Oh my gosh. It's time again to shop for back-to-school clothes. And according to OshKosh B'Gosh Inc., there's always a market for kids clothes, no matter if the economy is up or down.
"Overall, children's clothing accounts for $23.2 billion in retail sales annually," says Barbara Widder-Lowry, vice president of product development for OshKosh B'Gosh. "And parents are specifically shopping for value, quality and versatility."When it comes to style, it's important to know what's hot and what's not. Surfacing frequently in kids' clothing collections are denim overalls, shirts and pants; plaid and hooded shirts; henleys (button-front, collarless, long-sleeve tees); vests; baby doll dresses with over-the-knee socks; thermals; hiking boots and sneakers.
Colors range from natural tones to brightly hued palettes. Emphasis is on texture, layering and loose-fitting silhouettes.
While designers of kids' clothes have included these trends for fall '94, their creative approaches identify their collection. Here's a look at some of the possibilities:
- For fall '94, OshKosh for girls provides plenty of pattern mixing with plaids, florals and gingham checks. And there's an abundance of feminine detailing - eyelet hankies, embroidery, appliques, lace trim and handkerchief collars.
For boys, colors are rich and styled with an emphasis on varsity sports and the rugged outdoors - classic plaid flannel shirts sported with bibs or jeans, and plenty of sporty fleece.
"Hoods are everywhere this season," says Widder-Lowry. They're on shirts and pullovers for older boys as well as on jumpsuits and rompers for younger ones.
And OshKosh's Lassie collection of boys' and girls' separates includes classic denim jeans, bibs and jumpers as well as baseball cardigans and sweatshirts that feature "Lassie Adventure" graphics and an embroidered Lassie patch.
- Kids R Us, "the world's biggest clothing store just for kids," announces that since natural tones were big this spring, the company has carried them into the fall line. In addition are great new colors such as hunter, green, navy and burgundy.
Also look for thermal knits, denim, silky rayons, suede, flannels and other fabrics that make the rich fall colors appear even more vibrant.
- J.C. Penney's trend watchers add the following to the back-to-school checklist above:
For him, flannel that has been brushed, washed and ready to layer over other clothing; the cargo pant full of pockets and workwear details; cords that are a little looser and wider; the stove-pipe jean with a fuller leg; and a zip-front shirt-jacket in canvas or flannel.
For her, the vest is the key layering piece. Also layers of tights, socks worn over the knee and doubled anklets; the big white shirt; a pleated mini or flippy skirt; a baby doll dress with an Empire top over bike shirts or with over-the-knee socks.
- Kmart's fashion team's back-to-school list for boys includes T-shirts, shorts, sports hats, baseball shirts, short eddies, fleece tops and sports outerwear featuring cartoon characters and/or pro and collegiate sports teams; cargo pants and/or carpenter pants; rugged hiker and utility fashion boots; glow-in-the-dark and lighted athletic shoes; basic five-pocket denims and colored denims; and turtlenecks.
For girls: plaid flannel tops with drawstrings and hoods; T-shirts with cartoon characters; coordinated knit sets in bright colors; leggings and stirrup pants; denims - five pocket, button fly, brushed, colored and fashion-styled; dresses and jumpers in plaids and solids; glow-in-the-dark and lighted athletic shoes.
- Mervyn's trend flash-announces that kids have had enough of the unisex look. According to Laura Russell, divisional merchandise manager for Mervyn's children's department, "Young girls and juniors are returning to the cute, feminine styles like kilts, flippy skirts or slip dresses with a fresh and fun mix of texture, styles and layers that are all worn together."
Of course, some girls will opt for palazzo pants, overalls and suspenders. And clunky footwear. Don't be surprised to find girls wearing dresses and skirts with sneakers and hiking (and work) boots. "That's part of the mixed styling trend of the '90s," Russell says.
Clothing styles for boys take an unexpected trip back to the 1950s: textured bowling shirts with stand-up pointed collars, check patterns or striped prints and elbow-length sleeves; the baggy, oversize Kramer shirt with a front pocket and half or full zipper or button-front detailing. Kramer, of course, is a character from the television sitcom Seinfeld.
- Faded Glory's clothes are denim-driven and detail-oriented. For girls: jeans with workable zippers; hooded shirts color blocked with coordinating plaid inserts; and baby doll dresses slipped over thermal leggings with lettucelike edging on the ankle cuffs.
For boys: shirts in brushed patchworks, flannel plaids and denim trims; pants with oversize pockets and logos on back pockets; knits with reverse French terry; and canton fleece pullovers with hoods.
- Bonjour Kids' back-to-school collection includes mix 'n' match choices that are neither too young nor too sophisticated. Tops coordinate with a range of bottoms, making the collection totally interactive.
Boys gear up for school in color-blocked shirts made of multiple fabrics like denim and flannel, stone-washed jeans, printed textured knits and brushed twill shirts and pants in choice fall colors.
For girls, embroidery jazzes up cotton jersey tops adorned with hoods and drawstring waists. Shorts and miniskirts are covered with flirty floral prints, strong solids or sturdy denim.
- Cherokee has lots of fashions for little and big boys and girls.
For big girls (sizes 7-14), the company's buzzword is "corduroy"; it's so soft and comfy to wear. Also attracting attention is Cherokee's 100-percent cotton sweaters in cropped, tunic, cardigan and vest styles.
Cherokee's fashions for big boys (sizes 8-20) focus on sports and street-inspired casual wear - 100-percent cotton fleece separates; colorful crew neck and polo style pullovers decorated with stripes, team logos and elbow pads; and hooded, sleeveless fleece vests.
One of Cherokee's cutest outfits for young girls is an embroidered denim bolero jacket and matching tiered skirt worn over a long-sleeve white top trimmed with rosettes.
- Limited Too is introducing back-to-school '94 fashions for girls. The company's designers say that girls want complete statements, authentic graphic and great colors.
Other trends Limited Too has picked up on are jeans in a host of blue washes and bright colors; sneakers with high-top canvas uppers and oversize rubber soles; kilts to wear with white shirts or sweatshirts; and thigh-high "sockings."
- Spumoni's collection for girls is filled with comfortable, casual sportswear. Signature elements include storytelling prints, patchwork fabrics and needlepoint designs. New this season are some innovative printing techniques and fun, trendy junior-inspired silhouettes that take the company's classic designs into new territory.
- Laura Ashley's Durham collection for girls is permeated with classic indigo and red separates; traditional dresses in signature florals; and sportive tartan duffle coats for those hopscotch games during recess.
Back-to-school merchandise for the younger set arrived in most stores in mid-July. And there's no better time than now to shop for trendy kids' apparel and accessories.