Up until this week I thought that wasn’t me. I’m a parent now, but I’m a hip parent. I watch MTV. I glance at the teen magazine covers. I read TMZ. I know what everybody’s wearing.

But then I found myself standing in the middle of the men’s department at Kohl’s and I realized, I have no clue what’s hot this year. Well actually I have an idea of what’s hot, but I don’t know why. All of these latest men’s fashions are ugly.

And that’s when I knew. I was one of those people thinking why would anybody wear this? I was one of those old people.

Everything has skulls on it. What is up with the skulls? What happened to a nice college sweatshirt. Or football tee. And everything is either black, gray or brown. What happened to bright colors? I like bright yellow, red or orange. Happy colors. Not colors of death.

But I don’t have to wear it. My boys do. And they want to wear what everybody else is wearing. Jeans with holes in them. Jean you buy with holes already in them. And sweatshirts with skulls on them. *sigh*

Since clearly I’m well passed my fashion prime, I spent the whole time at Kohl’s following these two young men around. I’d guess them to be around 20. They were there with their dad, but their dad was just doing what I was doing; following them around and letting them pick out the good stuff.

I listened to their conversations. If they said, “This is awesome. But it’s not in my size.” I snagged that sweatshirt. When they said, “This rocks.” I grabbed one of those shirts in my teen’s size.

And apparently it worked. My 16-year-old got to open his gifts on Monday night since he’s going to be visiting his mom for the break. And he LOVES his new clothes. I’ve never heard him be so enthusiastic about the clothes I bought him.

So going forward my shopping trips will start with me scouring the crowds looking for the nearest hip teen. And then following him around. Hopefully I don’t get arrested for stalking.

Post from: Blisstree

Shopping For The Perfect Teen Clothes

Being fashion challenged I had no idea what’s in these days. That is, until I had dinner with some friends last weekend and discovered all things 80’s are coming back in. I believe there was a noticeable groan coming from my direction.

I guess we knew this day would come. After all it was that long ago girls were pulling 70’s items from their parents closets and donning the high school hallways in *gasp* bell bottoms and hippy tops. But I firmly believe there is not one single thing from the 80’s that should ever come back in style. Except maybe leg warmers.

So what’s hot this year?

Huge Accessories. Girls are wearing big earrings, big sunglasses, big belts and carrying big handbags. Gone are the backpacks and in are big canvas bags and messenger bags. Girls aren’t carrying small purses anymore. Now they carry handbags that look like a piece of luggage. I’m ok with that as long as big hair doesn’t come back. (Please. I’m begging you.)

Skirts. Apparently skirts are the must-have item this year. Thank goodness I’m not a teen trying to be trendy anymore. I was never much of a skirt or dress girl. But girls today are loving the skirt. But be sure to choose a skirt that’s right for your body type.

Babydoll Dress. I blame MTV for this trend. Lauren Conrad and other MTV stars seem to be rocking the babydoll dress and teenage girls are quickly following suit.

Bold & Bright Colors. No more pastels. Now it’s all about the color. Whether it’s a cute feminine top or a vintage tee, the brighter the color the better. Look for vivid blues and purples as well as greens and yellows. Teens want to stand out this year.

Graphic Tees. The t-shirt is back. (Although did it ever really leave?) But kids don’t want just any kind of tee. They want tees with big bold graphics. And vintage tees are fly. (Do kids still say fly?) My teenage son has some Motley Crew and Metallica t-shirts in his collection. Too bad I didn’t keep my old Skid Row t-shirt from back in the day. And tattoo designs are hot. Not tattooed on your skin, but all over your clothes and shoes.

Hoodies. For both boys and girls. I can hardly believe it, but hoodies are hot. I blame Avril Lavigne for this trend. Apparently she even has her own line of skater hoodies that are quite popular right now.

Layering: Yes, the dreaded layering is back. When I was in high school I lived in leggings and oversized sweaters. And now, so will my kids. (I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.) Today’s teens are layering leggings under dresses, skirts, long tunics, babydoll tops and trapeze tops. The leggings should be a dark neutral color while the top should be a bright color like fuchsia or teal. Teens are also layering simple black dresses with big belts, scarves and cardigans. And don’t forget the importance of shrugs, vests, hoodies and blazers. Whenever you can layer, do it.

Dark Wash Denim. My drawer is filled with stone-washed denim. I’m going to be so out-of-style this year because the new trend is dark, dark and more dark. The style of jean isn’t as important as the color. From skinny jeans to boot cut, it’s all good as long as it’s dark washed.

Boots. Boots are making a comeback. While high heeled boots will never go out of style, flat ankle boots are starting to make a comeback. As are Lace-up boots.

Flats. Flats are the hot thing too. Canvas flats and ballerina flats are stylin’ right now. (Am I showing my age here? Stylin’? Fly?)

Skater Inspired Shoes. Guys are digging the skater style; big, bold graphics, including the tattoo graphics, with big shoelaces tied loosely if tied at all.

What are your kids wearing?

Post from: Blisstree

Back-to-School Fashions

She soaked, filed, buffed and lotioned her hands then set out on painting them a silvery white. We applied two coats of silvery white polish and let it dry fully. Next she wanted a dark pink stripe right down the center of each nail. I did my best to make them all straight lines, but hey, I’m just a Mom – I don’t have the hand-eye coordination to make it perfect.  Once that dried we added the clear coat, and I can honestly say, that they look really good.

