Teen Clothing Stores

Teen clothing stores are usually hip and fun, with the best ones catering to both the parents and the teen. A wide array of different stores is available to outfit teens, both in person and online. Choosing the best teen clothing stores may be a bit daunting, but becoming familiar with what to expect can help that choice turn from daunting to informed.

Function

The main purpose of a teen clothing store is to get the teen, or her parents, to shell out cash for the store's line of clothes. Teen clothing stores do this in a variety of ways. Highlighting the latest fads is a must for drawing in the teen. With short attention spans, teens need a wide variety of styles, clothing types, colors and other attention-grabbing merchandise and displays to make them hang out in the store for a while.

Features

Loud music, bright colors and a fun, hip atmosphere are the trademarks of many teen clothing stores. The aim is to draw in the teen, traditionally attracted to things that look superfluous and fun. Other teen clothing store features include lots of accessories, clothing displays that highlight the latest trends and snappy sayings that cater to a teen's sense of fitting in.

Types

Teens have a wide array of stores from which to choose. Many will showcase the latest fads, but others display niches or specialty items. Heavy-metal type clothing, Goth gear, preppy, elegant and sexy are just some of the themes. Teen clothing stores can also focus on the outdoor teen, with hiking, camping and sporty clothing; the princess teen, with lace, heels and fuzzy fabrics; the sophisticated teen, with clothes that mimic the high-class executives; or the dressed-up teen who is specifically scouting for a prom dress.

Misconceptions

Not every teen clothing store is full of jostling, loud noises and clothing. Teen stores can be a bit more subdued or carry a more traditional department-store feel. In fact, most department stores have a teen section, strategically placed next to the women's section where their mothers can shop, filled with some of the fun displays and accessories found in other teen shops. Another increasingly popular type of teen clothing store is an online store, especially because kids often have access to or even their own credit cards.

Considerations

While teen clothing stores obviously want to entice the teen, they have to keep in mind that it's usually the parents who pay the bill. Some teen clothing stores balance out the loud music and funky feel with things that make the parents step inside. Large displays proclaiming how inexpensive, durable and long-lasting the clothing is may help the parent become equally enticed.

Resources

• Urban Outfitters
• The Buckle
• Wet Seal