Gearing up for a great look

Back-to-school time means back to the mall for parents. Parents sometimes have trouble navigating through the demands of what's wanted, what's needed and what's affordable:

Maybe your little tomboy has had her fill of logo T-shirts and jeans and would enjoy showing up for class looking more sophisticated. A classy choice might be a knee-length houndstooth check jumper, like those from Talbot's.

A no-fuss way your little daughter can look dressed up is in a cotton crewneck knit dress from Land's End. It has long sleeves, a softly gathered skirt that falls mid-calf, and side pockets. There's also a print jewelneck dress, similarly constructed but available in a choice of prints.

But there's no separating today's junior women from their casual favorites, like a patterned woven peasant top and "dirty jeans" with laces up the side of the leg.

A parka is usually a rough-and-tumble garment, but Oshkosh B'Gosh has a prettied-up version, with scallops, embroidery and furry cuffs and hood trim.