Fitting Room Friday: How to Dress a Tweenager

Today's Fitting Room Candidate is clever, outdoor oriented, an animal advocate, and ten years old.

Meet Marli

Her doting parents adopted her at 18 months, and suddenly she's a stunning, sweet tweenager, with a sharply independent sense of style.

Her eyes narrow at the sight of skirts, dresses, leggings, and tights.  Stripes, dots, and even buttons irritate her fancies.  In short she's a juvenile minimalist.  An ensemble has been prepared precisely per her predilection.  

But first a petite canon of tween trousseau trusims.

Girls' Shoes by Western Chief

Girls' Tees by Gap

Girls' Tees by Crazy 8

Don't baby their fashion.

As their squishies begin to straighten, they're graphics should follow suit.  Instead of ridiculously round, chubby conceptions, opt for something leaning a few more inches toward realistic.  Don't throw whimsy out the window, but perhaps favor graphic over fussy.  Cute isn't off the menu, just apply it in small doses, like vanilla extract.  Rather than a whole dress of sparkly hearts, perhaps just an headband. Color is also important.  Also, soft, cuddley pastels need to fade in favor of a brighter, more saturated self-sufficiency.

And this is pure, unsubstantiated Reachel Bagley doctrine, but allow them to design their princess/rock star/future fabulista ensemble rather than shrouding them in a mass-marketed screen print.  Let them be the star of the outfit rather than the billboard.

Girls' Dresses by Gap

Infant Girls' Dresses at Nordstrom

Girls' Dresses by J.Crew

Kids' Watches & Jewelry by Children's Place

Don't Pimp a Prostitot*

They may have turned their shy lashes on a few lucky boys, but they're still just little girls.  Let them enjoy sweet rather sexy for a few more simple years of youth.  And I'd say more, but this guy already said it better. (*I admittedly pinched this headline from him.)

Girls' Skirts & Skorts by Boden

Girls' Skirts & Skorts by Hurley

Erego Miss Marli, this outfit is dedicated to you.  It includes no stripes or overly bright colors.  It admits only a tiny touch of animal whimsy and a discrete pattern on the socks. You are beautiful, wonderful, and special, and I hope I have a tween just like you someday.

Girls' Outerwear by The North Face

In the meantime, book a Virtual shopping session for you, for your progeny, for your next family frolic.  I was born to fashion childhood and the supporters of it.

How to Make your Kids Clothes Last Longer

Your assistance in our Coco petition, garners ample appreciation. something wondrous like:
5 Steps to Extending the Life of Clothe-lettes

Proceed with me to your retributed reward...

Step I) Buy High Caliber Clothes
You may erroneously assume that investing in dandies for your dickens is equivalent to stocking your wipey case with George's minted profile.  But you are wrong (hence erroneous).  And I will methodically address each of your arguments.  

1. Small people grow big too quickly 
   Better clothes include self-adjusting details. Multiple button homes on elastic waistbands or shoulder straps allow clothing to be purchased roomy and worn from season dawn to season set, if not the next season go-round as well.
2. Minors major in clothing destruction  Better clothes are made of better fabrics.  Tighter weaves proffer stain resistance, larger seam allowances protect against dropped hems, scientifically smartish blends stretch then rebound.  Give the fabric a tug, without compromising comfort you want a taut response.  A dense weave locks out potential stains.  Check the garment's innards, the seam allowances should be generous and reinforced.  Hems should never look malnourished.  Inventory the tag, if it's intended to stretch (ie a pull-on t-shirt) it should include a touch of spandex or lycra or similar.  Plain cotton will stretch, but it won't rebound, and Flashdance fashion should never be forced on juveniles.
3. Better clothes cost too much.  Quality is not measured in the number of digits on it's retail tag.  Buy the best quality you can afford at the lowest price you can find.  Filter through end of season clearance racks at the stores you wish you could shop at...and you probably can. Buy for next season, then catalog it away until it is time to wear.  Check thrift and second hand shops, if they made it for a second go round, it may last longer than brand new disposable clothing.  Always, always, consider cost per wear

Step II) Dress for the Occasion
My babies dine in diapers.  Their petal soft skin is far easier to polish clean than their clothes are.  While this technique may not be appropriate for your ten-year-old, prepare ensembles for activities with clothing pollution potential.  Make smocks, aprons, or pre-stained items available for painting, grass rolling, cooking, etc.

Step III) Refashion Outgrowths
Cut back on giant arm syndrome by rolling the sleeves.  Layer a thin cotton underneath. Make what you already have work.  Winter's wool trouser may blossom into wee tween short pants.  A-line dresses make natural tunics and what was originally donned as this year's denim skinnies may evolve into summer capris and can even be selected for boot tucking next winter.  Evaluate how you can refashion what you already have before you buy your next season of inventory.  

Step IV) Cross-Dress
This button-up was intended for Baby Boyfriend's fall collection, but while we waited for him to sprout a few lb's and "'s, sister enjoyed it for a few summer frolics.  If there's little chance of it wearing out, buy it in a gender neutral color.  White onesies and socks know no gender boundary.

Step V) Wash Less, Quickly
If you want to obliterate the Winnie-The-Pooh coveralls that Grandma gifted your darling, wash them.  Wash them every time you pass a dirty look at them, because washing is the fastest way to break fibers down.

