Top Children’s Fashion Trends for 2018

You're never too young for fashion, and today's teens and tweens know exactly what they want. Children's fashion trends change quickly though, so parents be forewarned – kids are dressing themselves to the latest and greatest fashion trends, and there may be an information gap. Parents who may think themselves stylish and up-to-date may be considered woefully old-fashioned by their twelve-year-olds. 2018 will be a very diverse year in children's fashion, ranging from edgy urban wear, to retro hippie.

The "mini-me" trend

The old days of adorable sailor suits, cute animal prints, and tees with "Mommy's little princess" written on them are out. Children's fashion trends are moving towards a more adult look, and the good news is that children's trends are more closely mirroring the trends of the latest adult fashions. In fact, Dolce and Gabbana took the lead this year by introducing their children's wear collection called "Mini-Me," which features children wearing the same clothing as their parents. The trend was later followed by Dior and other major fashion brands, and will continue unabated in 2018.

Retro styles

There is no irony intended when little hipsters dress themselves in clothing which mirrors styles from before they were born. Tweens and teens are happily discovering fringe vests, vintage tie-dies, and breezy tops from India at the local thrift stores, and sometimes in the back of their Baby Boomer parents' closets. Along with a return to longer hair styles on boys, one might think it's still the seventies.

Street fashion and urban wear

The urban wear trend, heavily influenced by hip hop, has also caught the attention of the under-18 crowd. Urban wear is edgy and reflects an attitude of individuality, and this sentiment is approaching mainstream status and already penetrating the biggest fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan. But while the big designers are toying with urban wear, newcomers are coming onto the scene with new fashion brands dedicated exclusively to this trend – and many of them offer a children's line.

Fun and stylish jewelry designs

Continuing with the "Mini-Me" theme, tweens and teen girls are abandoning the cutesy little-girl look in jewelry and embracing a more grown-up theme, with sterling silver in big demand, and jewelry reflecting each girl's personal fashion identity. "Best friend" necklaces are trendy for besties, and In Season Jewelry has a new line of these gorgeous trinkets. Jewelry trends for 2018 will be towards more personal designs to match the outfit and personality. Teen girls embracing the retro style may pair that Indian top with a half dozen bangle bracelets, while the urban girl looking towards hip hop as a style guide will look for heavier chains and bling.

Little glamour

Parents who grew up in the '80s and '90s may remember the Grunge fashion, a collection of mostly androgynous and unstylish clothing items with a punk influence. But kids today aren't going to want to wear flannel shirts and Doc Martens – they're looking for a little more of a fashion statement. Sarah Jessica Parker, well known as a fashion diva from her character Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City series, teamed up with GapKids stores for a limited-edition children's collection in 2018, marking a big comeback for Gap. Ms. Parker's Sex and the City character always looked stylish, had the latest fashion styles and had a penchant for buying $500 shoes (on a freelance writer's budget, no less). We can't wait to see what Ms. Parker has in store for her kids' fashion line when it is released in the spring!

The next generation of boys embrace color

Boys are no longer afraid to experiment a little when it comes to fashion, and next year's Monsieur Dior boy's collection takes us past the age of dungarees and tee-shirts to a range of bright colors and softer materials. It was just a few years ago that boys' clothing styles were less trendy and revolved around traditional classics and jeans, but they have moved on to a whole new world. Sturdy clothing once bought by mothers for their boys for durability more than good looks are out – and teen boys in 2018 are more interested in making a fashion statement of their own.

PLEASE keep all discussions relevant to fashion, textiles, beauty products, or jewelry.

Follow the Fashion Industry Network Rules.

It is always a good time to review fabulous fashion.

 

Hot topics of possible interest:

  Thank you for using the Fashion Industry Network.  Have you helped another member today? Answer questions in the forum. It brings good luck.