Top 10 Tween Must Haves: #7 Cropped Jacket

If you don’t already have one of these, you’ve missed the trend by about 6 years.  Never fret, since this trend has become on of the newest staple items of every females wardrobe and a definite tween essential.  Simply sassy is how I would describe this Top 10 Tween Must Haves item.  The cropped jacket has been an evolution that I personally haven’t been able to embrace (it exaggerates my extremely long waist/short legs body type 1), but I’ve enjoyed watching the style mature, and love seeing how people will where it next.  The trend is still hot on the streets, and this is another one tweens can really embrace keeping it on the age appropriate tip.

Here in Georgia, it’s great during those nippy fall and spring mornings on the way to school (layering piece you can take off).  Denim is probably the best choice to carry you through all 4 seasons + 3 years of middle school if you’re going to 6^th grade this year.  It is also an inexpensive item to include in your budget.

For those on a super tight budget or just creative geniuses, hit the clearance racks, consignment, dollar, and/or Good Will stores to get a regular denim jacket and cut it to the desired length for a relaxed grunge vibe.  If you cut it too short, relax cuz the mini-cropped look is even hotter for tweens.  Don’t worry about the strings since the tattered/shabby chic/bo-ho look is in and will help you dress down more classy items and extend the life beyond special events.  Now that’s waz’up!

Do you sew?  Add a cute velvet ribbon trim of your color choice to customize yours and let you stand out.  Visit your local fabric store or arts and craft store to find all sorts of patches remnants you can attach.  Cheerleaders can add school patches for that letter mans jacket vibe.  Dance teams can tie dye with bleach, which is a look that’s always out in the creative arenas.  Artsy girls, get one of your artist friends to use it as a canvas to draw what ever you want on it.  Hip-Hop chic, add the fur stole on top of the mini cropped jacket to give depth and flair.  Fashionistas, look for velvet or corduroy cropped jacket with the puff (gathered) shoulders.  No matter what, just do you and think outside the triangle too sometimes.

Tips:

1. Roc the cropped jacket with everything on the Top 10 Tween Must Haves list and in place of the velour jogger jacket, blazer, and the cardigan, which are also on the list.
2. When shopping for your cropped jacket choose one of the fabrics on my Top 10 Fabrics list to ensure your fresh buy looks just bought 3 years from now.

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L