Fashion is serious business, especially for the pre-puberty set. The upcoming India Kids Fashion Week reminded us that our children’s sartorial development deserves in-depth coverage, alongside cognitive and motor skill development.  Our recommendations for what we’d like to see hit next season’s kids’ runways, below:

An asymmetrical red blouse. This all-weather staple will redirect the eye with it’s imbalanced lines and obscure any blushes. Perfect for when a teacher calls on them and they weren’t paying attention.

A bit of flounce. Ruffles and flounces are in this season for both boys and girls in the nose-picking age group. No handkerchief? No problem! They’ll find this look as versatile as day-to-night wear.

Understated leisurewear. This one is basic, but not in a bad way: jeans, graphic tee and sunglasses, but all understated so no one misses their every-changing hairstyles. Perfect for when they’re pretending they’re MS Dhoni.

Beading. Worry no more about what they should wear when riding a horse at some weird cousin’s baarat. Metallic beading is best, to distract guests from a bored expression. Plus, it tastes better.

A cape. This is for fashionistas with foresight. It’s the perfect back-up for when parents forget to make a fancy dress costume. Like vintage? A muff makes the look old-school and can double up as a pillow at naptime.

A statement bracelet. Bracelets with flashing lights are particularly ‘in’ right now; turn theirs to the ‘epilepsy’ setting, and no one will question who wore it best when their friend shows up to their birthday party in the same princess dress.

A navy romper. In a colour that says “gentle, but lively” and “intelligent, but doesn’t pick the wings off flies,” childhood’s perennial power suit can take kids from preschool admissions to college interviews, if you keep letting it out.

Vintage cartoon tees. Anyone can love Elsa or Nemo, but retro-chic kids will appreciate the minimalism of Underdog and contribute a silently ironic social commentary to the more commercial Montessori crowd with their flamboyant Betty Boop.

Kidding aside, there are few things cuter than baby overalls. Or pint-sized pinstripe suits. We’re human, after all.

But let’s be honest about who kids’ style is intended for: us. Unless they’ve been told over and over how cute they look in a certain outfit, or if there’s a cartoon character involved, kids don’t care about fashion. (They might care about what they wear, but that’s not the same thing.) Why bring their looks to their attention, when they could be focusing on so many more important things? It’s hard to run and play and grow and explore when you’re so worried about what you’re wearing.  (NB: Some adults may want to keep this in mind as well.)