Conversely, the fewer times you have to wash an item, the longer it will live.  Step two's occasional dressing will aid your wash resistance and so will the liberal wielding of your wipey case. Wipeys aren't just for diaper debris.  Those and their wet rag cousins can remove all kinds of unset stains.  Address baby spits, toddler dribbles, and the like as soon as they land.   


In short, if it isn't stinky or soiled, put it back in the drawer.  If it is dirty, treat it as soon as possible.  If you don't have a load to launder at hand, apply stain remover and a quick warm water soak to ensure the stain doesn't set.  When you're ready to wash,  use a quality detergent to support clothing longevity.  If your detergent is efficacious in one wash, you've saved yourself at least another wear.

And I'm not done thanking you, next post I'll address how to dress your tween.

In the meantime, book a Virtual shopping session for you, for your progeny, for your next family frolic.  I was born to fashion childhood and the supporters of it.

Men's Fashion: Bowtie Tutorial

Anyone with an eye on Levi knows how much I love a dapper, dandy bowtie.  Thanks to lovely, sweet, and talented Missus Marilyn for the elegant instruction on how to make these masculine frills.

These bowties are rather easy to make, so don't be over-whelmed by all the pictures.

I'm a visual learner so I tried to take a picture every step of the way.

Are you ready?

The main part of the bow tie

consists of two rectangles of fabric.

The larger one is 6" by 9",

the smaller one is 2" by 4".

If you haven't already ironed the fabric

now is the time to do it!

Next you cut and iron on interfacing to both

rectangles on the underside of the fabric

following the interfacing packaging instructions

cutting the interfacing to rectangles slightly

smaller then the fabric to avoid

bulky seems later on.

Set the smaller rectangle aside for a while.

Fold the larger rectangle in half the long way

and sew with interfacing on the outside.

Open to reveal fabric side and iron with

seam in the middle as shown below.

Bring the long ends together with seam on the outside

and sew for the 2nd time.

Fold the new seam inside and iron again

with seam in the middle.

Cinch the middle and hand stitch

or glue with hot glue gun.

I have done both and found that gluing

is much faster and still looks good.

Now take the smaller rectangle, fold in half long ways

and sew along side like you did with the bigger rectangle.

Turn fabric out and iron with seam in the middle.

Before stitching the smaller rectangle to the middle

attach elastic to back side of bow.

Once again, you can either hand stitch

or glue to complete this step.

Make sure when you measure the elastic

you give room for a collar so it's not too tight around the neck.

Before you're done attach the Velcro.

And there you are!

Notice I have two different sizes.

The measurements I posted above were for the

bigger bow tie which fits boys ages 3+.

To make a smaller one cut the fabric to

7" by 5" and 1 1/2" by 3".

Also, notice I added an extension to the smaller bow tie

below to allow easy adjustment for growth.

Happy sewing!

Easter Postmortem

How was your holiday?  Did it involve hats and gloves?   

Babies Everywhere Giveaway

Easter approaches.  If L'Enfant is without dressings, never fear, a Giveaway is on hand. 

Le Details
The crushingly cute Lia Molly Schooner Dress for your lil darling.

• By Lia Molly
• 100% Cotton
• 12-18 Months(fits large)
• Machine Wash Warm, Dry Flat
• Retail Value $88.00

To win, show me that said dress would be put to good use.  Assure me that it would be properly accessorized and appreciated.  In other words sample me your infant styling portfolio.

In the meantime, I hope you too are feeling great:

<a href="http://www.cardiganempire.com/search/label/Children%27s%20Fashion" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.reachelandrew.com/Cardigan-Empire//cardigan-button-wee-stylist.png" /></a>

While fashion rules are made to be broken, the breaking of contest rules will only result in disqualification Firstly, Adhere the adjacent button to your blog.  Or tweet, blog, or facebook about the contest. Secondly, Click on the "Click here to enter" link below. Thirdly, In the "Link it to:" section, leave a link to a post which features your well styled wee Miss or Mister. (note-the whole post doesn't need to be about the ensemble, it just needs to include it) Fourthly, In the "Caption or Title:" section, elaborate concisely on your baby ensemble inspiration. (ie-saturday park frock) Fifthly, wait for the winner of the Babies Everywhere Giveaway to be announced Friday, April 22nd.

Boy Frocks and Blessings

So this weekend brought Baby Boyfriend's blessing. And perhaps you predicted a taut fashion discussion.  Follow the  conversation transcript below:

Reachel Presents Option Uno: Smocking & Bonnet

Andrew Reviews Option Uno: Cross-dressing Cross Stitcher

Reachel Presents Option Dos: Loops & Buttons

Andrew Reviews Option Dos: Leprechaun with a Wedgie
(it was a touch short in length)

Reachel Presents Option Tres: Bowtie & Suspenders

Andrew Reviews Option Tres: Baking & Bowling Codger

THE COMPROMISING RESULTS

The Wee Governer wore Mister Bagley's choice to church - option three -minus- the cap

For the open house, Baby Boyfriend donned Mother's choice - option two +plus+ the bonnet

Thanks to Debsfreckles for outfitting me and my wee one from her vintage house.  Check her pretties out for yourself now!

What was your favorite ensemble?

Tomorrow, I have another something special to share with you!