Clothing accessories can freshen up an outfit and expand a wardrobe to make it appear your child has more clothes than he or she actually does. Accessories are also an ideal way for younger siblings who may receive a lot of secondhand clothing to express their own unique style. Although there are far more accessories available for little girls, there are a few for boys as well.
Top Clothing Accessories for Your Child
Although the accessories you can potentially find are as limitless as the time you have to shop, there are a few tried-and-true favorites that seem to work particularly well. You can find these items in gently used clothing stores, thrift stores, accessory stores like Claire's or Justice and at big box retailers like Wal Mart and Target. You can also find a large selection of kids' accessories online.
Hair Bows and Headbands
Nothing can change the look of an outfit more than adding a colorful and fun hair accessory. From bows to headbands, accessories for the hair can range from simple to elaborate. You can find ones with sparkles, beads and crystal accents. Some fun hair accessories include:
- Reflectionz Girls Fuchsia Grosgrain Hair Clip: Found at Sophia's Style, this cute hair clip is done in a flower design. It comes in bright pink and has crystal accents. Best of all, it is priced under $8.
- Glitter Butterfly Headband: Claire's features this red ribbon covered headband with a rainbow colored butterfly. It is priced at just $5 and will look great with a variety of fashions.
Belts
A unique belt can help dress up a pair of old jeans and allow your child to add personal style to an ensemble. Belts come in a range of styles from solid colors to polka dots, neon colors and animal prints.
Hats and Scarves
Scarves and hats are best worn in the cold weather months and work well with a range of fashions, though straw hats are great for warmer weather. They are a great way to add a trendy element to an otherwise plain outfit. A simple long-sleeved T-shirt or sweatshirt takes on a fresh look when a colorful knitted scarf is tied loosely around your child's neck. Keep in mind, though, that young children should never be left unsupervised with any item that can present a choking hazard.
Stylish Shoes and Boots
Shoes and boots can create a fashion statement. Within reason, try to allow your child to choose his or her own footwear. Some kids will stick with what all the others are wearing, but a brave few will use the opportunity to show off their sense of style with something different and eye-catching.
Funky Socks
Basic white? No way! There are so many different colors and styles of socks and leggings that they can really add some flair to an outfit. A basic black skirt suddenly becomes stylish when paired with long leggings that have the appearance of laced-up sneakers. A good example of a fun and funky sock is:
- Candy Cane Tights: These cute tights, found at Kids Socks, are done in red and white stripes. They are made from nylon and priced around $6.
Jewelry
Jewelry is always an excellent choice to add a different look to an outfit. Pretty headbands and hair scarves could be easily included in this category. Big earrings, necklaces and even bracelets can create a new look for your child.
For the Boys
While most boys won't enjoy wearing accessories with their outfits, there are some items that do tend to appeal to boys of all ages. For example, a cute baseball or newsboy hat or a colorful fleece scarf can be worn in cooler months to add both interest and color to a plain jacket or sweater. In addition, socks and shoes can add a trendy touch to a plain pair of pants or jeans. A trendy tie can add new life to an ordinary dress shirt and add a special touch to a classic look.
Add Some Fun
Adding accessories to your child's clothing collection is a great way to freshen up worn or tired looks. You can add pops of color and fun simply by switching up what accessories are being worn. Children of all ages will enjoy a new accessory or two that reflects the current trends of the season.
