Stylish Kids: How to Fashionably Dress Your Kids

Stylish Kids: How to Fashionably Dress Your Kids #stylish kids #fashionable kids
Stylish Kids: How to Fashionably Dress Your Kids #stylish kids #fashionable kids

There is nothing cuter than stylish kids, but how should you dress them? This ultimate guide teaches you how to fashionably dress your kids. (Image Credit: Bess Hamiti/Pexels)

Having well-dressed, stylish kids does not mean chasing trending designer labels. It doesn’t mean your kids cannot have fun for fear of ruining their outfits. Conversely, kids outdoor clothing doesn’t have to be unfashionable. If done correctly, your kid’s wardrobe can be both stylish and durable. This means putting together a serviceable wardrobe that is comfortable, looks good, and brings out your children’s best qualities.

Like adults, kids like to feel good about themselves and their appearance. They want to be accepted by their peers. Help them to feel like part of the group — and perhaps even be envied — for the way they dress and their sense of style.

Putting some effort into getting your kids’ ensemble into good shape pays dividends when you’re out and about together or as a family. Your kids will feel good in your company yet happy to be expressing their individuality through what they are wearing.

There’s an art to dressing kids fashionably. Let’s look at ways to achieve looks that work.

Avoid Identical Clothing

It’s best to be clear right from the start. It is a huge fashion faux pas to attempt to make your kids into miniatures of yourselves.  Just don’t.

You can go for similar themes, e.g., blue jeans and sneakers for both adult and child, but vary the shirts, jackets, and headgear or other accessories. Avoid dressing your kids in the same colors you’re wearing. It shows a distinct lack of imagination, and style pundits will not approve.

Similarly, for same-sex siblings, do not make them wear identical clothing. They will not thank you now or in the future. Trust us on this one. While it has been a trend on and off for years, the disadvantages to your children’s development far outweigh any convenience you might experience when shopping for clothes for them.

Comfort Wins Over Style

Trendy clothes for kids are great for special occasions, but kids are kids, and they need to run and play, regardless of the event. When buying their outfits, take care to ensure their clothes are roomy enough to allow natural, free movement. The benefit is that your child will look better, feel better, and probably behave better.

Always get your child to try on the clothes in the dressing room. Make this a fun adventure, and listen to them when they say they don’t like something. Ask them why, and they’ll tell you.

Reasons most often given by kids are that the fabric feels unpleasant against their skin, the garment is too small, or they don’t like the color or pattern. These are all valid reasons not to buy the clothes in question.

Take Your Time

One of the worst things you can do is shop in a hurry, especially if it is to buy your kids outfits for a special occasion.

Schedule a weekend day to shop for clothes just for the kids. Resist the temptation to try on things yourself. Let your children know several days in advance what the goals of the shopping outing will be. For example, perhaps your son needs a new pair of pants or a pair of shoes, or your daughter needs a dress or pair of jeans.

By knowing in advance, your kids can think about it. You can even look online together beforehand at stores that have a physical presence in your town and check out what’s on offer. This will give you a good idea of upcoming trends and styles for kids,

Online browsing gives you the opportunity to talk to your kids about the clothing budget for the outing, and the need to make sensible choices.

While buying basics online is often convenient, buying in-store is much more interactive. You can teach your kids how to assess quality, and what to look for to ensure a good fit in a garment. Learning about matching and contrasting colors is also an education that is better done in-store.

One practical advantage of in-store purchases of kids’ clothing is that you can check if putting on or taking off items presents any difficulty for your child. This is important if they are expected to visit the washroom on their own.

Shoes

As with clothes, a distinction needs to be made between shoes for everyday use and shoes for “smart” occasions. Your children need to understand this and take care accordingly.

Accessorize

Scarves, hats, bracelets, belts, bow-ties, headbands, colorful laces for sneakers, funky socks, and sunglasses. All these things can be used to give that extra touch of glass to your child’s basic wardrobe. Accessories should be used in moderation; too many are not stylish!

As many as one in four children will need prescription glasses by the time they reach kindergarten. From a social perspective, this had had the effect of removing the stigma from wearing eyeglasses. Adults use sunglasses and spectacles as fashion items, so why not kids?

Kids trendy designer glasses can make a huge difference to your child’s self-esteem and confidence. What better way to show that you’re cool than by wearing something sassy on your face? Frames for eyeglasses now come in a range of colors and styles, and this is a perfect opportunity to let your kid pick something that suits their personality for everyday wear.

Be Weather-Wise

One of the basic rules of style is to wear clothes that are appropriate for the event or activity. Paradoxically, your child can stand out by wearing the same type of thing as everyone else, just with a little more creativity involved in their ensemble.

That pink princess-dress with the tutu or the smart pants with the funky-colored suspenders are not appropriate for a swimming party. Similarly, your child should dress appropriately for the season.

If the weather is unpredictable, be prepared to add a jacket or sweater to your kid’s outfit. Alternatively, if temperatures are likely to get warmer during your outing, make sure that your child’s outfit will still “hold together” if they remove outer layers of clothing. Versatility is part of style; it’s your job as an adult to ensure that your kid’s wardrobe has mix-and-match items to take care of changing weather conditions.

It’s a Question of Size

Kids grow. They grow out of their clothes, sometimes remarkably quickly. Growth spurts are hard to predict.

Many parents pick one size larger, hoping to make the clothes last longer. This is generally good advice, but be careful not to let your child look as if they are wearing an older sibling’s hand-me-downs!

A little extra room in clothing is fine. Making your child look smaller than they are in outsize clothes runs contrary to the wackiest concepts of what is stylish!

Conversely, discourage your child from wearing their favorite outfit if it really has become too small. Their movements will be restricted, and they will be uncomfortable. They may also become self-conscious because of it – and we all know that true style comes from looking and feeling comfortable in what you are wearing.

Fashion Is Fun

Stylish kids know that fashion is fun. Kids do develop a sense of style at a young age. With your help, they can grow and flourish in a world where trendy and comfortable can combine with the functional and friendly. And that is a mark of true style.

Martin Maina
Martin Maina is a professional writer and blogger who uses his expertise, skills, and personal experience in digital marketing to craft content that resonates with audiences. Deep down, he believes that if you cannot do great things, then you can do small things in a great way. To learn more, you can connect with him online.
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