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It’s a given that fashion choices change with the times. While in your teenage years you wore jeans promoted by Brooke Shields, today’s teenagers might wear Beyonce’s Dereon clothing. It can be easy for busy parents to prioritize other aspects of life over their children’s fashion needs. After all, they need food, a roof over their heads, a solid education and extracurricular activities. Where does fashion fit into all of this?

Fashion and Social Relationships

Thinking back to your childhood and teenage years, you might remember the social pressures you faced. The need to belong is strong for children and adolescents, and fashion plays a big role in that. Adolescents are accustomed to being judged by their appearance. Being dressed in Dereon clothing, wearing the coolest shoes and sporting a haircut that doesn’t scream “last year” is important to children. Staying on top of the brands and latest fashion trends may not be the most important aspect of parenting, but it does play a role in your children’s social adjustment.

Paying Attention and Asking Questions

One of the best ways to stay on top of the latest fashion trends is by speaking to your kids. Ask them to tell you which designer labels appeal to them. Flip through fashion magazines together. Window shop in malls and ask them to point to the clothes they love. Pay attention to the fashions worn by your children’s friends when they come for a visit.

Keep an open mind when it comes to children’s choices in fashion, and if you strongly dislike a particular style, find comfort in the knowledge that it won’t last forever.