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FashionPlaytes (http://www.fashionplaytes.com)

common sense media says

Girls can make fashion dreams come true -- for a price.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say it's educational
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this site lets girls play fashion designer and create their own clothing styles which they can then purchase. This site only focuses on girls clothing and offers a handful of base designs to start off with, like shirts, leggings, and skirts. Just watch out as the ticket prices for pieces tends to increase the more a user customizes, as each optional embellishment costs extra.

Educational value: Girls can explore their creative side and learn about the design process of embellishment, from adding "underlayers" to shirts to decorative ribbon effects. They can also learn about coordinating colors and patterns together.
Positive messages: Fashions are tame and include skirts, hoodies,  T shirts and baby-doll tops. Real girls can be seen modeling the clothes and there is an emphasis on age-appropriate fashion. The site encourages creativity, but also encourages buying and focuses on appearance.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The site is designed as a retail store where girls can design custom clothing. However, watch out for the rising price of items as an outfit's base price doesn't include all of the custom touches that make the process so much fun. Each additional item carries its own cost and the site is set-up in a way to lead young designers through each optional feature.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Birthdates and email addresses are collected when users become members. Parents are sent an email after a user registers for a free membership. The email doesn't require any confirmation action, but simply states the purpose of the site.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on FashionPlaytes

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how fashion plays a role in expressing your identity. Do you think you make a statement my the clothes you wear? If so, what is that message? Do you think kids are often pressured into wearing styles to fit in with popular trends?
  • Do you need a website to be a fashion designer? Can you think of any ways you can design clothing or customize already made pieces, without having to use the Internet?
  • Families can talk about spending money on-line. Is it easy to rack up a big bill on-line because you aren't really aware of the spending unlike in a real world store? How do websites encourage you to spend more money?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
FASHIONPLAYTES shouldn't be seen as a site that is going to teach your daughter how to be the next Coco Chanel. Similar to other sites like  Design-Girls, this site mainly focuses on custom embellishments, rather than actually creating pieces from scratch. That said, the designs offered for customization are very wearable and kid-friendly, meaning the investment in one of these outfits will get you some wearable art. FashionPlaytes does a good job of making the personalization process super easy, with a very appealing site full of fun colors and design elements. Beyond just designing and buying, girls can save their designs in their virtual closet and email them to someone -- say an indulgent aunt -- who can easily purchase the fashions with one click. Fun and user-friendly, this site should offer a fun activity to fashion-forward girls looking to exert a little more control over their wardrobe.

Online interaction: Users can email designs to friends and relatives. This function is designed so that the recipient can easily purchase the item for the sender.

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say it's educational
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

itsybitsymonkeys
adult
5
 
Quality excellent, wait time poor, price fair, limited options ...
I think this is a lovely site for young girls (definitely pre-tween). My daughter and I enjoyed trying the different options (pretty much limited to a few styles, colors, and ribbon/crystal embellishments). For those girls ages 9 or so and up that are a bit more sophisticated in design, this site offers pretty fleeting joy (FYI: my daughter is 12). That said, the three items we ordered were of excellent quality and looked just like we prepared online. The price for quality is absolutely spot on. Look for coupons/sales. I have to admit that I found the color choices limiting (some times only 5-8 choices). We ordered May 2010. Finally, order took a good 2-3 weeks, HARD for a child who made a creation.
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (7)
isaubery
parent of and 3 , 9 , 10 year old
8
 
not for boys!
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (9)
MENana
parent
10
 
Nana designs too
I am an artist and grandmother, not a fashion star. I absolutely loved creating clothes for my granddaughters. The prices compare favorably to most regular retail outlets. I had great fun and want to play on the site with my grands.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines