Girly shopping is one of life's great joys. And when you make it a mother-and-daughter activity, it has the power to transcend regular retail therapy and become a bona fide bonding exercise. (Yes, even if your "sugar and spice" little girl has grown into a truculent pre- or fully-fledged teen!)
Brisbane has an abundance of fabulous girly shops, ranging from budget outlets boasting a dazzling array of accessories and frippery to high-end boutiques and department stores overflowing with girly goodies. It's not about how much you spend, it's about getting out there and having fun in the retail zone! So grab your daughter, your wallet and a capacious bag (for all those bargain buys) and hit the shopping streets of Brisbane.
But first, some tips for making it a great day for all:
Rules of shopping
Whatever your daughter's age, it's a good idea to set the ground rules before you leave home.
- Set a budget. Nip angry outbursts or sulks in the bud by setting the
budget before you venture in the
retail zone. Even $20 seems like a small fortune to a 10 year old set
loose in a shopping mall.
Shopping together is a great way for your budding shopper to learn about budgeting and spending wisely. If your daughter is still too young to understand money matters, then give her some coins for her own purse. She'll love having her own purchasing power - albeit small - and the sense of independence that comes with being in charge of your own money.If there are any other spending limitations (e.g. no lolly purchases), make that clear before the outing to avoid any unpleasant overtones affecting the special day.
- Choosing clothing items. If your daughter has a strong sense of her own style, you may need to negotiate any clothing choices carefully. You may want her to look stylish yet sweet, trendy but not trampy; she may want the latest look regardless of its adult overtones. Find the middle ground. Present several options then give her the final choice. Having the freedom to make limited choices now will help her develop her decision-making skills.
- Lighten up. Above all, remember your mother-daughter shopping trip is about having fun. Don't be controlling. Go for the "gentle guidance" approach.
Girly retail zones
Stay close to home or venture to a new suburb and make it a day of shopping and discovery!
- Brisbane city and suburban shopping malls offer plenty of options for all ages and tastes. Plus, parking is easy at
the suburban shopping malls. If you don't have your own transport, there
are plenty of public transport options.
Tip: If your daughter is into pink in a big way, check out Chelsea Lee, a gift store stacked with items in every shade and pattern of that ultimate girlie hue.
- If you're after a shopping
experience that's less mainstream, take your daughter to one of Brisbane's village-like
shopping strips. At Bulimba, you'll both delight in stores like My
First Room - a boutique-style nursery/decorating shop near the river
end of the street - Riverbend Books
& Teahouse or Mary Ryan's.
Paddington is another delightful shopping strip. The suburb's charming Queenslander shopfronts house an eclectic and enticing array of goods. Young girls (and fantasy-loving mums) will both enjoy Fairy Wishes, a treasure trove of all things ethereal, while cat-lovers can indulge their passion for all things feline-related at Pussies Galore. Presents Of Mind, an imagination-filled gift store on Given Terrace, is chock-a-block with games, puzzles and educational toys. And for lovers of vintage fashion, Endo's (the Endeavour Foundation's retro/vintage specialist) is a must.
Other places to try include West End, New Farm, and Lancaster Road in Ascot.
- Introduce your daughter to the delights of discount shopping. Your dollars will go further and the fun will last longer. Direct Factory Outlets (or DFO) are Brisbane's biggest outlet sale superstores. Located at Brisbane Airport and Jindalee, the DFOs house 100 individual factory outlet stores offering up to 70% discount off normal retail prices - all under the one roof.
- For more great fashions at affordable prices, head to Logan Road, Stones Corner. Cue, Jeans West, Rockmans, Colorado, Table Eight and Strandbags all have outlets in Stones Corner, a bargain hunter's haven for brand-name factory outlets.
- Develop your daughter's appreciation
of eclectic, handmade and local arts, crafts and fashion. Take her to one
of Brisbane's
colourful markets. Home to emerging fashion designers, the weekend Valley Markets are also a great place to find jewellery, fabulous handmade accessories
and artwork. Another market perfect for girly shopping is the South Bank Lifestyle Market, which offers an eclectic
array of beautiful arts and crafts, fashion, jewellery, health and
lifestyle products, and homewares. At the Riverside Markets you'll find plenty of must-have items not found in mainstream shops. Along
with the arts, crafts, jewellery and toys, there's always live,
free entertainment and a relaxed, carnival atmosphere.
If your little girl eschews fashion in favour of the really fun stuff - toys - take her to K&K Creative Toys. There are three stores in Brisbane, each offering traditional and contemporary toys, books and games. There are plenty of inexpensive offerings among the high ticket items. And it's all great stuff.
Where do you take your daughter for a great day out in Brisbane? Add your comments below.