For the past year my daughter has begged for a salon manicure. When she first asked about it she was a big-time nail biter. I told her it was a waste of money to do a manicure with such short nails, but if she could stop biting them and grow them back out a bit, I would consider it as a treat. She has done a great job of not biting them, and they really do look good. I may just have to suck it up and take her as an end of school year treat in a few weeks.

What are your thoughts on teens and tweens getting professional manicures? Waste of money or a nice treat once in a while?

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Having Fun with Nails

Right now my girls love Limited Too and its’ sister brand, Justice – Just for Girls. The monkeys, sports graphic tees, fun prints, and trendy look has them by the purse strings. I have been trying to teach them that brand isn’t everything and how to save money by buying basics at Target or Kohls and getting 2 or 3 good pieces from the more expensive stores.

I know that before long they will “graduate” to wanting Aeropostale, Hollister and other brands – after all, it seems like yesterday, I was holding out for a good sale at Gymboree! Where is your kids’ first choice for clothes shopping these days?

Are you a bargain shopper or a trend setter? Can you still shop for your kids or are those days over?

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Fashion Conscious Tweens

Of course, there were a few things overlooked – like the fact that WearyParent is part of b5Media and that I am a co-author of the site, not the founder and a few other minor details, but overall I am very pleased how the article turned out! And, a mention in the New York Times – well, that is huge!!!

Thanks again for helping us make this such a fabulous community for parents raising tweens and teens!! You all rock.

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We Made the NYTimes

My 9 year old daughter is becoming very fashion aware this year and spending a lot more time in front of the mirror, taking note of celeb styles, and caring what her friends are doing as well. At least twice this past year she has asked about getting her hair highlighted. I have always said no, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic!

If you have let your tween daughter get highlights, extensions or other hair treatments, how much do you allow? Do you pay for them or does your daughter? Do you do the treatments at home or in the salon? Do you feel pressured by your daughter to let her have them done?

If you don’t allow the treatments, I’d love to know why. Does your daughter want to get them done because her friends have them? Is there an age where you feel hair treatments are okay, or occasions where they are fine?

Up to this point I have always told my daughter no. I just feel like she has her whole adult life (and her own money then) to be creative with her hair. I get highlights put in my hair – but didn’t do so until I was in my late 20s. I might reconsider when she is in high school, but for now, I’d just like to keep her a little girl as long as I can.

Image from Flickr 

Post from: Blisstree

Does Your Tween Have Highlights?

The package came in the mail on Wednesday – two magazines and two books (more about the books later – let’s just say they are wonderful). My daughter immediately snatched the magazines and ran to her favorite chair and settled in. She was so in to the magazines that I heard not one word for about an hour and then the silence was over. She had poured through the first magazine and was bubbling over with things to tell me and show me. She asked me to subscribe to the magazine no less than 5 times.

I was curious as to what was in the magazine that clicked with her so much and this is what I found:

• Real girls – the magazine features girls from a different state each issue who model for the photos, help write and edit the content and share their own experiences
• Age appropriate fashion and content – as a Mom I really appreciate the fact that the fashions throughout the magazine are really sensible, but trendy
• Topics that interest girls – from animal adventures to sticky situations that we all have encountered, the stories are relevant and written with tween girls in mind
• Its interactive. The magazine is full of quizzes and other pencil activities that girls love.

The Discovery Girls website is also wonderful. Its fun, age appropriate and very interactive.

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Discovery Girls – Perfect for Tweens

Get the look of Emma Roberts with a Palisades Stripe cami by Ella Girl. Chic enough for a red carpet premiere, but with the appeal of casual confidence. Two front pockets sit near the hem, which make it the perfect place to store your favorite lip-gloss! This rayon/spandex blend, make it the cute go-to party top that will leave all your friends envious. Also available in parfait/pomegranate, mist/rainforest, and pacific/black. ($59.00)

Walk on the wild side, or look like you just came from a safari with Splendid Girl’s remarkably identical piece, their Zebra Print Thermal. Now your tween can be red-carpet-ready in this adorable pima cotton/spandex blend thermal. Get the look that will make you a true show-stopper! ($53.00)

Both of these outfits passed the picky, tween fashion test in our house. The prices for the Ella Girl and Splendid Girl pieces are a little more that I would typically spend on my girls, but they certainly aren’t outrageous.

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Teen Celeb Fashions

But in the meantime, Teen Style Lounge showcases some very shiny homecoming styles in silver.

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Homecoming Style

Eleven year-old, Sammi Hanratty of ABC’s Pushing Daisies looked absolutely adorable in her Ella Girl fashions. (My daughter is 9 and loves that top!)

You might also recognize Sammi from her multiple appearances on Suite Life of Zach and Cody, iCarly, Santa Clause 3, That’s So Raven, and Pirates of the Carri bean, Dead Man’s Chest. Looking at her upcoming productions, Sammi is definitely one to watch!

Here she is again, signing autographs:

And with Kay Pannebaker:

Post from: Blisstree

Teen Celeb Style – Sammi Hanratty