Mini-Me: The Back-To-School Trend
If you are looking for back-to-school clothes for your children this year, don't be surprised to find racks filled with shrunken-down versions of the same clothes you and your spouse are wearing. It's a trend the fashionistas call "mini-me."
Althea Craword of Earnshaw's, the trade publication of the children's fashion industry, says the trend is so extensive that a lot of the adult manufacturers, like J. Crew, DKNY and Marc Jacobs, are designing clothes for children these days. On The Early Show Monday, she arranged a fashion show to demonstrate the different styles that are hot for children these days.
The Russian Look: Coming right from the adult runway, this trend calls for a lot of jewel tones, velvets and brocades, boots, fur trims, pattern mixing black, gold and floral designs, embroidery and Russian designs, like the stacking doll. The girl's outfit shown included:
- Fur-trimmed jacket by BG Beautiful Girl, $79
- Russian stacking doll T-shirt by Little Mass, $40
- Skirt by Little Mass, $72
- Boots by Michael Kors (Miss Vanessa), $99
- Tights by Trimfit, $3.75
- Hair accessories by Faigie/Wallflower, $17.50 for soft headband and $20 for fur clip
- Bracelet by High IntenCity, $5
Camouflage: It's hot this fall for babies all the way up through adults. Camo prints can be found in infant sizes through adults in all color combinations like the traditional Army greens as well as baby blue, pink and sand.
Orange is the new color for boys. It's used on everything from socks to jackets and pants. The days of huge, oversized clothes and "destroyed" washes are gone; fashion is headed for the cleaned-up, tailored look. The boy's outfit shown included:
- Blazer by Hickey Freeman, $325
- T-shirt by Shilav, $20
- Jeans by Quiksilver, $44
- Shoes by Skechers (skeptic), $39
Premium Denim: The pricey denim that women, and even men, have been coveting for years, is available in children's. Most premium denim brands have children's components. It's a total "mini-me" look in that it's the same cut and wash as the adult styles, just sized down. However, the price tag is still just as hefty, so it's not for everyone. The good news is that the same look can be found across all prices and stores. The girl's outfit shown included:
- Tank and tee by Disney Couture Baby by Mighty Fine, $45 and $50
- Jeans by Seven for all Mankind (Bootcut Miami), $121
- Shoes by Little Laundry (skye), $60
- Hat by Faigie/Wallflower, $45
- Hair accessories by Faigie/Wallflower, $12.50
- Bracelet by High IntenCity, Disney Fairies
- Leg warmers by Country Kids, $10
Victorian Look: Another trend stolen from the runway, this style features lace detailing, ruffles and a "pretty" look. It's available from baby sizes to pre-teens. The girl's outfit shown featured:
- Black velvet shrug by Betsy & Babs, $46
- Black velvet and lace skirt by Betsy & Babs, $46
- Chiffon tunic by Sally Mack, $57
- Boots by Michael Kors (Miss Snowflake), $99
- Headband by Faigie/Wallflower, $22.50
Skulls: This is a style that owes its popularity to Angelina Jolie. She dressed her daughter in one, it was immortalized in a Madame Toussard exhibit, and now it's hot. Some putfits are in Goth black and others come in whimsical patterns and colors. It is often paired with a military look featuring epaulets and brass buttons. The outfit shown included:
- Jacket by Quiksilver, $58
- T-shirt by Kingsley (Jaxson), $46
- Cords by Wes & Wily, $30
- Shoes by Skechers (Turbulence), $39
Bubble Skirt: Volume is key in women's wear this season. Similarly in kids, bubble skirts continue to be popular into fall. Charlie Sheen has even gotten into the act with his debut kids' wear collection, Sheen Kidz. Sheen has said that he was inspired by his little girls in entering the apparel arena with longtime friend Michael Berens, who is an apparel veteran. The collection follows the vibe of how moms in Southern California dress. The girl's outfit shown featured:
- Long-sleeve top by Baby Phat by Parigi, $28
- Bubble skirt by Sheen Kidz
- Boots by Pazitos (Alexis), $84
- Hair accessories by Faigie/Wallflower, $12.50
- Tights by NowaLi, $18.95 to $19.95