Can't help you with your answer, and I don't think some people EVER outgrow it.

However, the thing my parents did that I *still* think was genius, in terms of addressing the attitude of said clothes was say, "It's OK if you want the shirt with the alligator on it, but we do not have the money to pay for the alligator on the shirt. You can have the $13 to buy a plain shirt sans alligator from us. If you want the alligator, that additional $20 is all on you."

I still sometimes go for the metaphorical alligator on the shirt, but I also consider the other options available to me before I do so.

My daughter didn't get into that whole thing until she was about 16 or so. She's still into it, and she's 23, but she can pay for her own "name brands" now!

My son, on the other hand, has been into that whole thing since he was a tween! He was always way fussier than my daughter. He is 20 in a month, and he "can't afford" to be so fussy! heh

I lucked out by having weirdos for kids. Both of them (especially my son) are militant in their uncoolness and refuse to wear anything with a logo of any kind.

Please, please please tell me this isn't coming for mine!

My girl (the artist) can take clothes from Goodwill, match and accessorise them, and end up looking entirely chic and beautiful. She's very talented in that way. It's going to really tick me off when she loses that.

What makes things worse is that our family is on lower end of the economic scale of families that send their kids to my kids' school. The things 'everyone is wearing' are things we generally can't afford. We can barely afford the uniforms.

Talk about needing a second job!

Mine is 13, and while he has preferences for clothing, they're...off. (I know BIG shock)

he wants more AC/DC boxers. Like, 2943820394587 more pairs.

He thinks I should follow Mötley Crüe around the world, so he can get more concert shirts.

he wants an 80s revival to kick off on a large scale, so he can have even LOUDER clothes.

They all go through that and it continues on after they have finished high school. I am hoping that it will end soon, but I can't see that light at the end of the tunnel yet! Does someone have a candle, mine is about out!

Oh, dear, B-Mo, I hate, hate, hate to have to be honest about this, for your sake.

I finally "outgrew" the no-other-alternative-will-do name brand clothing thing, um... sometime around age 35.

I'm sorry, I really am. But I might be in the minority than the majority, that's maybe a good thing...

My parents gave me a clothing allowance at the start of every school year. I could supplement that with money I earned and gifts received, but once the clothing allowance was gone, it was gone. I learned to shop the Goodwill or consignment stores or TJ Maxx if I HAD to have a name brand. Otherwise I shopped at Target and Old Navy and Kohls.

I was always pretty easy-- liked the Gap and the lower end of the truly fashionable. But, I guess I am too old to count anymore as 125$ jeans were unheard of.

My brother on the other hand? Total fashion plate. Only the best. So, it can go either way!

Slarti, if it's any consolation, your daughter may never lose that thrift store magic. I'm 33 and I've been buying 99% of my wardrobe from thrift stores since I was a teen. I hope I never stop, either.

Busy Mom, I like your balanced view on the fascination with labels. I think a healthy interest in fashion and beauty is probably normal and indicative of social integration. Within reason, of course. I started sneaking makeup to school around her age (I wish my mom had caught me so she could have given me something other than the nasty pale green eye shadow I was using), and became much more interested in defining my own personal style. Maybe you can help her stay interested in what's trendy, but encourage her to think about ways to make the look really hers. Like maybe looking over a magazine like In Style together and picking out (or even clipping out) items from different ads that could be paired together in new and interesting ways. If she's at all interested in thrift shopping, she may be able to find a few retro or unusual pieces to match up with her trendy new clothes to make something new and different out of her wardrobe.

I read in a fashion advice book one time something to the effect of "getting dressed should be the first creative thing you do each morning" and I felt like that was really well said. I'm just saying your daughter may be interested in finding ways to incorporate the trends but still be creative about it.

Do boys go through this too? They most certainly do, although the expensive items are usually different. The clothes prices will not necessarily be all that different from "regular" stuff (heck some brands like Russell Athletic are both "cool" AND the "regular stuff") However beware when it comes to sneakers, jackets, and "team apparel" ("I just gotta have the new leather Nashville Predators Jacket")

While there are exeptions to everything, the difference between the younger and older versions of "label craving" only changes in who it matter for. For the tween it is for the friends. They don't "fit in" without this blouse, or that brand of jeans etc. When older, the label matters more for the person doing the buying. How else do you explain, Prada, Coach Leather, MAC cosmetics, etc?

