I posted this simple photo on my Facebook page a week or so ago and asked parents if their children typically look this put together on a regular day.
Now, before I begin, let me say that I think she’s adorable. Really cute. But my second thought was, “I want that dress.” My third thought was, “Wait, how old is she? Why am I coveting a dress that a 3 (4?) year old is wearing? Something’s not right.”
I don’t look NEARLY that pulled together on a regular basis and I’m 26. The thought of trying to make sure everything is matching and I look fly at 3? That’s kind of ridiculous.
I’ve only recently started to think about my kids’ “style,” mainly because they are starting school and won’t be up under me all day. Plus, I think my children are cutie-pies just as they are and no accessories or cute shoes (or lack thereof) will ever change that. I want my kids to be kids. I want them to play and run at the park. I want my daughter to climb and jump and run without me having to hold her purse and sunglasses and change her into “play shoes.” She’s 5. And guess what? That requires sneakers. Sneakers that will sometimes get dirty. *shrug* That’s childhood.
I make sure my kids look presentable. Clothes are clean, ironed, fit properly, etc. But I ain’t about to go broke building them a designer wardrobe when they won’t last more than a season. It’s all cool I suppose if your budget allows it, but if it doesn’t? Re-examine those priorities. I like my kids’ $5 shirts from Target just fine.
I have enough going on in my life that I don’t make my kids’ “fashion” a priority. I know a lot of parents do, and they take pride in all the cute little outfits they find and post their photos to Facebook and Instagram on a daily basis. That’s fine.
I want my kids to have fun. Life is long and you’ve got plenty of time to figure out your personal style as the years go by. But at 3? Can we focus on reading, playing, learning? Now excuse me, I need to go figure out where that little girl got that dress from.
Where do you stand on your kids’ clothes? Are you all about style or function? Or both?
Okay, the girl in this picture is super cute! Our budget doesn’t allow for our daughter to go all Diva out, even I don’t do that. But we do make allowances for accessories when she feels like getting dressed up. Most days, its a dress-shirt, and pants that she can run around in.
Sneakers are staples if we’re going to the park, and know we’re going to be running around, but most of the time, she likes to wear her sparkle shoes.
I think it’s good for a girl’s self esteem to be into things, but I am worried about how it will create the extreme diva attitude when they grow up. Will parents really have the funds to keep up what they started?
The dress I believe is Ralph Lauren…but honestly I have a boy and girl and the way those kids look are “cute” but it’s just too much effort on my part. The accesories and hair and then to keep them that way( not getting dirty ect) . Maybe if they have somewhere special like a party or holiday but NOT eveyday. You also have to think what does that show them as they get older. I mean thy are children! What happen to children being just adorable because they are little. Idk I guess I’m old fashion in that way. Lucky they have their dad who is definately the cool parent in their book. Lol
Love the article and totally agree. Kids should be kids and have fun. Besides will she be able to wear these shoes and outfit in a few months anyway? im practical. kids grow and they grow out of clothes.
I marvel at women who are fashionistas, let alone children!
I think I’m a little of both with my child. I can dress her fashionable on a budget because I don’t believe on spending a lot of money on kids clothes they are just gonna grow out of. But if she chooses to wear a dress and sandals im going to let her. She can play and scuff those sandals to hell, doesn’t matter to me. she can be cute and fashionable and still play like a kid.
I don’t have any children, but when I do I want them to look stylish. I guess since fashion is my career that’s how I look at it. I have to admit though, I probably won’t spend so much money on designer clothes, maybe an outfit or two for a special occasion. Target, baby/kids Gap, and even Walmart make the cutest clothes which happen to be very affordable. Parents should just remember that children don’t know the difference between designer clothing, and more affordable clothing.
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to
my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off
topic but I had to tell someone!
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