StartingaClothingLine.com - News Edition: Teen Fashion - Style and Trends

Teen Fashion - Style and Trends
================================================================================
StacyL on 02/05/2009 11:53:00
 
Teen Fashion - Style and Trends
Teen fashion is about making a statement – or making lots of statements at
the same time. Like teen music, it’s loud, full of life, and won’t always
make much sense to Moms and Dads. Skinny jeans, dark blue denim, leggings, and
plain tops, shirts, and skirts are big. But iPod and cell phone skins have made
patterns fashionable for teens, so expect to mix these basics with highly
patterned clothing, and even boots, sneakers, and accessories.
Nike has just teamed up with Liberty of London to bring out a range of
basketball boots for girls with white uppers printed with “sweet florals”.
These densely packed, small (‘ditsy’) floral prints, make these classic
sneakers hip and modern again. They can be worn with everything from jeans and
T-shirt to a floral dress. With their white laces, soles, and white showing
through the print, these boots look clean. And clean and fresh are essential
when it comes to teen fashion.
Like Nike, apparel and sneaker design company Pinkdice has also adopted a
classic textiles print (in this case gingham check) for its sneakers, mixing it
with perforated PVC, and an embroidered dice motif. The gingham comes in a
number of colors, from black to yellow, but it is always mixed with white.
You’ll also see check elsewhere, such as on belts, braces, and even one new
black and white Lacoste jacket. More complicated plaids are also used for
lightweight dresses as well as the occasional shirt, jacket, and pants.
White T-shirts and dresses might be embellished with sequins. White and
light-colored blouses might use crinkled fabric, pleats, lace, and ruffles to
give them an extra dimension. Look out for striped T-shirts in white and pink,
white and yellow, or white and light blue. For darker T-shirts expect to see
cleverly arranged geo prints, with motifs denser in one area and spreading out
across the garment.
For an edgier look, teens will be wearing T-shirts with slogans written large
over patterns and textures. Quirky motifs and ironic graphics such as famous
fizzy drink labels, peace signs, hearts, and old rock band-type images will also
be printed on plain color T-shirts. Skulls and college or medieval-type shields
are still going strong (especially for boys). And these can also be used for
girls’ apparel, but if so, again, think quirky: motifs might be scaled down or
cut off at the seams. Apparel company Vans has just brought out a range of
sneakers, all with geo prints at the top. But one black pair also comes with a
skull pattern that runs diagonally – it’s that twist that makes it cute, not
scary. Street wear such as hooded sweaters uses print, but expect to find
patterns on the inside of the hood, with other motifs running up the arm.
But, remember, when designing for teens, mix patterned with plain color
garments. Pattern can go on tops or bottoms, but not both. Textiles print should
vary in scale, and should not always cover every part of a garment. And don’t
forget to include a few classic details such as washed denim, or lace for girls.