HTG81 First Collection Review

Forever21 did it again! GAP, Gymboree, Crazy 8, H&M etc. be very, very afraid! The cheap chic- runway knock off empire with a lightning speed turnover had realized the might of the kids clothing market. According to company's statement HTG 81 is "all about comfort with casual-cool edge and with a full assortment of apparel at the same affordable prices." So the BOYS and GIRLS ages 6 to 14 will soon be set to make their own style statements. With almost all clothes produced in LA, expect cool Cali laid back styles, hip knit and outerwear and really awesome jeans. I could have been more excited if they included younger kids, but I guess I will have to wait...

Now the collection is really cool, especially jeans. Well, hardly a surprise with LA's mighty jeans manufacturing industry, which fights for Forever21 orders. 
So, let's start with jeans:

The prices range from $18.90 to $21.90, which is not bad considering cool washes, whiskers, skinny fit, contrasting seams, textured construction and colors! Oh, hunter green skinny jeans make weep with fruitless desire! I need size 4! Two more years:) Pay attention to grey skater skinny jeans (very hip), skinny contrast jeans (awesome!), acid washed distressed skinnies (fabulous!) and original fit relaxed jeans in case you are tired of making statements.

Tees Selection: Help yourself at this tee buffet. You couldn't expect less from Cali designers. Cool graphics for any taste. Prices range from $11.90 to $13.90. More than reasonable! My personal favorites: Fearless Crewneck Tee (futuristic beetle), Exclamation Tie Tee (conversation starter), Cali State Flag Tee (sorry, can't help it), Racecar Driver Tee (cool graphics plus red and black color combo is a MUST!) and Mixed Shades Tee (a Winner!).

Knit tops and sweaters have a very distinctive European flair, kind of strolling down Nice Promenade, sailor chic. Prices range from $12.90 to $15.90 and $25.90 for 2-piece ensemble. You can never have too many striped tops in your boy's closet. Check out Basic Striped Tee (sailor tee in a variety of colors), Striped Knit Tee (Love the mixed pattern: solid white and stripes), Striped Ease Knit Top (long sleeves sailor tee) and American Trad Cardigan (duo colored placket trim).

Sweaters do not disappoint either. Hip and laid –back take on preppy chic. Prices range from $16.90 to $24.90. Your heart would start beating harder just imagining your little hunk wearing these effortlessly cool cardies. Striped Sweater Cardigan (sailor shirt gone knit), Varsity Stripe Cardigan (elegant in its simplicity), Preppy Zip Up Cardigan (absolutely fabulous, very Manhattan-ish), Chest Patch Cardigan and Preppy Argyle Cardigan are the witty attack on the bastions of Preppiness. Please, restrain yourself from Preppiness overload! Pair these sleek cardigans with hip skinny jeans to create the slightly ironic vibe of effortless coolness.

Good selection of casual and dressy woven shirts with ties. Price range: $17.90- $18.90.

Very Californian Outerwear collection has an unmistakably 80-s vibe. Vivid colors, shiny polyester, bright windbreakers. There is a lot to choose from: Zip Up Stripes Jacket (shiny purple, slanted stripes, modern take on 80-s 100% polyester), bright windbreakers, Urban Snap Jacket (Hello, 80-s Must Have Members Only jacket!), Zip Me Up jacket (very hip!), Zip Hood Denim Jacket (removable hood, nostalgic 80-s acid wash), Reversible Bright Nylon Jacket (well, very bright), California Rulers Jacket (mustard yellow is so cool), Rugby Zip Up Jacket (contrasting stripes, reserved dark color), Classic 2-Button Blazer (very versatile, endless possibilities! I can totally see this blazer hijacked by older sis to create boyfriend's jacket looks), Plaid Woven Vest (resolutely gorgeous! Must have!)

Well, bravo HTG81! The collection certainly looks cool and hip, lots of wardrobe staples, very reasonable prices. My only concern is quality of course. The quality always tends to be sacrificed to keep the prices in a low bracket. Forever21 is notorious for their deconstructing in two weeks clothes. So, I hope HTG81 clothes feel as good as they look and will hold for at least one season.