In the News: Back to school cool

Megs · Aug 30th, 2007, 03:17 PM

Not only are the 'grown-ups' dishing out more money on designer clothing, but now kids are too. And this means that the kids parents are willing to spend money on designer clothing and handbags for their children to take to school. While a Jansport backpack was norm when I was in school, girls are now carrying designer handbags such as Coach and Louis Vuitton. While jeans look laid back and casual, a pair of True Religion jeans can run around $250. Designer shades, clothing, and accessories are being sported by tweens and teens, which means an entire generation of youth believes this is the way to go. This story focuses on the Orange County, California area, but this designer explosion is happening nationwide.

For those of you with tweens and teens, what did you send your kids back to school wearing? It is utterly ridiculous that 15 year olds have jeans that cost $250, sunglasses that cost $300, and a handbag that costs $500?

Many teens polled were prone to vying for designer brands just as much as any fashionable grown-up. Girls listed Juicy Couture, Coach, Chanel and L.A.M.B as favorite brands, in addition to traditional surf brands like Roxy and Volcom. Girls also said they favored Pink by Victoria's Secret as a more affordable alternative to Juicy Couture, with the line's comfortable, girly sweatpants and cutesy graphic tees. Seven for All Mankind and True Religion were popular denim brands.

Read the entire article at OC register

bvbirdygirl · Aug 30th, 2007, 06:47 PM

uh oh.. this article describes me perfectly

absolutanne · Aug 30th, 2007, 06:53 PM

I don't have children nor do I want any children. But it is completely obscene to have your daughters wear TR jeans and LV bags. For what?? So the trophy or soccer moms can compete with other moms-a like on who's daughter is more BOURJOUIS looking while they prance around with their $2000 Chanel bags that they didn't earn themselves?? If the daughters work towards their luxuries, THEN it is acceptable. Even that though, frivolous spending at early age is unwise of the parent. Not beforelong, these girls will grow up idolizing Paris Hilton and the like and their ambition is to be "heiress" or a class-less gold digger.

Hard work gains respect from others. Most importantly self-respect and dignity.

alexag · Aug 30th, 2007, 06:57 PM

as a teen my parents would never spend over $70 on a pair of jeans for me and sunglasses strictly have to be $15 or less unless I use my own money. I know a lot of girls who get things at places like tj maxx and marshalls, and regular stores always have sales.Nothing ike designer goods fro a discount.
For me handbags are a different stroy, but they are usually gifts and well earned.

It is kind of ridiculous how materialistic everyone is getting, you know there's something wrong when you see a 5 year old with a coach bag abd decked in semi-expensive clothes which you know will get dirty. most girls my age didn't start carrying any bag till 12 or 13.

Oh Donna! · Aug 30th, 2007, 07:00 PM

The Orange County Register! Well thats my old neighborhood! Ya gotta fit in in the OC, no matter what part it is. Its just an OC thing. My daughter was managing a Metropark for 2 years a long time ago. Thats when she bought the $250 jeans and $100 paper thin shirts. But she bought it with her own money, so I couldnt say a thing.

Funny, when she was in grade school my Mom bought most of her clothes, I CONSTANTLY got letters from her teachers and the principal asking me to stop dressing Nicole so nice cause the other girls were jealous. eeeesh. I dont think so. Nic has been the best dressed kid in school since the 1st grade!

br00kelynx · Aug 30th, 2007, 07:07 PM

Teenagers are so phony now, I can't even believe it.

