A beach-inspired wardrobe is quintessential summer fashion and there are an increasing amount of options for children and teens. Whether heading to Hawaii, to the local beach or simply to the sandbox in the backyard, kids will look ready for sun and surf.
Swimsuit Coverups: Sarongs
Bathing suits are a must, so don’t forget creative cover-ups. Sarongs (also called pareaus) are tropical and breezy. These can usually be found anywhere from vintage stores to tourists shops to high-end boutiques. For pretty versions found on the Internet, take a peek at dewhawaii.com. They have a vast selection of floral sarongs for girls, as well as sarong-inspired sun dresses. For boys, check out their cotton Aloha shirts, also in bright florals. Prices are incredibly low, with most items costing $14.
1950s-Inspired Capris and Button-downs
For non-swimsuit occasions, take a hint from the 1950s, pairing denim or cotton pedal pushers with a button-down shirt. If actually on vacation, wearing a tank top underneath the button-down is a good idea because then the shirt can be worn again, and the tank top washed or put into the laundry bag.
Ralph Lauren Kids has a good selection of cropped pants and bermuda shorts (many summer items are already on sale.) Children’s brands seem to make more button-down shirts for boys than girls, and there’s really no reason why a girl can’t wear a boy’s shirt. But there are some more feminine alternatives, including slightly ruffled versions in baby blue, deep red or white at Lands’ End ($19.50).
Linen
Linen screams summer – linen pants, roomy shirts and pretty dresses all make perfect use of the fabric. Linen does wrinkle, but that’s part of the lazy, casual summer beach look. Target offers gray cropped pants by YES in a linen-and-cotton blend ($16.99), For wee ones, Other options include Mulberribush’s wheat-colored girls linen pants ($9.90) and One Kid’s pink linen dress with ruffled tiered hem ($32.90), both available via Amazon.com. For boys, Pottery Barn has the Safari Linen Cargo Pant ($36).
Beach and Nautical Accessories
Don’t forget tropical-inspired accessories. Pukka shell necklaces or a strand of shells compliment outfits, as do colorful beads or pearls strung on rope instead of a chain. Another way to bring on summer is with faux flower barrettes. There are headbands with attached flowers, making it easy to keep the "flower" in place.
Charms with nautical or ocean designs, such as anchors, ships, fish or dolphins also bring the sea that must closer.
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