Clothing for Girls

Little ladies have almost as many clothing options available to them as their grown up Moms.  When you combine the enormous amount of clothing styles available with the fact that many girls have definite opinions about brands (Levis  vs. diesel ) and styles (miniskirts  vs. cargo pants ), shopping for girls can be a huge headache.  But guess what?  Shopping doesn't have to be a chore, it can be fun.  We've tried to create a shopping portal for girls that will make the girls look great and the parents sigh with relief.

Getting Started The first thing you'll need to do is determine what clothing items your child needs. There are two guides tailored to specific shopping needs: Casual Clothing for Girls and Dress Clothing for Girls. After you've made a list, it may be helpful to take a few quick measurements of your child while at home. Whip out your tape measure  and get these crucial numbers: height, chest measurement and waist measurement. Done? Great. Next have your daughter hop on the scale  to determine her weight. Now with these numbers in hand, you'll take 90% of the guess work out of your shopping. Use the size information below to pinpoint the right size.

Size Information

Here is a basic idea of how things break down:

• Girls 4-6x
• In general, these sizes should fit preschoolers, but can span from ages 3-6 years old.
• Weight will fall between 32 and 54 lbs.
• Height will range between 39-48 inches.
• Here's how the numbers and letter sizes match up: S=4, M=5, L=6. XL=6x or 7
• Girls 7-16
• In general, these sizes should fit grade schoolers (roughly ages 7-13).
• Height will range between 50-65 inches.
• Here's how the numbers and letter sizes match up: S=7 or 8, M=12, L=14-16, XL=18
• Girls Slim
• For girls with a small frame and thin body.
• Available for preschoolers and grade schoolers.
• Girls Plus
• For girls where the weight is heavier than the proportional height.
• Available for preschoolers and grade schoolers.

Now that you've got the size nailed down, here are two guides to help fill the closet:
Casual Clothing for Girls	Dress Clothing for Girls

Winter Gear for Girls

Hats  wool  fleece  cotton	Scarves  wool  fleece	Mittens  & Gloves  wool  fleece  waterproof	Skiwear  Parkas  Vests  Jackets	Snow Boots  Hiking boots  You also may consider wool socks.

Underneath it All

Underwear  Girls 4-6X  Girls 7-16  Buy in multi-packs for the best prices.	Tights  Warmer than knee-socks. Read laundry instructions carefully to avoid damaging.	Socks  Girls Athletic socks  Look for a little Lycra or other synthetic fabric to help cotton athletic socks  keep their shape. Wool and nylon are best worn with loafers and school shoes.	Pajamas  & Nightgowns  Girls 4-6X  Girls 7-16  Sleep shirts  are another option.	Robes  Girls 4-6X  Girls 7-16

More of Your Burning Questions Answered

• Looking for a Special Size?Many of the larger retailers offer both slim and plus-sized clothing for girls.
• Slim Sizes: Lands' End,  Gymboree  and Dickies  are all brands that offer slim sizes.
• Plus Sizes: There are a lot of brands offering plus sizes for girls--Levi,  French Toast,  and Self-Esteem --to name a few.
• All Heart Kids  is a resource for school uniforms.
• About.com has a good article about how to dress your plus-sized child.
• Need a school uniform? Read our guide for Back to School.
• Want more information to before braving the first snow storm? The Guide to Winter Clothes should help you out.
• Before your big holiday party you may want to read the Holiday Clothes for Kids article.
• Still unsure about what to put on her feet? For more types of footwear read on...

Footwear Options

Here is a list of the types of shoes available: Athletic : Can be general or sport specific: basketball,  running,  tennis,  golf,  etc. Sandals:  Don't forget the ever-popular flip-flop.  Dress Shoes : Even for tomboys, at least one pair should be in the closet. Boots : Snow, hiking  and cowboy  are all available to girls. Loafers:  A practical option for school. Slippers:  Nice but not necessary. Shopping online?  Before you click "purchase" read the The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society's Guide to Children's Shoes.  Did you know it takes 18 years for a human foot to mature? Want to know what the hot styles are? According to zappos.com these are the top two brands selling to girls: Ugg  (fleece lined boots and slippers) Heelys  (sneakers with built in wheels)

External Links

• Web sites like Coupon Mountain often list clothing discounts for online retailers.
• Don't make these mistakes: About.com lists the five worst trends in kids fashions.