The art of choosing children's clothes begins with knowing our children, considering our child's age in the selection process, and establishing clear communication.

For most young children nine and under, the process starts with color coordination and allowing children to have some say in the color selection of their clothes. Once the colors are chosen, the easiest way to stay within an age approach style is to comment on certain features of the garment or the presence of their favorite colors. For example, little girls often like smaller versions of what they see older girls or their mothers wearing. I have found that commenting on the adornments of a similarly colored item or a style that has some of the features that I know my child likes works well. It is also important to emphasize their uniqueness in style to avoid certain pitfalls in always following popular trends. Most recently, we have started making complimentary pieces to accentuate some of her favorite outfits and she loves her clothes. For little boys, the process typically centers around color and certain prints. It is also smart shopping to find clothes that are more durable in the event he likes to play rough in his clothes. Of course, knowing our children and building lines of communication are key.

At a little older age, it is important to employ the do's and don'ts of covering areas that should be covered at all times. A little more independence in choosing clothes is okay for adolescents and pre-teens as long as they follow the clearly defined rules. There are some styles that simply do not belong on young children. However, this season there are great styles that fit within most parental guidelines of skin coverage and kids' preferences for contemporary style. At this age of easing into more independence, parents should still maintain some say in what their children wear. A good negotiating tool is to limit allowances if rules are not followed.

As our children grow into their teenage years, the consistent principles instilled early-on should remain a key factor in building their wardrobes but adjust with their developmental changes and maturity. It is not always so easy to convince our teenagers that all clothes are not appropriate in all situations and that what they wear says something about them. Remind them that the images they see in magazines and on television are just that - images. Encourage them to embrace their individual style and not substitute their individualism for fads and trends. Remember as a parent that we must establish and maintain open lines of communication at an early age in order for there to be room for compromise in choosing our children's clothes as they grow into young adulthood.

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