Make It Real – Fashion Design Sketchbook: City Style - Ins

The Verdict

A Fashion Sketchbook That Actually Respects Young Designers

Most fashion design toys for kids are either too babyish or too complicated. The Make It Real Fashion Design Sketchbook: City Style threads that needle surprisingly well, and the 4.7-star average across 235 ratings suggests I’m not alone in that assessment.

This is a spiral-bound sketchbook built around the “City Style” aesthetic — think streetwear, urban chic, and trendy looks that actual tweens would want to wear. If you’ve ever watched a 10-year-old roll her eyes at a “girly princess” design kit, you understand why this matters.

What You Actually Get

The book comes with multiple pre-drawn fashion figure templates on thick cardstock pages. The smart design choice here is that kids don’t need to draw bodies — they trace or draw directly over the figure outlines and focus entirely on the clothing design. That removes the biggest frustration point for young artists who have great ideas but lack the technical drawing skills to execute them.

The pages are perforated, so finished designs can be torn out and displayed or shared. That’s a small detail, but it makes the book feel more like a professional portfolio than a disposable activity pad.

Build Quality and Real-World Use

The cardstock is noticeably thicker than standard notebook paper. That matters because young designers erase constantly, and thinner paper would tear or wrinkle within a week. Parents who’ve bought cheaper sketchbooks know exactly what I’m talking about.

The spiral binding lies flat when open, which sounds trivial until you’re trying to color near the spine. The book holds up to being stuffed in backpacks and tossed on bedroom floors — the cover is sturdy enough to survive typical tween handling.

What buyers consistently praise: The age-appropriateness. One parent noted, “My 11-year-old actually uses this daily — she’s designed over 20 outfits and loves that the styles look like what she’d see on Instagram, not in a toddler coloring book.” Another reviewer mentioned it’s “perfect for a budding fashionista who isn’t ready for professional illustration tools.”

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be honest about the limitations. There are no finished color examples or step-by-step tutorials included. A kid who’s never thought about shading, fabric texture, or color theory will be working completely blind. For a complete beginner, that’s a real gap.

The single-theme focus is also worth noting. This is the “City Style” edition — if your child wants to design ball gowns, beach wear, or fantasy costumes, she’ll need a different edition. The book does what it does well, but it’s not comprehensive.

Finally, the included accessories are minimal. You get the sketchbook itself — you’ll need to supply your own colored pencils, markers, or fashion illustration tools. That’s not a dealbreaker, but budget for supplies if you’re buying this as a gift.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it for: The 8-14 year old who already loves fashion, draws on everything she can find, and wants a structured outlet for her creativity. This is also an excellent gift for a kid who’s shown interest in fashion design but isn’t ready for digital tools or expensive illustration classes.

Skip it if: Your child needs heavy guidance and step-by-step instruction, or if she’s already beyond beginner sketching and needs professional-grade figure drawing templates instead.

FAQ

Is this appropriate for a 7-year-old? The recommended age is 8+, and that feels right. Younger kids may struggle with the more detailed fashion templates and get frustrated without visual examples. A 7-year-old who’s a confident artist could handle it, but it’s not the best fit for casual users.

Does it come with markers or colored pencils? No. You’ll need to buy coloring supplies separately. Colored pencils work best because they allow for finer detail work on the smaller template areas.

Are the pages one-sided or double-sided? The pages are printed on both sides, but since they’re perforated, you can tear out completed designs. If you’re using markers that bleed through, put a piece of scrap paper underneath while working.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5 — The Make It Real Fashion Design Sketchbook: City Style earns its strong reputation. It’s a well-constructed, thoughtfully designed creative tool that fills a genuine gap between babyish coloring books and professional illustration resources.

Buy it if your tween or teen is serious about fashion and wants a portable, self-directed creative outlet.

Skip it if you need a complete all-in-one kit with supplies and tutorials included — this is a sketchbook, not a full craft set.

The 4.7-star Amazon rating is justified. It’s not a perfect product — the missing examples and single-theme limitation hold it back slightly — but for the right kid, this will be the most-used item in their room for months.