So that would be a long way of saying it never ends. As a person grows older they (usually) get a better focus on what is important. But if labels weren't everything, no adult would be spending multi-hundres of dollars on 7 for all Mankind jeans, now would they?

My parents did something similar to swankette's when I went through this in middle school/early high school. I had a certain clothing budget, and was allowed to choose how to spend it myself. If I wanted expensive things, I had to plan for my allowance, gifts, etc. It didn't take long for me to revert back to being a jeans and tees and thrift store shopping girl.

Mine went to Catholic school through 5th grade. When they hit the public middle school, my daughter swore she was wearing soccer shorts and tshirts everyday, regardless of what those "preppies" were wearing. This lasted exactly 2 days, at which time she "needed" to go shopping. It has just gone downhill from there. Unfortunately for her, we are not in the upper level of income, so there are limits. She gets a budget at the beginning of the year and spends as she sees fit until it runs out. I am a whiz at finding a bargain, so we frequently get the labels at a great price. TJ Maxx is a favorite, as is the local Goodwill. Also, her Grandma has more money than we do, and is generous at the beginning of the school year and other gift-giving occassions. My son started middle school this year, and in a way he is worse than she was. He is not as accepting of our economic constraints so there is conflict. I don't know when it ends - the end is not in sight at our house. I do know that I am trying very hard to remind them both that clothes do not define the person, and I take every opportunuty to point out kids we know and love who do not wear labels. It seems to be working with my daughter, only time will tel with my son.

Can you believe $160 tennis shoes and $72 golf shirts? And no, I DID NOT buy any of that.

boys go thru it too! soon as my brother hit middle school it was straight to American Eagle. He quickly suprassed that and it was Abercrombie and Hollister. It seems the more expensive the cheap made crap is, the more popular it makes you. however the stuff targed at men in these stores is horribly lude and crude! Shirts with slogans such as "laugh so I can see them bounce" and "you've been a bad girl, go to my room!" I'm appalled! On the flip side the clothes for the girls are tiny, and tinier!

sadly, some people never grow out of it. but expect it to last at least thru high school. in college they need pajamas, just pajamas!

Clothing allowance - it is the only thing that keeps this family fed. And, last time I checked it doesn't seem to end until the allowance is gone.

You have to appeal to her greed. You really can find brand stuff at the thrift stores. I started with my girls when they were really young (7 or so). "You can get this one really cool outfit at Designerama, OR you can get these 6 bags of clothes at the Salvation Army" Greed won out every time!

My daughter lived for Abercrombie (they say it rulllly fast like ala Valley Girlish speak) for about a year. Then, one day not long ago, she announced she no longer liked Abercrombie and liked Hot Topic and skulls and stuff. She's picky about what she wears still but at least I don't have to worry about Abercrappy anymore. I got her a bunch of stuff from Aeropostle for Christmas cause they were having a bitchen sale.

While the Abercrappy thing is going....go to Platos Closet.

Somehow I managed to get my anti-label attitude to rub off on our son. He's 21 now and just recently bought his first pair of Gap jeans--off the clearance rack. Our daughter is a whole 'nother story, all about the labels. She knows I will not spend a penny at the fancy label stores (at least those known for their lewd catalogs), but she has used her own money a couple of times there--also off the clearance rack (Dad took her--I won't even go in). I have bought her a couple of their items at consignment sales. Clothing allowance starts when she has her drivers license and get herself to the store.

I think the fondness for labels will last as long as YOU fund it!

With my 14 year old, I take her shopping and she sees what she can get for her money at the more expensive stores vs. how much she can get if she is willing to shop at the less expensive stores. She almost always opts for the cheaper stores because then she can buy a whole outfit vs. perhaps just one piece of clothing. Also, we fund what we decree as the essentials and anything else comes out of her own pocket money. Nothing curbed the "I wants" as fast as being told "Go ahead and buy it with YOUR OWN money"!