ValleyO · Aug 30th, 2007, 08:25 PM

As a 15 year old, I absolutely don't think it's ridiculous to have nice things. Sure there are those who buy designers just for the name (as plenty of adults do), but there are also those (like me) who have a genuine passion for unique style and high fashion. Yes, I have a small selection of designer clothes (about a half dozen pairs of premium denim, some Marc Jacobs, a Burberry or Armani piece here or there, and my beloved new Galliano shirt) as well as some nice accessories from LV, Hermes, etc., but most of them them were purchased by me and those that weren't I received as birthday or Christmas gifts for which I forfeited other items. It is my decison to allocate the majority of my funds to clothes and accessories- if that's "ridiculous" or makes me a "phony" I apologize.

excentric920 · Aug 31st, 2007, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValleyOppressed

As a 15 year old, I absolutely don't think it's ridiculous to have nice things. Sure there are those who buy designers just for the name (as plenty of adults do), but there are also those (like me) who have a genuine passion for unique style and high fashion. Yes, I have a small selection of designer clothes (about a half dozen pairs of premium denim, some Marc Jacobs, a Burberry or Armani piece here or there, and my beloved new Galliano shirt) as well as some nice accessories from LV, Hermes, etc., but most of them them were purchased by me and those that weren't I received as birthday or Christmas gifts for which I forfeited other items. It is my decison to allocate the majority of my funds to clothes and accessories- if that's "ridiculous" or makes me a "phony" I apologize.

I am 15 aswell and this is almost exactly my situation.

gloss_gal · Aug 31st, 2007, 12:38 AM

I think uniforms in schools (she ducks you throw stuff at the computer), down to shoes and accessories included will help to stem some of the pressure. This is where kids spend the most time together.

As a teenager, I liked designer items so if you get it for yourself that is fine.

naughtymanolo · Aug 31st, 2007, 07:53 AM

VO, i am in the same situation as you (only 18) at my school we have uniforms, but in our country it is the norm. they are good in the way that you dont need to think about what u wear to school, its just get up and go. we are allowed few accessories, but i rarely bother i dont care what i look like at school its only outside of it that i do.

alatrop · Aug 31st, 2007, 09:14 AM

I believe that if you buy something extremely nice/expensive for your child at too young of an age, they won't appreciate them later on in life.

I appreciate designer things because I didn't have them when I was younger, and it's special to me to save up my money and buy something that costs a few hundred dollars.

As far as clothes? Designer clothes in general are kind of a silly concept to me. Higher priced stuff doesn't bug me as much, but when people start spending over $100 on a TEE SHIRT, that's....kind of wrong. I would never judge someone on how they spend their money, but in my honest opinion, i'd rather spend that $100 on something a bit more lasting than a trendy tee. (or velour pants, or whatever)

Couture_Girl · Aug 31st, 2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvbirdygirl

uh oh.. this article describes me perfectly

me too

Serayane · Aug 31st, 2007, 10:40 AM

I think if they pay for it themselves it's fine, but I'm amazed at how young girls nowadays already know so much about designers and luxury - I wasn't interested in things like that all until I was 17!
But parents need to teach their kids money management, because for example in Germany there are under-20s who are already in €10.000 or more debt because of expensive clothes.

theglamorous · Aug 31st, 2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by br00kelynx

Teenagers are so phony now, I can't even believe it.

It is so true. I cant stand helping them when they come to my work.

Pursegrrl · Aug 31st, 2007, 01:14 PM

Wow! i sure do remember the pressure in junior high and high school (actually it started around 5th or 6th grade with me) on fitting in and keeping up with trends. I remember the day very vividly (I'm sure my Mom does too) when I told her I wanted a couple pairs of designer jeans that the other girls were wearing and wasn't happy picking a lot of my clothes out of the Sears catalogue any more!!

By the time I got to high school, my neighborhood got rezoned and I started there maybe knowing only 25 people out of my class of 350 or so. I was now at the high school all the "rich kids" were at but ironically everyone really dressed 'down'...very casual, preppy or even granola! Keep in mind this was the early 1980s...my sophomore year all the girls were wearing levi's 501s (guys' style), Bass penny loafers, a turtleneck with a crew neck wool sweater over it and a short string of pearls! I don't even remember what kind of bag I had if any.

