The Budget Bambino

The Budget Bambino isn’t alone—the web is chock full of great style resources for families, and we make a point of perusing them on a regular basis to keep us all up to speed. And because we know how important it is to share nicely, we’ve compiled a list to help you make the most of your time on the web—so here’s a list of our fave family fashion blogs: 1. The Budget Bambino. We couldn’t leave ourselves off the list, …

What: Fall means back to school and sweater season—and we’ve got both covered here. What we say: The end of summer gets us all excited for the leaves turning color, yellow school buses driving around town, and especially nostalgic for the prep school experience we never had. And what’s more prep school than the classic cardigan? There are many options for cute kids cardigan sweaters from funky casual to dressy cashmere, and all are perfect for tying around the waist …

What: Toasty toes never go out of style, especially when you’ve got the right socks on. What we say: Socks with treads are a fun, funky way to keep kids’ feet nice and snug all year long. With so many colors and patterns to suit any kids’ tastes, and skid-free treads on the bottom to prevent slips, you can’t go wrong. And besides, those fuzzy slippers can be a pain to wash! Our Picks: ~ For girls we like these …

What: Go USA! From Phelps to Torres, Walsh to May, the Beijing Olympic Games are history in the making. What we say: When the events have been erased from your Tivo, why not let your kids show some Olympic pride post-Games with these cool duds? These items not only get a gold-medal in our book, they are a fun way for your kids to remember the Beijing Olympics for years to come. ~ We love the Beijing Bamboo Panda Tee …

What: Saggy pants? So 1995. What we say: Kids like to do things themselves, but when it comes to getting dressed, your son or daughter’s help may prolong the process! To get kids involved with dressing themselves, without making you late for work, try the Myself Belt ($14.95). Myself Belts help kids feel independent when they can put their pants in place without mom or dad’s help. The Myself Belt simplifies a belt’s cinching process by using a snaps and velcro …

What: Hats that give kids a break from the standard baseball cap. What we say: Whether your going to a ball game, the local park, or even taking a “stay-cation” with the family, little faces should be shaded from the sun on hot days and from rain and snow as fall and winter approach. And what better way to keep kids protected from the elements than with a fun, fashionable hat? For boys, we love the Herringbone Button Hat ( $12.50) …

What: “Life imitates art,” said Oscar Wilde. And, today, clothing and accessories for kids do too! What we say: Kids can be canvasses…for fun art-inspired looks. These items, from New York’s most renowned museums, are perfect for creative spirits and budding artistes, or for getting kids inspired for a day at the museum. The Met William Backpack ($12.50) features a rendering of “William,” the museum’s ancient Egyptian faience hippo that has been a favorite since it arrived at the Met in …

What: For many of us, fall means that raindrops will be fallin’ on our heads soon enough. What we say: Rather than have your kids bring the old black umbrella with them to school when the rain starts pouring down, try a more cheerful design to beat the gray-day blues. Besides, rainboots only keep kids’ feet dry and these styles are sure to brighten any storm. Lands’ End has five colorful umbrellas ($12.50) that match their kids’ rain slickers, if you …

What: For teens and tweens headed back to school, there is one important word when it comes to style – preppy. The Lowdown: This is not your mother’s preppy! Instead we’re seeing some old classics with a new twist. As those in the know over at Elle Girl tell us, “Forget about the popped up collars, cardigans draped around the neck, ribbon belts and pearl necklaces.” Instead think plaid skirts, blazers in fun colors and fabrics, preppy pastels paired with black, …

What: Aprons that will have kids shouting, “Flour power!” What we say: Adventures in the kitchen can get messy, and why shouldn’t they? So protect little one’s clothes when they are elbow-deep in dough with these fun aprons. By making quality kitchen time an event worthy of dress-up, these aprons can also make baking and cooking special for your sous chef extraordinaire. For a variety of classic styles and colors we love Warm Biscuit’s aprons ($22). http://warmbiscuit.com/kidsaprons.html A collection of designs …

What: Wear your vote on your sleeve. What we say: With the Democratic and Republican conventions over and the nominations accepted, the 2008 Presidential race is heating up. Kids may not be able to vote, but they can start getting involved in the political process by showing their support for the candidate they would want sitting behind the desk in the oval office. Good practice for when they get to vote as adults, we say! Kids are getting more involved in …

What: Go wild…wild kingdom! What we say: Kids are animal lovers, and here are some fun t-shirts for them to show their pride for Mother Nature & Co. in style. The perfect compliment to those Animal Crackers you made! http://www.thebudgetbambino.com/archive/animal-crackers-diy/ We love this orange Boys long-sleeve T from JCrew’s Crew Cuts line, which not only features a silhouetted bear, but an animal-friendly message too! Gap Kids has Graphic Ts of kids’ favorite cartoon furry friends, from Snoopy to Hello Kitty ($14-20) …

What: Give peace a chance. Fashionably. What we say: The election season is heating up, but there’s one issue everyone can agree on: Peace, man. From Martin Luther King declaring, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice to John Lennon singing, “Imagine all the people living life in peace,” the message of harmony on earth is not only universal, it’s timeless. Now that luxury brands like Tiffany’s are making peace-sign jewelry, the message …

What: This lovely skirt makes dressing up feel more like playing dress-up. What we say: JCrew CrewCuts’ Girls’ Silk Posy Pouf Skirt is positively pretty with its shimmering, yarn-dyed silk, tulle underskirt, and fun flower appliqués. But the price--$129.99 (on sale from $228!)—kinda ruins it for us. Here are some more wallet-friendly alternatives for gorgeous dressy skirts that provide the same fun and flounce. (Perfect for birthday parties or even the holidays as an alternative to the standard dress.) GapKids has …

What: Our favorite styles for fall jackets, just in time for the cool weather to settle in . . . The Lowdown: Baby it’s cold outside…but not quite cold enough to pull out the parkas and ski pants. That’s why we’re looking at some of our favorite fall jackets – fun, versatile styles that’ll be warm on your kids and easy on your wallets. The Double-Breasted Peacoat from Old Navy ($18) is cute enough for your little pumpkin. In pink or …

What: Stripes—zebras shouldn’t have all the fun . . . What we say: Girls have polka dots this season as a go-to pattern, so it is only fitting that boys have stripes as their trendy clothing design. After seeing a photo of Gwyneth Paltrow’s son Moses sporting a cool striped sweater, we thought that stripes are a fun, fashionable style for this season on everything from outerwear to accessories. This Piece-Striped sweatshirt from Old Navy ($14.99) is reminiscent of the diagonal …