Monday 6 February 2012

Fashion for 8 Year Olds

All too often the girls section leaves me wishing I was smaller.

Then I discovered Marks and Spencer and realised that some things in the girls section were big enough for a grown-up, who hasn't really grown-up in taste.

Much of Marks and Spencer's 'Older Girl' range is in sizes up to 16 years old. These aren't for tiny little girls either. I wear a size 8-10 in UK sizes (about a US size 6-8) and often find that the 13-14 year old range fits me fine. The faux fur coat and sequin skirt I wore for New Year's Eve (seen below) are both a size 13.  I'm more than double this age.


I bought the coat over a year ago, thinking it to be very Marianne Faithful, circa 1964. There were similar ones that looked more like a snow leopard or a Yeti this year.


In shoes, I wear a UK size 5-6 (US 7 1/2-8). In girls Marks and Spencer shoes, I wear a size 4-5. The bedazzled ballet flats below are looking forward to being worn with summer dresses and jeans and were £14. There are a non-bedazzled version on the website, if you find the bling tacky.


Why should you consider the childrens' section?
1. It's about 30-50% cheaper than an adult range.
2. The quality is just as good and often slightly better than the adult range. Kids clothes and shoes are made to be worn by children running in mud, climbing trees, never ironing them and generally ruining them. However, these same children are bought these items by parents who want the items to last. Manufacturers often use slightly thicker fabrics, reinforce the seams and generally make sure that the quality is good with children's clothing.
3. If you don't like to reveal too much skin, head to the girls section. Most parents don't want their daughters looking like a pop star. 
4. Even if you're not small enough for the clothing or shoes, bags aren't any smaller because they're in the girls' section.

It's true that a lot of the clothes in the childrens' section are designed for the tastes of an 8 year old. But a lot of them are also designed for the tastes of their parents or a slightly older child.

If I go into any clothing store, chances are, there are maybe about one or two things and often nothing that I might actually consider buying at some point. It's not really any different with the kids' section.

This is obvious, but I should mention that the selection is vastly superior in a big store and is much more extensive than what is available on the website.

Do you buy anything from the kids' section? Any kids' sections that you recommend?

P.S. This is not a sponsored post. I've just enjoyed items I've purchased from the girls' section at Marks and Spencer.

3 comments:

  1. I definitely get jealous of kids clothing! Unfortunately being wide of hip and on the larger busted side I have never been able to fit them, but I love the items you have!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh i know - I too always check the kids section in stores! Though I`m not as petite as you are, I often find fun accessories and pretty bags there)

    >'.'<

    ReplyDelete