Casual Clothing for Girls Buying Guide

As the popular 1980s song says, " Girls Just Want to Have Fun!"  Sometimes dressing down can be the best way for girls to blow off some steam, get exercise, and giggle with friends.  Casual clothes like jeans,  hooded tees  and sneakers  can be both cute and comfortable--ideal for most school days and weekends at the park.

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.

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.