Finding that right outfit for a child or teenager should be easier than ever this holiday season, whether you’re looking for fresh ideas or traditional ones.
“What’s going to be big is activity-inspired sportswear,” predicts Loretta Falkner, the senior vice president of merchandising for Gadzooks, which has 11 Chicago-area locations. “There’s participant activewear–something Michael Jordan wears–and there’s spectator activewear. Clothing with stripes, with reflective tape. This is something most kids don’t own today, so it’d be perfect for parents or relatives to buy for someone.”
Gadzooks is offering denim jeans ($36 to $55), nylon pants ($30 to $45), T-shirts ($18 to $26) and sweaters ($28 to $44) showing the “active” influence. For something a little more traditional, there’s the always-dependable T-shirt, with a twist.
“There are a lot of new ideas, lots of interesting characters,” Falkner says. “The tattoo influence is converting itself into some interesting designs. And the kids are responding.”
For more formal traditional clothing, there’s Jacadi, located in Water Tower Place.
“We’re like a boutique of French designer children’s clothing,” says co-owner Rom Slimak.
Jacadi has clothing for children from birth to 12 years, and Peter Pan collars, embroidery and a classic European look are the order of the day. Dress coats or parkas run from $60 to $180, dresses from $60 to $120, embroidered rompers from $50 to $80, snowsuits from $60 to $100, and layettes from $30 and up, Slimak says.
The Children’s Place, with clothes from newborn to size 16, also leans toward the traditional–and colorful.
A new collection, “High Lights,” features luxurious yet practical holiday fashion items. For example, for girls there’s a red plaid jacket with faux fur collar and cuffs and satin lining ($26 to $30); it comes with a matching skirt ($14 to $18). Or a red plaid jumper (18 months to 5 years, $18) that goes nicely with a polyester/spandex velour body suit ($12).
Another eye-catching item is a faux fur jacket in orchid ($34 to $40) that looks fabulous over a boucle sweater ($20 to $24).
For that special toddler, The Children’s Place has a blazing red 1940s swing coat with faux snow leopard collar and cuffs (sizes 3 months to 24 months, $38).
Putting together an ensemble for the well-dressed boy? How about a ramie/cotton/acrylic chenille sweater ($24 to $28), plaid shirt ($16 to $20) and corduroy pants ($18 to $22).
The Children’s Place has 14 Chicago-area locations.
At That Added Touch, 333 S. State St., animals are in this year. Coordinated outfits by Tickle Me feature tops and pants in animal patterns–zebras, giraffes, elephants and so on. They’re priced at $40 to $42 an outfit. Another popular item is a corduroy vest for boys or girls decorated with musical or holiday designs ($37 to $49). Something a touch more upscale is a leather jacket trimmed in sequins ($150).
Looking for something a little more relaxed? How about apparel featuring favorite cartoon characters?
The Disney Store, with 16 Chicago-area locations, can outfit a kid in a sweatshirt ($16 to $28), basic T-shirt ($12), pocket T ($12), rugby shirt ($24), infant sleepers or jumper outfits ($18 to $24) or two-piece outfits ($22 to $26). All the items feature Disney characters.
At the Warner Bros. Studio Stores, with five Chicago-area locations, Bugs Bunny and friends decorate embroidered T-shirts ($16 to $18), sweatshirts ($30 to $36), denim jackets ($45 to $65), sweatpants ($22 to $26) and more.
