Fashion for children

'Tis the party season again! Weddings, rooftop BBQ parties, picnics, and what not. While you pick outfits for yourself for these social gatherings, especially weddings, engagement and birthday parties, as a parent, you also have to select clothes and shoes for your young child.  

Dresses never go out of fashion, they just don't. This season, dresses with glitter and sequins are in for little girls. A dress with a black terry top with all-over glitter and a chiffon skirt with pleats can be a timeless partywear for your five-year-old.  

There are also some things that you can do at home without making much investment. For instance, you can sew beads and rhinestones on your child's simple-looking dress to transform it into a partywear. A handful of rhinestones around the neck of a dress will change the way it looks, but do not overdo because you do not want your little girl's dress to have as many stones as your kurta does. Keep it simple and tasteful!  

Go for shades like white, off-white, navy blue, gold, black, and red when choosing your girl's party outfit. A red-gold-black fit-and-flare plaid dress with a bow around the waist will look equally good on a toddler as well as a 10-year-old. To make a sleeveless or short sleeve dress fit for a cold evening, simply pair it with a soft, fine-knit shrug or cardigan.  

The nights are cold, so if your child is attending a dinner, a pair of tights are a must -- they also add elegance to a child's outfit. 

A pair of black tights will go great with most dresses. Black shoes are also an essential item to a little girl's wardrobe! Black shoes with glossy upper are in fashion and they are perfect for any formal event. Heels, high or low, are a no for little girls as they are not only bad for your child's growing feet, they also make your child appear older than her age. Opt for flat shoes for your girl. Flat shoes with glitter, pearl, or rhinestone upper will look adorable on her little feet. 

Your little girl's outfit will look incomplete 

without some fancy hair accessories. Headbands, pins, and jaw clips with sequins, pearls, crystals, and stones will add a nice glitter to her hair. If her hair is long enough for braids, make braids and add beads - she will bag tons of compliments for this simple yet fun hairdo.  

Although many mothers do, but you seriously do not need to take your daughter to a beauty salon for a hairdo. Most of the time, the salons make your little girl look like a teen. Besides, hair styling products should not be used on young children. Your daughter will enjoy many, many years of adulthood in the future, so right now, she does not really need to look like her mother in appearance. 

Also, no make-up for small girls -- makeup makes little girls look older than their actual age. Mental health experts state that make-up, tight clothing, high heels, and fancy hairdos often lead to "hyper-sexualisation" of children, and that parents should think before dressing their young daughters. 

Do you have a little boy at home? If yes, and you are looking for ideas to dress him for the next party, know that your options are probably not as varied as they are for your little girl. But your young fellow can garner compliments and praises from everyone by donning a pair of trousers, or even a denim, and a solid-coloured vest over a full sleeve plaid shirt for the next party. A bow tie and a pair of shiny black shoes will complete his look. 

A black or navy blue blazer over a white or light blue full sleeve shirt will be good for a more formal occasion like a close relative's wedding. It may also be a good time to invest in a complete suit for your boy, or even a tuxedo. But remember that a tux and bow tie will perhaps look better on a 9-year-old boy than a toddler, who will perhaps become bored of a formal outfit after a couple of hours. So, think twice before making an investment in your child's suit.  

For small boys, a clip-on tie is always the better option, as they cannot stand wearing a regular tie for too long. For small boys, go for pants with an elastic waistband, as they are comfy. Black shoes go great with most outfits, but it may be a good idea to keep a pair of brown shoes handy, too. For big boys, a belt is a must-have. A pair of dress pants worn with a blazer but without a belt might make people wonder if something is missing. 

Last but not least, shop for your children's clothes, shoes and accessories keeping in mind their actual age.  

By Wara Karim
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Anshi, Suhaina, Aliza
Wardrobe: Le Reve Kids
Location: Kids Paradise, Block-B, Jamuna Future Park
Shoot coordinator: Isha Yeasmin