This festive season, ethnic wear is not just for grown-ups
Originality and imagination count for a lot in children’s clothing. So when a three-year-old girl’s mom spots a tiny lehenga, complete with gota trimming and zardozi on a red shiny silk base in a shop window, the adorableness becomes impossible to resist. But when it comes to children’s clothing, combining practicality with aesthetics is equally important. A deep blue, striped kurta for a toddler worn with sleeves rolled up might look incredibly cool but only as long as the fabric is not harsh and abrasive on a child’s skin and strong enough to withstand an energetic bout of cricket. This Diwali, there’s a fabulous variety of ethnic clothing available for children, addressing issues of fashion and comfort.

“India is a land of festivals. Kids love wearing salwar kameezs or kurtas because they see adults wearing them all the time,” says Seema Puri, vice-president, design, Lilliput, a popular kidswear brand that started an ethnic line over three years ago. Lilliput already has 214 points of sale across India and is now gearing up for the launch of Lilliput World, a new set of stores where a very large section will be devoted to children’s ethnic and party wear. “We plan three separate lines in children’s ethnic wear,” says Puri. “Casual ethnic, wedding and everyday ethnic. We’re also working on a concept of fusion ethnic.” Their range will begin at Rs 600 and go up to Rs 3,000.

Slowdown or no slowdown, parents don’t seem to want to ease up on indulging their kids, or maybe themselves. So, in the festive season, when shopping for finery is back on your list, children’s wardrobe can hardly be ignored. That explains the sudden explosion in stores stocking kids’ ethnic wear with many new entrants who have figured out that occasion dressing has potential for growth.
Namrata Dutt of 2 Feet, a popular Indian wear store for children in Delhi, recommends a casual cool look for children this season. “For boys, I like the kurta to end above the knees and it should be teamed with jeans rather than churidars,” says Dutt.

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