I don't think that most kids ever lose sight of labels. My 14 year old daughter does earn her own money by babysitting and she spends it on SALE items at Abercrombie and Jasmine Sola and other 'in' stores. Yes, she gets a lot of her stuff at Marshalls (TJMaxx is the same thing) especially her jeans. They often have American Eagle and Tilt jeans, and even Sevens really cheap. But even with her gift cards and her own money, she wants NAME BRAND stuff, especially if it has the logo on it. For hanukah this year she got a Victoria Secret Pink hoodie, an Abercrombie hoodie, several abercrombie tank tops, and a couple of pairs of American Eagle jeans with her gift cards.

But it depends on two things: what you kid wants to look like and what kind of socioeconomic strata your town falls into. My town is richy rich and the kids shop in Bloomies a lot. They wore SOLO yoga pants and North Face Jackets when they were 12, Ugg boots, Jeans and hoodies at 13, and then again at 14. It's the layered look, with the tshirt sticking out of the hoddie, and everything has to match, even the converse all stars.

But we know kids that aren't into the whole scene. My DD is freaking popular and she feels that she has to dress in the most stylish mode because other kids follow her all the time.

I don't really care as long as it's not MY money we're spending. When it comes to me buying for her, it's Marshalls or the highway. Which is fine with her. She can find whatever she wants there for half the price anyhow. And that makes her a good shopper, a skill I really want her to have.

Oh, and about boys. It's different for boys. They do want cool jeans, but every teen boy I know, including my own, only wants to wear rock t-shirts and hoodies. My kid lives in rock t-shirts and hoodies. He will wear a coat this year, because I finally gave in and bought him a leather bomber jacket, which was all he wanted. And he has an old leather jacket of mine for spring/fall. But otherwise, shoes are the most important thing in a teen boy's fashion arsenal. My kid wants ONLY converse (i.e. cheap) high tops. He has them in a large variety of colors and always wants more of them. Marshalls carries them and we get them for $20/pair there.

Hair and shoes are way more urgent for cool points for boys.

And please DO NOT dress your child in thrift store clothing if she feels uncomfortable in it. We know a girl whose mother is a cheap bitch and they have PLENTY of money but she will only shop in thrift stores for her teen daughter. The poor kid is mortified, and all the other girls incluidng my DD have rallied around and give her clothing out of their closets so she doesn't look like a ragamuffin. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it is fashionable. This is in important time for girls to build their own self-esteem and if dressing like everyone else helps them, so what? Making them feel different or 'poor' is mean if they mind it. If they don't, well then you're golden. But don't force them to wear what they hate to suit your whims. Thats cruel.

My 14 year old is a skater and wants the clothes that go with that. They are not cheap either, but he is aware of the prices and doesn't demand too much of it. Example: Since Xmas, he now has 4 pairs of skater pants. Both my boys have always been fine with whatever I purchased from Kohl's or Target so now that one is a teen I don't mind spending more. It's also part guilt/part empathy because I had crappy clothes as a teen. I also fully expected it as I'd seen all my nieces and nephews go through it. Just one of the many adjustments you have to endure, BusyMom! Sigh.

My son is 17 and he's gone through it. My oldest daughter is 14 and she loves her Abacrombie..Aeropstale..ect. She has a couple of things just cause..well hey.. I like to see her happy and she's a good girl and I just don't see the big deal. I know some people are "aghast" that I would let her pick out name brands cause what am I teaching her??! I think we're teaching her that even though something seems small in our grownup eyes we still value what's important in her 14 year old eyes. It makes her appreciate us and what she has and when we buy the other TON of non name brands she is still happy and appreciates that as well. You go busy mom!!!
dawn

Both kids ( 15 yo girl/12 yo boy) love clothes but are more interested in "the look" not the brand. Except that daughter loves Coach bags but I refuse to purchase any.

My son is 14 and still going strong on the name brand deal. Annnd I can't pick clothes for him anymore. He prefers ugly brown shades and oranges....colors and styles that remind me of the late 70's.

Ah, I still remember my first BUM shirt. Remember BUM Equipment? LOL. I was in 7th grade and it was this awful green color with white bubble paint that said BUM really big across my non-existent chest. Ah, those were the days.

I still have a thing for name brand clothes and I'm 24. So, uh, plan on buying 'til she moves out.

