Youngsters out in style

What I enjoyed about public school in Canada was the ability to express myself with the clothing I wore. However, there is another side to that coin, with that freedom comes social pressure. 

Your own clique has a ‘style’ and that inadvertently becomes a uniform. There was the ‘alternative group’, the ‘skaters’, the ‘jocks’, ‘the beauty queens’ and the preppy kids.

We loved to find boxes for people. It helped sort and deal emotionally with the social scene. Here in Bahrain the children are all suited with school uniforms which helps eliminate some of the segregation that can happen and they can better focus on studies.

Let your child express a bit of individuality by taking them shopping to choose their own style worn on play dates, weekends or mufti day at school. The word mufti, in this context, originated in the UK and refers to plain clothes worn by a person whose job involves wearing a uniform on his job, like a policeman or a student.
 
I called into H&M and noticed they were full of urban street wear that shouted ‘Cool stuff, mum!’. At H&M this autumn you will find multiple opportunities to purchase the latest trends with graphic T-shirts, coloured tights, word shirts, bright trousers, denim and comfy jumpers.

Pick up, for only BD2.500, adorable jumpers that have graphic prints of flowers, dogs and kittens that are so life-like you can hear them purr.

There are also long-sleeve printed T-shirts with cheeky quotes and bold colours for BD2.500 and trousers you can mix and match for BD4.900. Throw on a solid-coloured hat, flashy pin-on buttons, funky sneakers with bright laces and your little one will be as cool as the AC.

I know it seems impossible and catches some parents out-of-the-blue but there are occasional chilly days (sometimes weeks) here in the winter. Don’t be caught by surprise and try to rush out last-minute to find jackets and jumpers. H&M are selling jackets and hooded sweaters for only BD7.900.

The Children’s Place (TCP) is an American retailer of children’s apparel and accessories founded in New Jersey in 1969. I have shopped in this store for my boys in Canada since they were wee ones. I love the quality and price.
 
I was so pleased when they opened in Bahrain City Centre and they even carry the same sporty shorts I have passed down from one boy to the next. They are so durable, comfy and easy to pull on after the uniforms come off. These timeless shorts are cotton and come in grey, navy, electric blue or black and have a white raised stripe down the sides. You can mix-match with tanks for BD3.500. 

The Dollar Store, Pound Shop or discount stores are the greatest aren’t they? Well, in Géant right now they are blowing items out for a dinar. BD1 ‘Great Deals’ at Géant until September 17.

BD1 deals that get the ‘deal of the week’ accolade include:
Ladies Capri (30-42)
Men’s cotton track pants (S-XXL)
Men’s swim shorts (S-XL)
Men’s cotton Bermuda (S-XXL)
Men’s formal socks, 5 pairs
Ladies, girls or boys ankle socks, 5 pairs
Other’s I’m privy to:
BHS: End-of-season sale up to 50 per cent OFF now has further reductions. Store locatons: Seef Mall, Bahrain City Centre, The Centre (Nuwaidrat).
Lakeland: Part Sale 25 per cent to 60 per cent OFF on select items. Store location: Bahrain City Centre
Adams Kids: End-of-season sale up to 70 per cent OFF. Stores: Bahrain City Centre; Seef Mall, The Centre (Nuwaidrat), Bahrain Mall, Country Mall and Isa Town Mall.