It's tough when kids desire costly clothing

WASHINGTON -- My sister warned me.

Just wait, she said. You'll be fighting with Olivia about clothes and things she wants to buy.

Not my child, I protested. Remember, she lives with a mother who can squeeze a penny so hard that Lincoln winces. My child couldn't possibly have such tendencies.

But my sister was right. My oldest daughter, who is now 12, is often irritated that I've made the mall a mostly forbidden zone. She's allowed to venture there only a few times a year when absolutely necessary -- like when her toes are crushed inside her shoes or her jeans could be mistaken for capri pants because they are so short.

When we pass by a mall, Olivia begs to go in. I refuse and then she gives me the look.

My daughter handles her money well. She's frugal too. But the pressure is building as she looks on as her peers get showered with the latest brand-name clothes and electronic toys.

I did relent and let her buy trendy lip gloss. I couldn't see why the lower-cost ChapStick wouldn't do, but you do have to let some things go.

Our biggest battle is over the question of a cell phone. I say absolutely not. She rolls her eyes and glowers at me with that pre-teen glance that silently says, "Nursing home."

But there is one bright spot for we parents determined to buy inexpensive clothing for our children. More celebrities and athletes are coming out with affordable products for families who don't want to go broke buying brand-name items.

Kevin Durant, the No. 2 NBA draft pick for the Seattle SuperSonics, is working with Nike to develop a reasonably priced sneaker. Although the shoe may not debut for at least a year, the strategy is worth noting now.

"The whole concept behind Kevin's desire to see more affordable shoes in the marketplace stems from his belief that kids should be able to make a purchase for quality shoes without their families having to make huge financial sacrifices," said Mary C. Ford, public relations director for Goodwin Sports Management, which represents Durant. "Kevin is a product of two parents that worked hard everyday to provide for him and his brother and knows that a lot of inner city kids are not as fortunate."

Durant is following other NBA players who are doing the same thing. Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks teamed up last year with New York-based retailer Steve & Barry's to create a basketball sneaker for $14.98. Ben Wallace of the Chicago Bulls will launch his new basketball shoe and clothing line on Oct. 29. The line is called the Big Ben Collection. All affordably priced and also sold at Steve & Barry's.

I love that $14.98 price, especially considering how fast kids grow. As the mother of a 9-year-old son, the price of the sneakers makes me want to skip. As you might expect, I would never buy my son -- or allow him to purchase -- the $100-plus sneakers endorsed by sports figures such as Michael Jordan. And I can't believe any child of his age would need such an extravagance.

Thank goodness there's a growing trend for affordable but hip items.

Tennis star Venus Williams has collaborated with Steve & Barry's to produce a good quality but low-priced line of clothing and shoes. Called "EleVen," the line features more than 120 pieces, including several styles of athletic footwear and athletic apparel, jeans, gym bags and jackets. The best part is that everything in her EleVen line is priced under $20.

Williams announced details of the line last month at the U.S. Open. The apparel will hit store shelves Nov. 15 and will be sold exclusively at Steve & Barry's nationwide.

Athletes who are working to sell quality, inexpensive clothes should be commended and their lines supported. Steve & Barry's should be commended as well.

"We want to work with people who share the same passion that your self-esteem and money shouldn't be wrapped up in the logo that appears on your shoe or your jeans pocket or the breast pocket of your shirt," said Howard Schacter, chief partnership officer for Steve & Barry's, who also manages the celebrity brands.

Now that's a retailer who shares my philosophy.

© 2007, The Washington Post Co.