ML Interest Tag: tights

9 Essentials for Fancy Dressing (& Where to Rock Them)

by Kelly Aiglon

Jeans and a tee is the classic kid uniform. But when special occasions strike — weddings, holiday tea, a trip to “The Nutcracker,” or anywhere you want to put your dressiest foot forward — it’s good to have some essentials in the kiddie closet. Here are 9 things to have on hand.

1. A killer bow tie.
Where to wear it: Fall and winter weddings. Your dapper lil’ dude might not be ring bearer, but he’ll vie for the spotlight with a bright, patterned clip bow tie.
Where to buy it: The coral double gingham clip tie shown here is from Etsy seller Divine Domestication. $15 at etsy.com.

photo: Divine Domestication

2. Graphic tights
Where to wear them: The school play or a class recital. Whether starring role or pretty place in the choir, a girl needs a little drama. Pair a skirt with a tights pattern that pops.
Where to buy them: You could go to a department store, but we’re partial to the multitude of styles from Oakland, California-based Luna Leggings. $32 at lunaleggings.com.

photo: Luna Leggings

3. Patent leather shoes
Where to wear them: They are more versatile than they seem! Get them in a fun color, wear them with bobby socks and a skirt and you can trot off to school. Or, be dressier with classic black, paired with tights and a dress and you’ll have the perfect outfit for your mommy-and-me date to “The Nutcracker.”
Where to buy them: Zappos has great deals. We also love the pair in this photo in Mary Jane style from Bella Bliss. $70 at bellabliss.com.

photo: Bella Bliss

4. A tweed vest.
Where to wear it: With a timeless tweed vest, your small wonder can make like Sherlock Holmes (if he was pint-sized and loved skateboarding). If the little fella has to tag along to Mom or Dad’s holiday office party, this is a sweet look.
Where to buy one: Support a mom-run small business and browse the handmade styles on Etsy. We fell in love with this lil’ tweed number offered by Maggie Bogart. $44 at etsy.com.

photo: Maggie Bogart

5. A tulle dress
Where to wear it: Holiday tea. Whether at an upscale hotel or at American Girl Place, it’s a great excuse to get dressy. Remember, pinkies up!
Where to buy it: The cotton and tulle confection shown here is from Little Hands and is available on Amazon. Around $20 at amazon.com.

photo: Little Hands

6. A colorful shrug.
Where to wear it: Go for a walk and check out all the holiday lights. Or pick a main drag and do some window shopping. When the wind whips and it gets chilly, you can have one at the ready.
Where to get one: Get crafty (or tap into the talents of a crafty friend) and knit one from scratch. You’ll get the color of your choice — and bragging rights. In this photo is a beautifully textured one from Craftsy. Pattern available for digital download for $3.25 at craftsy.com.

photo: Addiesma Designs

7. Dark black jeans.
Where to wear them: The question is … where not to wear them? Black jeans are great anywhere, anytime. But they’re especially great for family photos when you want to bump it up a notch from the usual faded blues.
Where to get them: Finding them won’t be trouble. And, oh, the options — pick from straight-leg, boot cut, loose fit or skinny. The ones shown here are classic skinnies from The Children’s Place. $7.80 at childrensplace.com.

photo: Children’s Place

8. A fedora.
Where to wear it: Pop on this topper for a big family gathering — grandma and grandpa will melt. Plus, a fedora makes your kiddo will instantly look more laid-back (even if he is having a public meltdown).
Where to buy it: Kid fedoras don’t exactly grow on trees, but there is a nice selection (including this preppy straw option) at Melondipity. $19.99 at melondipity.com.

photo: Melondipity

9. A headband with bling.
Where to wear it: It’s the season of sparkle and even a little hint will do. Jazz up a trip to see Santa with a sequin-, rhinestone- or pearl-adorned headband.
Where to buy it: Claire’s is everywhere and has several choices. If you’re feeling ambitious, do like blogger MayDae did in this pic and make your own (she used faux leaves from the craft store). Click here for the tutorial.

photo: MayDae

What is YOUR go-to fashion essential for a dressy occasion? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

 

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Now Playing: A Hollywood Costume Exhibit That Dazzles

by Jennifer O'Brien

photo credit: Jennifer O’Brien

Calling all movie lovers big and small!  The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures isn’t scheduled to open until 2017, but they’re whetting our appetites right now with the brand new Hollywood Costume exhibition. Featuring 150 incredible costumes from some of the most beloved films of all time, this exhibit highlights everything from Superman’s tights to Dorothy’s slippers and thrills visitors both young and young-at-heart from start to finish.

