September 29, 2005

Every mall and market has started catering to the style needs of young girls. Whether it is hair accessories that come in beautiful pastels, all glittery and glamorous, or the latest denim flappers, our six-to twelve-year olds are as hip as their teenage siblings, writes Saima Salman

Gone are the days when mothers forbade their daughter to wear lipstick until they reach college going age. In those days anything that made a little girl look older was considered off limits, hence young girls looked and acted their actual age. Not any more though.

Girls as young as six visit salons with their mothers, with moms requesting their little angels’ hair be streaked. Manufacturers of fashion goods and style accessories have now started to consider these girls as part of their clientele.

The thin line between girlhood and womanhood is slowly being erased as far as looks are concerned. Every mall and market caters to a young girls’ style needs. Whether it is hair accessories that come in beautiful pastels, all glittery and glamorous, or the latest denim flappers, our six-to twelve-year olds are as hip as their teenage siblings.

This trend has come about with the full blessings from the modern mom who it seems wants to make a little replica of herself in the form of her daughter. While mommy has the choice of buying tiny handbags with big buckles, the little girl is not far behind as designers have come up with petite pouches that can be clutched easily by tiny fingers.

There was a time when it was been considered sheer stupidity to give a purse to a small child since it was thought that she would misplace it. The confidence and responsibility with which these girls carry their handbags is awe-inspiring indeed.

When aunties started sporting glitter on their clothes and faces, our shops were flooded by make up items especially made to suit little girls’ skin. Jeans appeared with glitter work all over them. The latest trend is the low-slung flapper jeans that have fancy patchwork on them and are worn with broad belts.

One wonders how long exactly it takes them both to get ready when going out for the evening. Are men waiting longer for their wives and daughters to dress up then they did before? Hats off to their patience if they are.

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