Keeping Up with the Teens: Fashion Issues

Being the Mother of a grown daughter with two boys and a son with three daughters I'm an old hand at the fad issues. Even in the "old days", the fifties in my book, we had our fads. Yes, Bobby sox, saddle shoes, Poodle skirts, Sheltland sweaters with a circle pin, pink button down shirts and chinos was the look of th eday. I was right there with LaVerne and Shirley. I'm a Dinosaur. I'm history. It makes me laugh to think that now that look can be a Halloween costume.

When I go shopping with the grand kids or pick them up at school I can't believe the high fashion looks the young kids have. Not just the teens, my granddaughters are only 4, 6 and 11 years old. I'm sure their outfits cost more than any of mine.They each have to have their Uggs, their North Face Jackets, their tye dye, and we're just talking clothing not Webkins. You don't want to know how many Webkins they have. That are is Ty Beanies gone mad. None of the Moms here learned from that fad. Shopping gfr these kids is crazy expensive. I see the Vuitton purses I can only hope they are knock offs

The brand Abercrombie & Fitch, is very important. The shirts have to have the Moose on the chest. If you've ventured into Abercrombie stores you are familiar with the outrageous prices. A simple little shirt can run you $40.00 and we're talking kids that will out grow this stuff in a season. Luckily ,with three girls, there is a lot of handing down of clothing so my daughter in law can kind of figure dollar cost averaging. Limited Too is another trendy brand. They sell everything from shoes to underwear and everything in between. Again, extremely expensive, even when they are having sales but I see the Moms in that store stocking up like crazy with no thought to the prices. I've always been frugal and very practical so although I will pick up a gift certificate to this store for the girls for Birthdays or Christmas I personally would never just put together a wardrobe for them there.

TJ Maxx and Marshall's carry a lot of big name brands at nicely reduced prices and they have a very comfortable one month return policy. I've seen Lilly Pulitzer there as well as Abercrombie, 7 For All Mankind jeans, many top sports brands and great shoes and pocketbooks. Ralph Lauren can always be found there as well but that isn't a trendy teen brand. No Uggs but yes look a likes. Merrills, yes and a good selection at that. The tags will show you the retail store price and the TJ or Marshall's price.

As I said I'm frugal, I hit garage sales and even resale shops. I brought my oldest grand daughter to a resale shop with me and she had a ball. We found lots of Abercrombie for her and probably didn't break a twenty total. I get Senior Citizen half price on Wednesdays as well. Can't beat that. The garments are in good condition, not to say you shouldn't check for stains or tears and the prices are fabulous, $1.50 for a nice Abercrombie placket front shirt can't be beat. I live in an affluent area so garage sales are wonderful for hunting down big name items. I got my son a North Face jacket for under $5 in mint condition. I can afford to go into a big name store and buy full price but I just find it goes against my grain.

I often watch television with my oldest granddaughter and I'm amazed at the outfits the teen gals wear. Is this representative of most teens and pre teens? I don't think so. I figure it's more a Hollywood thing but the kids watch and want to copy their favorite stars look. It's a challenge if you're a Mom. Whether or not you like it kids want to look "in" and always have. Very few are willing to march to a different drummer.

The Gap is still in the running with a bit of Old Navy thrown in, there will always be a child with his or her own sense of style or the child that is the the trendsetter but it's still a inwith the in crowd mentality for teens and tweens and Abercrombie & Fitch or whatever the new hot brand is that will get the raves. You can help your child look sharp and still keep the budget within limits.