Esther:

Tip #2: Figure out what the current fashion is, so you can shop smart and save time.

I know it seems like a no brainer, but before you can go about dressing your children, you have to decide what that means.

If you're already howling in protest... If you prefer classic, non-trendy clothing, and like to defy the laws of Vogue, rest easy. All of those things are actually fashionable choices these days. There are 7 billion people on the planet and enough styles for everyone.

But fashion is fun!

After hours of perusing French websites, cursing google translator, reading up on dizzying style blogs and generally just immersing myself in all things fashion...

Here is a handy list and visual to keep in mind while you're shopping those thrift stores and children's resale shops.

Children's Fashion 2010-2011 in a nutshell:

Chunky knits
Organic textury fabrics
The juxtoposition between classic and new.
Funky Wellington boots.
Puffy coats in bright colors.
Gray is the new black...doesn't overwhelm a kid so much.
Plaid

































And don't forget....let your kids be kids. They'll be teenagers soon enough, no reason to dress them up like mini ones right now. (As I'm off to see if I can recreate that Harry Potter-esque outfit for Jamie). Ahem