Tell me about your childhood: Designers look to their pasts for fashion inspiration at the March Children's Club Show, Javits Center, NYC.

TRENDS

Viva Le Poncho. The poncho replaces the t-shirt as this seasons "It" item. The poncho makes a comeback in hot colors, fuzzy textures and grandma's crocheted afghan squares. Details such as big pompoms edge the hem.

Back to the Future. Designers returned to the sixties, seventies and eighties for motivation. The psychedelic decade was represented by mod prints and minis; textured knits, and grandma's horizontal stripe knit sweaters recalled the 70's; the 80's made a comeback with punky plaids, denim jackets and ripped and layered t-shirts.

Mix it Up. Shirts and dresses sported a mix of vintage florals, stripes and paisleys in a single garment producing a richly textured item.

To Dye For. Tie-dyes are still going strong. This season they show up in luxe cashmere sweaters and crushed velvet dresses.

Up and Down and All Around. Stripes everywhere. Striped sweaters, t-shirts, corduroy skirts and pants, baby bags and ponchos.

The Little Lady. Boucle knits and novelty tweeds in pinks and corals sewn up in the prettiest suits, skirts and dresses a la Coco Chanel. Big silk or floppy velvet bows closed the jackets' fronts and sometimes added detail in back for extra femininity. Unfinished edges kept the suits from being too serious.

A Boy's Life. Seattle in the 90's grunge or total luxury with real leather, suede and gorgeous print shirts.

Pucker Up. Ruching, ruffles peeking out of the back of skirts and puckered front t-shirts soften any look.

Over It. Layered sweaters over t-shirts topping skirts or jeans. Printed or textured tights added one more layer of interest.

Inside Out. Serging in contrasting colors edged necklines, sleeves and hems of t-shirts exposing the garment's construction.

Great Coats. Kids cover up in style this season. Designers belted trenches and super soft tweed coats, or printed images on faux suede for the season's hippest outerwear. Fluffy furs were dyed in colors never seen on the back of any animal - think powder puff pink or electric blue.

SILHOUETTES

Skirting the Issue. Just above the knee or minis in straight or slightly A-line shapes show off pretty legs. Pleats look preppy or punk in plaid; dignified and chic in tweed.

Get a Leg Up. Denim is still popular in simple boot cut styles for girls; baggy straights for boys.

The Shirtwaist. Either belted in denim or striped and tied, the shirtwaist looks fresh this season.

Jump for Joy. The jumper was empire-waisted and tied with a ribbon or cord, unadorned and A-lined or bordered with a contrasting color or pattern. Horizontal striped t-shirts or great, mixed up print blouses completed the ensemble.

COLORS

A Warm Front. Red, burgundy, pink, rose, peach, sunny yellow, and orchid in combinations of two or more add heat to this season's looks.

A Little Pink With Your Cocoa? Dusty pink and warm cocoa colored infant wear to specialty dresses. Brown and blue is the second runner up in the best color combination competition.

Not So Neutral. Rich khakis, charcoal gray, olive-toned khakis and cream were hit with a flash of orangey red to enliven the look.

PATTERNS

-Stripes on everything.

-Tie-dyed looks still strong.

-Mod Sixty's prints in blue and brown or pink and cocoa combinations.

-Kenzo-like florals on elegant coats.

-Plaids on skirts, coats and pants.

-Tiny florals mixed with stripes and plaids.

-Grandma's afghan squares in bright colors lit up ponchos and sweaters.

-Simple floral motifs were printed or embroidered on the edges of skirts and dresses.

FABRICS

Crush on You. Crushed velvet added richness and romance to dress wear. Tie dying adds a hip edge to the cloth.

Loop-do-Loop. Wooly, shaggy textures made sweaters and ponchos fun.

Tweeds. Tweeds in novelty yarns and wool boucles dressed up mid-priced sportswear and better girls' suiting. Loose fitting boys' tweed pants worn with funky sweaters or vests lent a hip edge to the serious look.