Aug 30th, 2007, 03:17 PM	#1
Megs Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 21,603	Not only are the 'grown-ups' dishing out more money on designer clothing, but now kids are too. And this means that the kids parents are willing to spend money on designer clothing and handbags for their children to take to school. While a Jansport backpack was norm when I was in school, girls are now carrying designer handbags such as Coach and Louis Vuitton. While jeans look laid back and casual, a pair of True Religion jeans can run around $250. Designer shades, clothing, and accessories are being sported by tweens and teens, which means an entire generation of youth believes this is the way to go. This story focuses on the Orange County, California area, but this designer explosion is happening nationwide. For those of you with tweens and teens, what did you send your kids back to school wearing? It is utterly ridiculous that 15 year olds have jeans that cost $250, sunglasses that cost $300, and a handbag that costs $500? Many teens polled were prone to vying for designer brands just as much as any fashionable grown-up. Girls listed Juicy Couture, Coach, Chanel and L.A.M.B as favorite brands, in addition to traditional surf brands like Roxy and Volcom. Girls also said they favored Pink by Victoria's Secret as a more affordable alternative to Juicy Couture, with the line's comfortable, girly sweatpants and cutesy graphic tees. Seven for All Mankind and True Religion were popular denim brands. Read the entire article at OC register __________________ Sign up for our August Giveaway sponsored by: Kara Ross

Aug 30th, 2007, 06:47 PM	#2
bvbirdygirl <3 dance! Joined: Aug 2006 Location: california Posts: 6,854	uh oh.. this article describes me perfectly __________________ My Collection Updates Pics of my LVs!

Aug 30th, 2007, 06:53 PM	#3
absolutanne in love with Chanel. Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,075	I don't have children nor do I want any children. But it is completely obscene to have your daughters wear TR jeans and LV bags. For what?? So the trophy or soccer moms can compete with other moms-a like on who's daughter is more BOURJOUIS looking while they prance around with their $2000 Chanel bags that they didn't earn themselves?? If the daughters work towards their luxuries, THEN it is acceptable. Even that though, frivolous spending at early age is unwise of the parent. Not beforelong, these girls will grow up idolizing Paris Hilton and the like and their ambition is to be "heiress" or a class-less gold digger. Hard work gains respect from others. Most importantly self-respect and dignity. __________________ Finally got my PPW 2006 6MT 350Z! Saving for: Black w/ Gold Caviar Jumbo + Fuschia bifold Bearn in Chevre Mysore + 30cm Gold Clemence Birkin w/ GH + 32cm BJ Togo Kelly Retourne w/ PH + 25cm Vert Chartreuse Swift w/ PH + 30cm Etoupe Clemence Birkin w/ PH

Aug 30th, 2007, 07:07 PM	#6
br00kelynx <3 Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Southern Cali Posts: 972	Teenagers are so phony now, I can't even believe it. __________________

Aug 31st, 2007, 07:53 AM	#10
naughtymanolo FYI I am a guy Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,729	VO, i am in the same situation as you (only 18) at my school we have uniforms, but in our country it is the norm. they are good in the way that you dont need to think about what u wear to school, its just get up and go. we are allowed few accessories, but i rarely bother i dont care what i look like at school its only outside of it that i do. __________________ ...I guess behind the orange curtain its not so bad...

Aug 30th, 2007, 06:57 PM	#4
alexag Member Joined: Feb 2007 Location: New York Posts: 292	as a teen my parents would never spend over $70 on a pair of jeans for me and sunglasses strictly have to be $15 or less unless I use my own money. I know a lot of girls who get things at places like tj maxx and marshalls, and regular stores always have sales.Nothing ike designer goods fro a discount. For me handbags are a different stroy, but they are usually gifts and well earned. It is kind of ridiculous how materialistic everyone is getting, you know there's something wrong when you see a 5 year old with a coach bag abd decked in semi-expensive clothes which you know will get dirty. most girls my age didn't start carrying any bag till 12 or 13.