Must-Sees for Mini Movie Fans
You’ll definitely want to take your time touring this exhibition. With endless iconic costumes to take in, script excerpts that illustrate the importance of costume to story, and fascinating interviews with costume designers and filmmakers, there’s an overwhelming amount to see and read. Our advice – come with kiddos that are well fed and well rested who will wanna hang for a while. Tots will go ba-nan-as over the opportunity to get up close and personal with uber cool frocks and duds from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Superman, The Empire Strikes Back & Return of the Jedi, Spider-Man, X-Men, Mary Poppins, The Dark Knight Rises, Iron Man, Pirates of The Carribean, Captain America, Harry Potter, Addams Family Values, 102 Dalmations and Dorothy’s infamous ruby slippers from the The Wizard of Oz.

There are also some funtastic animations from The Smurfs and Shrek that tykes will dig as well. All in all, it will take families around 75 minutes to get through.  (If you’re a costume or movie fanatic, come with friends or family and take turns coming back for more while the kids play at the tar pits or under the Levitated Mass!)

photo credit: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Helpful Hints
Because we want your brood to make the most of their visit, here are a few important tips to help things run smoother from the get-go. Strollers are not permitted inside the exhibition, but designated parking is available near the front entrance. Hopefully, you have littles who don’t mind walking (or you have extremely strong arms).

Bags must be checked with the Academy staff, so you may want to bring a diaper or two on your person for any potty emergencies (we all know they happen). Speaking of which, the ever important restroom is located directly to your left once you get inside.

You’re welcome to shoot pics of your future Academy Award winners next to the giant Oscar featured on the red carpet outside. At the beginning of the exhibit, a gleaming window display of Academy gold provides a fabulous photo op as well. Beyond that point, photos are not allowed. Also, it’s pretty dark inside the exhibition, so it may take peepers a few minutes to adjust.

 

photo credit: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Facts and Figures
Tickets: Tickets are timed entry, valid for a specific admission date and time. Advanced tickets are available online and are highly recommended due to the overwhelming popularity of this exhibition. Adults are $20 and children under 13 are $10.

Dates: Exhibition runs October 2, 2014 – March 2, 2015.

Hours: Mon., Tues., and Thurs. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and closed Wed.

Parking: Visitors may park in the Pritzker Parking Garage located on 6th St. east of Fairfax Ave. or in the lot at Spaulding Ave. and Wilshire Blvd for $12/day. Metered street parking is also available.

Wilshire May Company Building
6067 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Fairfax Ave.)
Miracle Mile
Phone: 310-247-3049
Online: oscars.org/hollywoodcostume


What were your family’s fave parts of the Hollywood Costume exhibition? We’d love to know!

–Jennifer O’Brien

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Girls With Moxie Wear Broxies

by Meghan Rose

 

Your picky princess has finally settled on a dress to wear today, but her sartorial stylings do not allow for shorts, leggings or tights. They’re bunchy. Itchy. Too hot. Don’t match. On the other side, while her Disney Princess undies are undeniably adorable, they’re not something you want the whole world to see while she’s mastering the monkey bars.  Enter Broxies – a hybrid of underwear and fitted shorts that satisfies everyone’s requirements – she’s covered, cute and comfy.

Launched just this summer, Broxies are reinforced cotton underwear with the comfort and ease of underwear and the coverage of fitted shorts. Without the layers. So, what’s in a name? Well, the creator of the Broxie is a mom (of course, mothers are the mothers of invention) who grew up in South Africa, where underwear is called broekies. So when she came up with this solution to end her morning battles with her own opinionated girl, she decided to call them Broxies – broekies for the girl with plenty of moxie.

So Mom’s happy. But what about the girls? Well, we tested road tested them on several of the pickiest girls we know, and they were a resounding hit. They come in two styles – lace edged and plain, and have several adorable designs in each style to choose from. One rough and tumble girlie-girl pulled on a pair of the pink laced Broxies. “I love them! They’re so cute,” was her pronouncement, before pulling on a skort. Her mother told her that a skort wasn’t necessary. “Wait, I don’t have to wear a skort? Or tights? Can we order some more?”

Now, can someone just invent the perfect sock (you know, seamless, not too tight, not too short, not too long, not too bunchy, not too itchy…)?

Broxies run from $18-$22 a pair, come in sized 3-10, and are available online at broxies.com.

Got a solution for picky dressers? Share your smarts in the comment section below.

