Casual Clothing for Girls Buying Guide

Even girls at private schools have weekends, which means it's time to break out the fun tops, jeans, and sandals  or sneakers.  Clothing is about self expression, and little girls have a great time expressing themselves most of the time. It also depends on what they plan to do in the casual clothes: playing in the park, going to a friend's house, playing sports, going to the mall, going to the beach, no matter what it is, there are some basics that go with any situation, and some that work better for some activities than others. So it really depends on how much you want to spend, what she wants to wear, and where she wants to wear it. Of course, if the girl(s) you are looking to purchase clothing with/for don't have a school uniform, you also have to remember to get school-appropriate fashions that are also age-appropriate. With so many fashions available for girls, it's easy to get bogged down. Basically, start from the tops and tees, and move your way to pants and dresses. There are a lot of fun looks that girls can choose from, even including Hannah Montana  duds, and Dora The Explorer  themed items. Just pick a budget, stick with it, and have fun looking for the perfect looks that will blow her peers away.

Girls' Tops

Popular styles include:

• 2-in-1 top:  looks like a short-sleeve tee shirt layered over a long sleeve tee.
• Embellished tops: sequins, beads  or ribbons sewn onto the tops.
• Sporty styles: hoodies, henleys  and waffle weave are all important styles and textures.
• According to Target.com: Dora the Explorer, Bratz  and Hello Kitty  are the most popular characters for girls tops.

T-shirts  About.com's picks:Crib Rock Couture, Glamajama.  Polo shirts  (with collar) are a nice alternative to crew necks. Tye-dying tees  can be a fun activity.	Long-Sleeve Tops  Turtlenecks  are warm and look great under sweaters. Long-sleeve tees  are casual and fun. Try layering a long-sleeve top underneath a polo shirt or tee.	Tank Tops  Fun to layer colors. Buy tanks in sets--these inexpensive items are often available in multi-paks.	Sweaters  Cardigans  can provide ventilation. Crewnecks  sometimes mess up girls' hair. Cotton sweaters  can go through the wash.	Pullover Tops  Fleece  are fuzzy and cozy. Hoodies  are great for tomboys. Sports teams  are popular with girls and boys.

Girls' Bottoms

Popular styles include:

• Yoga  inspired pants: Have a roll-down waist and flowing legs.
• Slim legs: Derived from the trend in women's denim towards a more narrow silhouette.
• Leggings:  Nice worn under a mini skirt or a long tunic sweater.

Shorts  Longer shorts (bermudas ) can be appropriate for school. Shorter lengths should be reserved for sports.  Turn a favorite pair of jeans that are now too short into denim shorts.	Jeans  Designers (seven for all mankind, diesel,  etc.) offer name brands for the kiddies. These can cost more than $100. Have at least a pair or two of inexpensive Gap  or Levis  on hand for messy days.	Skirts  Skorts  are a nice alternative for active girls. Tights are a good idea on chilly days. Denim skirts can work with many different tops.	Casual Pants  Track pants  with stripes on the side are very trendy. Pull-on,  elastic waist yoga pants are great for fitness activities. Cotton sweatpants  are cozy for lounging in after school.	Cargo Pants  These come in a variety of colors and fabrics (from floral  to satin ). Kids love them for the relaxed style and all the pockets. Look for cropped  versions in summer and lined  versions in winter.

Feeling Sporty

Today's girls are participating in more sports than ever before: gymnastics, squash, cross-country running and yoga are a few great ways for girls to get fit! According to the  National Federation of State High School Associations, these are the top ten sports for girls:

1. Basketball
2. Track & Field
3. Softball
4. Volleyball
5. Cross Country
6. Soccer
7. Tennis
8. Golf
9. Swimming
10. Competitive Spirit (cheerleading)

If your stumped for ways to encourage a young girl to get active, read the CDC guide.  The article suggests ways to get the whole family in great shape--it all starts with setting a good example, so parents you may want to buy your own pair of running shoes or inline skates. Below we've listed some general athletic gear for girls:

Leotards  Perfect for dance and gymnastics Come in a variety of sizes and colors. Leg warmers  can be useful for dancers. Dance tights  keep the muscles warm during workouts.	Swimsuits  One pieces are traditionally best for fitness swimming, though tankinis  are stylish and practical. Don't forget goggles  and a swim cap.	Sweat Suits  Warmups are needed in just about any sport: Runners can put them on over running shorts  and basketball players can pull them on over their jerseys  before tip off. Track suits  can be made of a blend of synthetic fibers or cotton.	Sneakers  Basketball shoes  tend to have ankle support. Running shoes  are lightweight and may offer arch support. Soccer cleats  help grip the turf. Tennis shoes  provide lateral support.

Dresses 

Dresses are appropriate for so many different venues, especially if your girl likes to dress up, or simply wants to wear dresses to school, play, etc.

Cotton Dress  Washable Great for school or play Dress it up or down depending on situation Lots of styles available for whatever her fashion sense might be	Sundress  Great for almost any situation, family gathering, school, play, or church Dress it up or down Lots of styles, prints and colors available	Skirt   For the girl who doesn't really like dresses Works in almost any situation Match with a tee or tank top Great for play or school

 Accessories

Sandals  Flip flops,  Hirachis, or tevas, sandals are great for summer, allow her to have fun at the beach, at home, or on the go.	Tote  Great for school or play Carries what she needs Lots of colors, patterns, and styles available to match her personal style	Hair Accessories  Her hair can have some fashion too So many different styles and colors available it could make your head spin!

Related Guides

Dress Clothing For Girls	Casual Clothing for Boys	Clothing for Kids

 Related Products

Girls Rainboots	Girls Towels	Girls Umbrella

External Links

• Girls Health: A government sponsored Web site aimed to get girls fit and active. Goal is to get girls moving for 60 minutes each day.
• Girl Scouts:  Their Web site offers some startling statistics and ideas to build girls' self esteem.
• Action for Healthy Kids: A nonprofit organization hoping to address the problem of overweight and sedentary youths by working with local school systems.