Aug 30th, 2007, 07:00 PM	#5
Oh Donna! Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,061	The Orange County Register! Well thats my old neighborhood! Ya gotta fit in in the OC, no matter what part it is. Its just an OC thing. My daughter was managing a Metropark for 2 years a long time ago. Thats when she bought the $250 jeans and $100 paper thin shirts. But she bought it with her own money, so I couldnt say a thing. Funny, when she was in grade school my Mom bought most of her clothes, I CONSTANTLY got letters from her teachers and the principal asking me to stop dressing Nicole so nice cause the other girls were jealous. eeeesh. I dont think so. Nic has been the best dressed kid in school since the 1st grade!

Aug 30th, 2007, 08:25 PM	#7
ValleyO Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 11,094	As a 15 year old, I absolutely don't think it's ridiculous to have nice things. Sure there are those who buy designers just for the name (as plenty of adults do), but there are also those (like me) who have a genuine passion for unique style and high fashion. Yes, I have a small selection of designer clothes (about a half dozen pairs of premium denim, some Marc Jacobs, a Burberry or Armani piece here or there, and my beloved new Galliano shirt) as well as some nice accessories from LV, Hermes, etc., but most of them them were purchased by me and those that weren't I received as birthday or Christmas gifts for which I forfeited other items. It is my decison to allocate the majority of my funds to clothes and accessories- if that's "ridiculous" or makes me a "phony" I apologize.

Aug 31st, 2007, 12:38 AM	#9
gloss_gal Member Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,429	I think uniforms in schools (she ducks you throw stuff at the computer), down to shoes and accessories included will help to stem some of the pressure. This is where kids spend the most time together. As a teenager, I liked designer items so if you get it for yourself that is fine.

Aug 31st, 2007, 09:14 AM	#11
alatrop GO TIGERS! Joined: May 2006 Location: Ohio/Michigan Posts: 1,770	I believe that if you buy something extremely nice/expensive for your child at too young of an age, they won't appreciate them later on in life. I appreciate designer things because I didn't have them when I was younger, and it's special to me to save up my money and buy something that costs a few hundred dollars. As far as clothes? Designer clothes in general are kind of a silly concept to me. Higher priced stuff doesn't bug me as much, but when people start spending over $100 on a TEE SHIRT, that's....kind of wrong. I would never judge someone on how they spend their money, but in my honest opinion, i'd rather spend that $100 on something a bit more lasting than a trendy tee. (or velour pants, or whatever) __________________ BANNED (got my BlackBerry AND was bad on eBay...)

Aug 31st, 2007, 10:40 AM	#13
Serayane Lost! Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Hungary Posts: 295	I think if they pay for it themselves it's fine, but I'm amazed at how young girls nowadays already know so much about designers and luxury - I wasn't interested in things like that all until I was 17! But parents need to teach their kids money management, because for example in Germany there are under-20s who are already in €10.000 or more debt because of expensive clothes.

Aug 31st, 2007, 01:14 PM	#15
Pursegrrl Oh no she di-int!! Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 13,537	Wow! i sure do remember the pressure in junior high and high school (actually it started around 5th or 6th grade with me) on fitting in and keeping up with trends. I remember the day very vividly (I'm sure my Mom does too) when I told her I wanted a couple pairs of designer jeans that the other girls were wearing and wasn't happy picking a lot of my clothes out of the Sears catalogue any more!! By the time I got to high school, my neighborhood got rezoned and I started there maybe knowing only 25 people out of my class of 350 or so. I was now at the high school all the "rich kids" were at but ironically everyone really dressed 'down'...very casual, preppy or even granola! Keep in mind this was the early 1980s...my sophomore year all the girls were wearing levi's 501s (guys' style), Bass penny loafers, a turtleneck with a crew neck wool sweater over it and a short string of pearls! I don't even remember what kind of bag I had if any.