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We live in a celebrity-obsessed culture, and tweens and teens are no less afflicted than grown-ups.
Young girls have style tastes that rival their parents'. They're wearing $120 jeans before they even hit the fifth grade. And designers have discovered the benefits of marketing premium goods to younger and younger consumers.
"Once everyone realized that tween and teen girls had cash to spend, they, of course, began targeting products to them," said Ellen Warwick, author of Planet Girl lifestyle books. "But a lot of the products are scaled-down versions of adult things. You end up dressing 13-year-old girls in the clothing of 25-year-olds."
Some celebrities are even the same age as their fans. That's why some girls view their favorite star's style not as something to aspire to, but as something they can and should imitate, Warwick said.
So, in a world of Olsen twins and Duff sisters, how do you keep your little girl from turning into a fashion plate ahead of her time? Maybe you set strict standards of dress. Or maybe, you satisfy her fashion cravings with a few of the following age-appropriate solutions:
"Paper Fashions" (Klutz, $19.95): This line of activity books for 7- to 14-year-olds challenges the young and style- focused to release their fashion tensions on paper, which is a lot more cost-effective than shopping for the real thing. The kit comes with mini wire hangers and paper "material" in a variety of patterns. Stencils help girls cut out tanks, camisoles, ball skirts and handbags. Glue, beads and ribbon are included to embellish the paper creations.
"Sew Teen: Make Your Own Cool Clothes" by Sheila Zent (Sixth & Spring Books, $17.95): If you really want to save money, invite your young fashion fiend to sew her own clothes. You'll foster her creativity and maybe even a potential career. It will take patience, but this book gives tips on measurements, fabric cutting and sewing techniques. Each design comes with a shopping list and how-to's broken into steps.
"Stuff to Hold Your Stuff" by Ellen Warwick and Bernice Lum (Kids Can Press, $12.95): Once she's made all those great outfits out of paper or cloth, your girl will need something to hold them. This book from Warwick's Planet Girl series walks readers through instructions to make their own carryalls --- from wallets of duct tape to a nylon yoga mat holder. There's even a tote made entirely of ties. Budding beauty queens
American Girl Holiday Dream Big Bag, $39.50: American Girl and Bath & Body Works joined forces to create treats to help every girl look and feel her best. A berry-colored bag filled with strawberries- and-cream-scented shower gel, lotion, fragrance and more helps girls learn about beauty in a fun and inspirational way. The kit also includes a mesh shower sponge and a "Real Beauty" pamphlet full of games, quizzes and more. It's available at Bath & Body Works and American Girl stores nationwide.
Barbie Pink Eau de Toilette gift set, $13: You would think Barbie's day had passed by the time a girl hits her tweens, but the ultimate symbol of girlhood keeps growing right along with her fans. Her holiday fragrance gift set includes a clip-on coin purse in the form of a pink and white bear with a "spray me" patch on the chest. Attach the bear to a favorite bag, and the scent of flowers and citrus travels along. Available at mass market stores nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Kmart and Walgreens.
"Glamour Gurlz" by Joanna Schlip (Clarkson Potter, $19.95): This step-by-step guide to teen makeup, from celebrity makeup artist Schlip, offers age-appropriate everyday looks and those for evenings out. The looks are interspersed with celebrity appearances from the likes of Solange Knowles (Beyonce's little sis) and Ashley Tisdale, of "High School Musical" fame. There are also encouraging messages that range from the importance of a positive attitude to having "fla'va." (that's tween-speak for individual style.)
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
