Tween Magnets: Swimwear, Jeans, Bags and Shoes!

Looking incredibly sharp is important to tweens, who flaunt their style and eye each other’s stuff to be sure theirs is up to snuff. Girls love to be able to show off a new handbag, pair of shoes or bathing suit cover up and bask in the compliments they get. After all, for the time being, it is all about them. Here are some brand recommendations for cool clothes and accessories made to help young girls feel like they belong: 9’s Swimwear, !iT Jeans, LUV Footwear and m.adonia kids.

9’s Swimwear Makes Fashion Waves

The big news from 9’s Swimwear is that their impeccable fit and innovative designs are no longer just available for tweens in the 7-16 market, but are now available also for girls 4-6x. 9’s uses top quality materials so suits and beachwear last. New looks include ombre print meshes, delicate silver pois dot meshes, embroidered Italian polyamide, Austrian voiles and more.

A short skirt beach cover-up with a white ground and pale multi-floral design can complement a two-piece ruffled suit in coral, white or fuchsia. The bottom is available with a single layer of ruffles, or ruffles covering all. As part of the hot one-shoulder trend, 9’s offers a sassy, asymmetrical one-piece with scalloped edge elaboration available in either black mesh with silver pois dots and black Lycra lining or white mesh with silver pois dots and white Lycra lining.

For modest tweens that still crave fashion, the one-shoulder look is also available in a one-piece suit. Another trendy option is a bandeau style one-piece from the Over the Rainbow group with a ruched front and halter straps that are removable for the oh-so-sophisticated option of going strapless, available in blue ombre mesh with a light blue Lycra lining or pink ombre mesh with a Hollywood pink polyamide lining.

For a skirt to toss on for that all-important trip to the food stand, display one with a side sweep and ruffle or a white sashed and strapless cover-up that works over any suit regardless of color. From the Anastasia group, girls will shine on wearing a ruffled triangle-top bikini with a side-tie bottom in black mesh with silver pois dot detail exterior lined in black Lycra. The suit also comes in white mesh with silver pois dot detail and white Lycra lining.

Dress and swim to the 9’s: www.9s-swimwear.com

!iT: Baby’s Got Her Blue (and Pink and Leopard) Jeans On

What do tween girls wear daily, seemingly ninety percent of the time? If you answered jeans and jeggings, you win! Most tweens practically live in their jeans and only give them up reluctantly if a special occasion demands it, so their requirements are very particular. !iT brand has a lineup of jeans and jeggings that beg for try-ons. Their stock washes include Early Afternoon: a dark denim wash ultra-skinny jean with sandblasting on the front and Block Waves, or jeggings in a dark wash, with a little lighter blue showing. Both come in 4-6x and 7-16.

Colored denims are “it” this year. Cerise (pink) and Tudor (plum) come in both 4-6x and 7-16, while Jewel (teal) is offered in 7-16 only; all in the ultra-skinny style this age group craves. Printed denims are also hot and !iT has a dynamo look in leopard, available in five colorways: red in 4-16; gray in 7-16 blue in 7-16; purple in 4-16 and tan.

New this season: jeans in very fine corduroy in vintage washes available in Roe, a salmon; Peacock, a beautiful aqua; York, antique blue; and Cognac, tan. Cords are ultra-skinny and come sized 7-16 only.

French terry jeggings will be a hit in luscious Spearmint, Chili Pepper, Black, Gray (a true charcoal) and Olive. All are offered in 4-16, except Olive which comes in 7-16.

Never a company to forsake a classic, !iT is also making boot-cut jeans. One model is very clean with only a simple back pocket; the other garners attention with a flap back pocket embellished with a leopard embroidered on the back pocket. Both come in 7-16. Skinny roll-ups (4-16), with a narrow fit that’s not quite as leg-hugging as the ultra-skinny can also be worn rolled up or down.

Back by popular demand, lightweight jeggings that are comfortable for year-round wear are available in two colors: Blue Jay, a dark wash with a hint of brightening; and Blackbird, a solid black.

!iT brands has taken an aggressive stand on lowering their pricing to be economically friendly. The new collection offers a large range of the most popular silhouettes combined with special washes. Their jeans and jeggings are totally on-trend, pair well with a great variety of tops, and are wardrobe staples for the young girl set.

Jeans for tweens: www.itbrand.com/kids

LUV is a Shoe-In

When it comes to shoes, flats are high on tween girls’ lists. Versatile, they look equally right dressed up or down and go with outfits ranging from jeans to party dresses. LUV is a new brand on the block that steps it up in style, comfort, and design versatility.

The LUV ballerina flat embodies a classic silhouette with numerous riffs on color and pattern. The EVA sole is lighter-than-air and offers easy-care; just hose or wipe it with a sponge for a bright, good-as-new appearance. The upper section is full-stretch Lycra, heralded for also being light, with superior breathability.

Another option and great seller has uppers of patent PU, that looks exactly like pricey patent leather. LUVS won’t fall off the foot and are anatomically shaped to support it, providing a secure fit that is incredibly comfortable as well as protective of young toes, thanks to a special design in the EVA toecap. These ballerinas have an almost invisible feel, as each pair weighs only 3.6 ounces.

Butterfly, featuring winged creatures both inside and outside the shoe, comes in orange, red or black. A Multi-stripe with either a turquoise or black sole and toe cap answers the perennial “it needs to go with my blouse” situation with a clean, contemporary look. Metallics in gold or pewter are sensational neutrals that pair well with dressy clothes or lend panache to everyday jeans.

Pin Dot is a classic LUV style while the Signature Print is made of oodles of doodles. When girls’ feet are wrapped in the colorful Rainbow print, they’ll walk with a spring in their feet. Some styles are further embellished with rhinestones for added kicky sparkle.

Love those LUVS: www.luvfootwear.com

m.adonia kids Handbags Carry What a Girl Wants

Nothing completes an outfit for a fashion-forward tween like the perfect handbag. The looks for young ladies from m.adonia kids are a spin-off from the adult collection, modified to appeal to little misses — small enough so they don’t overwhelm, but big enough for life’s necessities. The line, with all products made in the U.S.A., includes so many models your shoppers are bound to find one or more they can’t live without.

The selection includes barrel bags, coin purses, flat minis, mini kisses with a retro frame closure, mini totes and wristlets. Many models have Swarovski crystals added for that extra touch of bling for mini-fashionistas.

The Spirit of Tillbrook pattern shows three pink fairies sprinkling their magic dust on a peach ground with crystals on the pink handle. Owls is a vintage retro print in preppy pink and green on a white ground with Swarovski sparkle and a pink detail handle. Check out pastel Smitten Kitten, all pastels and pink or go cat-happy with multi Kitties with clusters of little pussycats at play detailed in blue. The super elegant Pearl is covered in strands of these gleaming white jewels with crystals.

Wristlets have a zipper closure with a handle strap, leather detail and a vinyl overlay to make the most of patterns including Ashbury Spice, Fairfax and Pink Polka dot. The Mini Kiss in ABC Ranch has denim detailing as well as crystals; a feminine approach to being home on the range.

Bag these for your shoppers: www.mandoniakids.com