-Meghan Rose

 

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Dance Classes for Kids in Seattle

by Katie Kavulla

If you have a little one at home who won’t stop dancing, now is the perfect time to enroll them in a dance class! Studios all over Seattle are filling up spots in their classes for Fall, including parent involvement classes, formal classes that lay the ground for future prima ballerinas and casual dance classes at your local community center. Let us help you pick the perfect class in Seattle for your tiny dancer!

Cornish Preparatory Dance
Best for: Beginners and those hoping to improve upon their dance skills.

Ages: Ages 4-6

Classes: While the classes at Cornish Preparatory range from beginner all the way through to advanced levels, the classes for the kiddos ages 4-6 teach basic movement and dance skills.

Dress: Appropriate dance attire.

Neighborhood: The original campus is in Capitol Hill and the Main Campus is downtown.

Online: cornish.edu/preparatory_dance/curriculum

Evergreen City Ballet
Best for: Enthusiastic little dancers.

Ages: Classes begin at 18-months.

Classes: Beginning classes begin with Mommy and Me classes (ages 18-months to three years) and Creative Movement classes that helps kiddos develop their imagination, while giving them physical awareness, and confidence.

Dress: For the Mommy and Me beginner class please wear loose fitting clothes. For the Creative Movement classes, Evergreen requires a pink leotard (no skirt), pink tights and pink leather shoes.

Neighborhood: Renton, WA

Online: evergreencityballet.org/school.html

All that Dance
Best for: Children who are definitely ready to take dance and may even have aspirations of moving forward with dance as they grow.

Ages: Classes begin at 18-months.

Classes: Beginning classes include Dancin’ Tots (with a caregiver) and Creative Ballet (without a caregiver – parents watch from the lobby).

Dress: Comfortable clothes and ballet shoes or bare feet. Long hair must be tied back.

Neighborhood: Main location in Wedgewood and an additional location closer to University Village in Ravenna/Bryant.

Online: all-that-dance.com

Dance Fremont!
Best for: Children who are looking to dance for years to come.

Ages: Classes begin when little ones can walk steadily.

Classes: Beginning classes include Parent/Child Class which last until approximately age three, followed by Creative Dance.

Dress: Comfortable clothes for the Parent/Child Class. Creative Dance has specific dancewear requirements.

Neighborhood: Located in the Fremont/Wallingford neighborhood.

Online: dancefremont.com

Darrah Blanton Dance
Best for: Children who are just getting started with dance and are looking for a nurturing environment to do so. Parents are invited to watch the last five-minutes of class only.

Ages: Classes begin at 20-months.

Classes: Beginning classes include a Parent-Toddler Class and Pre-Ballet. Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Tap/Ballet Combo classes are available for older children.

Dress: Clothes that are comfortable to dance in such as leggings and a leotard. Specific dance shoes required in some classes.

Neighborhood: Studio locations in Queen Anne, Ballard and Capitol Hill.

Online: darrahblantondance.com (also pictured above)

Little Gym
Best for: Children who are curious about dance, but want to explore it in a fun, energetic environment.

Ages: Classes begin at age three.

Classes: Each class is geared for a different age group, focusing on the appropriate dance skills for that age.

Dress: None specified – check with each location.

Neighborhood: 11 Locations in the Greater Seattle area including the Eastside, West Seattle and Interbay.

Online: thelittlegym.com to find the location nearest you.

Lynn Beasley’s Children’s Dance Workshop
Best for: Children who are ready to dance in a slightly more structured environment. Parents are allowed to watch from the back of the class, as long as they are quiet and do not distract their dancers.

Ages: Classes begin at age three.

Classes available: Beginning classes are Creative Dance. More options available as they grow.

Dress requirements: Each class wears a specific color of leotard and tights. Dance shoes not required until the upper classes.

Neighborhood: Queen Anne

Online: lynnbeasleydance.com

Seattle Parks & Recreation Department
Best for: Families looking for dance classes in their own neighborhood where their children can meet other little neighborhood dancers. Parents are allowed to watch classes at some locations.

Ages: Classes begin at 18-months

Classes available: Beginning classes include Tot-Bop (with parents), Creative Movement, Creative Ballet, Little Ballerinas and Tiny Hip-Hop .

Dress requirements: Varies based on class.

Neighborhood: Community Centers around Seattle.

Online: Visit the SPARC program to view upcoming schedules and locations

For dance clothes and supplies in Seattle, visit Centerstage Dance Shop in the University District, but be sure to call first because selection can be limited. Target also has a small dance clothes selection.

Has your little dancer taken classes at one of these locations? Tell us what you love about them!

– Katie Kavulla

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