Parents of well dressed kids - tell me your secrets!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how do YOU define well dressed and well put together? Are you talking expensive looking clothes or just clean and matching?

OP here. I tend towards classic/preppy so expensive does fit. But I don't think you need to spend a lot on kids clothing to get the desired look. My problem is I think my kids' stuff is a hodge podge of different color palates and styles and I'm not sure I'm doing myself any favors with the haphazard way I shop for them. Wanted to hear what others do who feel like their kids look pulled together every day.

Here's a tip: the more patterns you buy, the harder it is to match things. Less is more. None of DD's leggings have patterns, except one. The ONE patterned pair of leggings is worn with a solid shirt. The shirts with images, sayings, patterns are worn with solid pants. I found a great line of shirts at Macy's called Belle de Jour. The t-shirts are thicker, higher quality than the ones at Old Navy, and they fit DD well, plus a slew were on the clearance racks.

I am very, VERY careful with shirts that say anything. Nothing that a pedophile would see as an invitation (sassy, flirt, cutie), and nothing that would get her made fun of by other kids (my mommy loves me, I'm a princess), and nothing that would get her beat up by older tougher kids (eat my dust and cry).

How old is your kid and where do you live?

[Anonymous]

For my DD I splurged on Hanna Anderseen leggings that would look equality good as pants or under a dress. Bought in basic colors every year (navy, dark pink, black) and then added in different fun colors too (purple, light green, stripes).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid wears a uniform to school. I get like 10 of the same little polo dress, plus a pair or two of pants and shirts in the appropriate colors. Then we accessorize. She likes tights, so we get fancy tights and nice shoes.

The real secret, though, is making sure that her hair is not a mess and all the clothing is intact, unstained, etc. I make sure that her bangs are trimmed and that her hair is brushed and styled (ponytail usually, sometimes more elaborate) every day.

This is one part of it. My kid's hair is always neatly combed, face, clean, etc. There was a girl in my kid's class last year with long hair that was nearly never brushed or styled in any way. I don't think the bar is very high to have a young, school-aged kid looking good. Kids in elementary school look like slobs for the most part. My kid does not wear sweatpants to school and usually wears a collared shirt. I do one H&M order at the start of the school year and order sporadically from Lands End and Target. I also do some of the thrift sales held by the private schools. I am not spending a lot of money--it's less about you shop than how much you value teaching your kid that taking pride in your appearance in not a bad thing.

That was probably my kid. Not my fault. As soon as I brush her hair it gets all crazy again.

[Anonymous]

For girls in the preschool and toddler age, Gymboree is a good choice because you can just buy a couple sets of clothing in whatever their pattern or style du jour is and it's very easy to match the pieces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For girls in the preschool and toddler age, Gymboree is a good choice because you can just buy a couple sets of clothing in whatever their pattern or style du jour is and it's very easy to match the pieces.

Perhaps but it looks overly matchy.

[Anonymous]

One thing the grammas do that I have ZERO patience for is ironing the children's clothes. I. Do. Not. Iron. Teeny. Tiny. Clothes.

Ever.

But I'll admit it makes the cheap clothes look really nice.

[Anonymous]

I thrift frequently. Also, I found a look that works for each child, something that suits their individual personalities. I stick to this general spirit when shopping for them. I keep to the basics, but they each have their signature (piece and color scheme).

They get lots of compliments because they stand out and appear well-defined in terms of their personal style. For me, it's easier to remain consistent. I don't have to think about it much.

[Anonymous]

Haha! Craziest outfit my kid ever wore:

Spring green dress with embroidered pink tulips--very preppy (Gymboree)

Olive green and purple shirt-tunic (Tea Collection)

Jeggings (who knows where)

White sandals (See Kai Run)

Purple-and-green socks (because it was winter) (Smartwool, REI)

Black and white poncho caplet (thrift store find)

A hundred hair clips (various sources)





SHE OWNED HER STYLE! All strut.

[Anonymous]

Whenever I see a consistently well dressed elementary school aged child I think that that he/she must have a mother with misplaced priorities who is squashing their kid's creativity and independence.

I really think it is better if kids choose their own clothes each morning no matter how wacky. It really doesn't matter what they wear and it is a good area to let them have some control over their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whenever I see a consistently well dressed elementary school aged child I think that that he/she must have a mother with misplaced priorities who is squashing their kid's creativity and independence.

I really think it is better if kids choose their own clothes each morning no matter how wacky. It really doesn't matter what they wear and it is a good area to let them have some control over their lives.

my,maren't we a judgy mon?

our kids get to choose 3 days a week, but two days a week, mom or dad choose. MWhy? If we didn't, certain clothes would be worn over and over, and other would never get worn at all.

