Fashion is one of those consumer goods that oftentimes mark a rite of passage in the life of a child. Leaving childish outfits and cutesy knee highs behind, suddenly fashion models and their names become part of your child’s vocabulary. This usually happens more often with girls than with boys, but do not be deceived! Even boys will – at least covertly - care about fashion and the way the other boys are dressing. Why else is there an entire generation of young boys who are wearing pants three sizes too big for them which are buckled underneath their behinds, rather than around their waists? It could not possibly be for a lack of mirrors!

Yet parents need to understand that this newfound interest in fashion is a healthy extension of the sense of self expression each child must continuously develop not only to fit in with their peer group but also to help them shape the person they are becoming. Naturally, the slavish adherence to the utterances of fashion designers who sometimes design clothing that is so uncomfortable that one wonders who would possibly buy such things is not such an expression.

Parents must be vigilant when it comes to fashion design – such as it is displayed in a fashion magazine – and help their children make sense of what they see. Fashion modeling is somewhat of an art involving smoke and mirrors, and what you see is very often not what you get. The fashion news is filled with stories of underweight models that are unhealthy, drugged out, and weight obsessed. Similarly, sometimes the latest fashion trends are simply inappropriate for younger children to wear, in spite of their being marketed to the children.

When you speak to your children about fashion, explain about air brushing, a healthy body image, proper fitting clothes, the fact that a fashion designer’s label does not guarantee good quality, and of course the fact that a fashion show lasts only a few minutes whereas their wearing of the clothes will last an entire day. With this in mind, when discussing men’s fashion and women’s fashion with your child, stress quality clothes over fads, frugality over extravagance, and age appropriate dress over the latest trends. When you thusly ensure that your children become educated consumers, they are less likely to fall for the latest gimmick that someone may try to sell them, and in bringing up a discerning consumer you will have succeeded in not having to endure a child who insists on designer label clothes for everyday wear in third grade.