GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Rubi Etrata opened Lil' Miss Trend-E in August.

Kid Stuff

Shops stock big-girl fashions
for the little miss

Fashion is not just for teens and adults. While moms and older sisters try to serve as role models for behavior, they also might inadvertently be passing on their fashion sense to impressionable girls.

Lil Miss Trend-E, located in Pearl Kai Shopping Center across from Pearlridge Downtown, is ready to meet the young divas' needs. From sassy to sporty to dressy, there is something for all who are fashionable yet far from ready for that women's size 0.

Rubi Etrata opened the shop in August after moving from Los Angeles where she was a fashion designer for 14 years.

"I like to put stuff in the shop that you can't find at different places," she said. "I don't do mass orders. I just bring in a handful."

That way, everyone is not wearing the same outfits, she explained. And, she only includes items that she would wear herself, that is, if she were still about 8 to 14 years old.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Jaylla Pascua is decked out in a denim polka-dot skirt ($19) paired with a black buckle top ($16). Her accessories include sunglasses ($10) and hoop earrings ($4; a set of six in assorted sizes can be purchased for $7). Lil Miss Trend-E in the Pearl Kai Center caters to newborns to fashion-savvy pre-teens.

Most of the clothing selections are separates, offering early training in fiscal responsibility, as mixing and matching wardrobe pieces over time takes a budget further than buying a single dress. "I hardly have dresses," Etrata said. "I like to mix and match. One top can go with two or three different bottoms."

The store also provides a lot of variety to suit growing style sensibilities. Even at that young age, girls are recognizable as girly types who like to wear dressy stuff, or the girl-next-door types who prefer the comfort of jeans and T-shirts.

Regular customers stop in each week to see what's new.

"When we first opened, we had lots of halter tops and ruffles, but the collection continually changes," said Etrata, whose customers benefit from her shopping savvy. "I have a boutique atmosphere but not boutique prices. I shop like crazy and I'm a bargain shopper myself."

Etrata tries to put herself in her customers' shoes by offering unique but affordable products. Most of the accessories are obtained during buying trips to Lis Angeles. These include hair clips, colorful pendants with matching earrings, brooches, handbags, caps and sunglasses. Earrings start as low as $3 a pair, and some of the necklaces are $5. Intricately designed pendants cost $16 to $18. Some of the small clutches and purses are $5.

Etrata is beginning to introduce her own line. So far, she has created some baby T-shirts under the label "Trend-E Baby" that are adorned with embroidered or sequined logos reading "rebel," "angel," "princess," "rock star" and "drama queen." Each shirt costs $15. Silk-screened versions cost $8.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Ashley Belen is sporty in red knit shorts ($10), tee ($15), cap ($6) and sunglasses ($8).

ANDREA MCCLARREN, marketing manager for the Children's Place, agrees that kids' awareness of fashionable merchandise is growing. The store opened this month at Ala Moana with an assortment of clothes -- from playground pieces to dressy attire -- for both boys and girls.

Kids relate to clothes that are trendy, she said, but retailers also need to address concerns of parents who don't want their kids looking older than their years. "We want to meet their needs. Our selections are not over the top -- they are cute and fashionable," McClarren said.

Both Lil Miss Trend-E and the Children's Place carry clothing for newborns to size 14. McClarren agrees with Etrata that mix-and-match items are the way to go. "It expands the child's wardrobe and helps Mom to be able to expand their dollars."

The Children's Place collection includes denim, special-occasion wear, outerwear, sportswear, sleepwear and accessories, as well as holiday attire for different ages to address the phenomenon of the family holiday photo. That way, McClarren said, if one daughter decides to wear a pair of denim jeans with plaid detailing, her sister can have the same plaid on the front of a smock dress. Their brother can wear a matching tie.

"It gives a nice family feel, and each child can feel like an individual."

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Deanna Bothelo's hankie skirt ($19.50) and knit blouse ($18) match her satin clutch ($8).