And, I think that boys go through it as well...or else they just have cool moms.

Label obsession all depends on the kid. At any moment, they may decide to go rock kid and dress in all vintage, or take up athletics and go with track pants and T-shirts 24-7.

For now, teach her the value of a sale. I shopped in nicer stores when I was in high school, but my mom would try to steer me in there when they were having a good sale. Like someone else said on here, the greed (more clothes vs. less clothes) always won out. Goodwill can be OK, but if BG gets frustrated with going through everything, try a vintage store where all the best bits have been concentrated for your perusal. It might cost a bit more, but it's also less time-consuming and all the really cute, trendy stuff is right there at your fingertips.

The layered look is in, so instead of paying $25 for a tank top at American Eagle, stock up on basic T's and tanks at Target. Top it with a cute Abercrombie jacket, and no one will be the wiser.

My oldest daughter is only 8 and she is such a fashion diva. LOVES SHOES. Thankfully, she is happy with Target and Walmart and Payless for the time being. We wear uniforms too and she hates it.

I've got a 7 year old who is already looking at styles (not so much labels YET but she is already noticing)

She could LIVE in Limited Too. Luckily, I've been able to catch some great clearance sales on jeans there and have gotten her several pair of 10 an 11 dollar jeans that were originally closer to 40. My problem is that while she is wearing a "slim", this is one of the few stores I can always find her size. :( Now luckily I have a coworker whose daughter is 3 years older and built very similar AND has a g-mother who insists on buying "labels". Greg often brings me labels that his daughter has outgrown. And I can sometimes find them in consignment shops. (she got a Limited Too purse for Christmas from one of the consignment shops!)

I don't buy anything for her without her with me. As I said, she is picky about color/style more than labels so I can rarely "get it right"! LOL

I'm expecting it to get worse but she does already look for the clearance racks. I see a clothing allowance coming though. Especially with 2 more girls to go through it!

I did what my mother did to me. I was allowed a budget at the beginning of school and could spend it however I wanted. The first time, I bought the COOLEST grey corduroy gouchoes, sweater, shoes and grey stockings. That killed my budget but I looked really cool for the first day of school. The next semester, I made much better choices---especially once my best friend's mom introduced me to Lerner's (a discount clothing store for girls---I don't think they're in business anymore) and I spread out the budget over the whole semester. By the time by chicks cared what they wore, the style had gone grunge but I still did the budget thing and it taught them the value of a buck! Now the boys---I could dress them from Wal-Mart and they could have cared less. The older one preferred solid T's over stripes but the youngest still doesn't care. As long as it appears clean he's good to go!

My oldest son is 20 now, and it started with him when he was 11. He's still in the phase. My youngest son who is 13 just entered the phase about 6 months ago. My neice who is 20 is in the phase still, and hers started when she was about 11.

So I'm not even sure you will check this but here goes...I have been doing a LOT of shopping at Goodwill...I have found SOOOO many namebrands there it is truly ridiculous! I found a pair of LUCKY jeans for a friend of mine (her daughter) and they were 3.50. They are normally 96 dollars...I know because I WISHED for a pair...but decided goodwill was WAY more fun! I am a serious bargain shopper and LOVE the hunt....garage sales are also an AWESOME way to save money and still get total namebrand clothing.

Geez, I have just the opposite problem. All my life I've been into fashion and I've always been able to get the name brands I want for the price I want to pay (LOOOOVE clearance and sale racks!)...Anyway, my 12 year old son could care LESS about fashion...won't try clothes on, won't go shopping for clothes....I've always done all his shopping (without him at the Gap, American Eagle, etc) and he always looks like a fashion plate,,,,but I have to do ALL the work and sometimes I just wish he'd take more of an iniative.....My 3 year old daughter is pretty much the same way.....I love Gymboree and always buy clothes there, but its hell trying to get my daughter into anything that isn't pink.....what drives me even crazier is when I have to run into Walmart for something and she passes a rack of clothes there (usually some cheaply made pink scratchy outfit) she starts shrieking and has to have it...I usually won't give in because I like quality and I like fashion....I know it's pretty silly, but I like things that actually coordinate. I'm hoping my daughter atleast will get into fashion as she gets older so we can have a rockin' time shopping.