WE also want to reinforce to our kids that they don't get their way ALL the time -- they need to remain flexible. it also doesn't hurt them to know what a well-put together outfit looks like.

As for the secret of keeping kids well-dressed, I always buy 1-2 sizes up. I only buy super-cute things that reall suit my kids. Because I buy "ahead," we always have nice clothes from the previous season that still fit. so, I can buy only things we really like rather than having to buy stuff because we need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how do YOU define well dressed and well put together? Are you talking expensive looking clothes or just clean and matching?

OP here. I tend towards classic/preppy so expensive does fit. But I don't think you need to spend a lot on kids clothing to get the desired look. My problem is I think my kids' stuff is a hodge podge of different color palates and styles and I'm not sure I'm doing myself any favors with the haphazard way I shop for them. Wanted to hear what others do who feel like their kids look pulled together every day.

Here's a tip: the more patterns you buy, the harder it is to match things. Less is more. None of DD's leggings have patterns, except one. The ONE patterned pair of leggings is worn with a solid shirt. The shirts with images, sayings, patterns are worn with solid pants. I found a great line of shirts at Macy's called Belle de Jour. The t-shirts are thicker, higher quality than the ones at Old Navy, and they fit DD well, plus a slew were on the clearance racks.

I am very, VERY careful with shirts that say anything. Nothing that a pedophile would see as an invitation (sassy, flirt, cutie), and nothing that would get her made fun of by other kids (my mommy loves me, I'm a princess), and nothing that would get her beat up by older tougher kids (eat my dust and cry).

How old is your kid and where do you live?

Middle school, but it's automatic at this point. I've been doing this since she was two or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how do YOU define well dressed and well put together? Are you talking expensive looking clothes or just clean and matching?

OP here. I tend towards classic/preppy so expensive does fit. But I don't think you need to spend a lot on kids clothing to get the desired look. My problem is I think my kids' stuff is a hodge podge of different color palates and styles and I'm not sure I'm doing myself any favors with the haphazard way I shop for them. Wanted to hear what others do who feel like their kids look pulled together every day.

Here's a tip: the more patterns you buy, the harder it is to match things. Less is more. None of DD's leggings have patterns, except one. The ONE patterned pair of leggings is worn with a solid shirt. The shirts with images, sayings, patterns are worn with solid pants. I found a great line of shirts at Macy's called Belle de Jour. The t-shirts are thicker, higher quality than the ones at Old Navy, and they fit DD well, plus a slew were on the clearance racks.

I am very, VERY careful with shirts that say anything. Nothing that a pedophile would see as an invitation (sassy, flirt, cutie), and nothing that would get her made fun of by other kids (my mommy loves me, I'm a princess), and nothing that would get her beat up by older tougher kids (eat my dust and cry).

That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works.

[Anonymous]

Solids and simple patterns (like stripes, plaid, checks), no characters, no stupid slogans, no tacky decals. All in a similar color palette to make it easier to make outfits. Everything clean, no stains. Fold things straight out of the dryer to avoid wrinkles, if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how do YOU define well dressed and well put together? Are you talking expensive looking clothes or just clean and matching?

OP here. I tend towards classic/preppy so expensive does fit. But I don't think you need to spend a lot on kids clothing to get the desired look. My problem is I think my kids' stuff is a hodge podge of different color palates and styles and I'm not sure I'm doing myself any favors with the haphazard way I shop for them. Wanted to hear what others do who feel like their kids look pulled together every day.

Here's a tip: the more patterns you buy, the harder it is to match things. Less is more. None of DD's leggings have patterns, except one. The ONE patterned pair of leggings is worn with a solid shirt. The shirts with images, sayings, patterns are worn with solid pants. I found a great line of shirts at Macy's called Belle de Jour. The t-shirts are thicker, higher quality than the ones at Old Navy, and they fit DD well, plus a slew were on the clearance racks.

I am very, VERY careful with shirts that say anything. Nothing that a pedophile would see as an invitation (sassy, flirt, cutie), and nothing that would get her made fun of by other kids (my mommy loves me, I'm a princess), and nothing that would get her beat up by older tougher kids (eat my dust and cry).

How old is your kid and where do you live?

Middle school, but it's automatic at this point. I've been doing this since she was two or so.

Oh my poor dear confused PP. You should avoid these sayings because they are tasteless, not because they will *tempt* pedophiles. For God's sake. Pedophiles really don't care what the shirt says!!!
Your stupidity is mind-boggling.

[Anonymous]

Where do all these boys live who wear khaki shorts and collared shirts to school every day? At our NWDC private every, single boy (10 year olds) wears athletic shorts/pants every single day.