Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No claims to chic perfectionism here. However, these are my fashion guidelines for my kids:


1. Rock-n-roll haircut that is kind to messy hair -- a bit of follicular muss adds to the "hipness" of the look. Godsend for making a messy kid look more intentional. Also helps that we live in the PNW where this kind of look is considered cool and normal rather than counter-cultural.

2. Several really good and durable basics that you can layer layer layer. I don't mind spending a little more $$ on pants that otherwise would get scuffed and ripped. Again, we tend to go for "cool" rather than precious. For this, www.peekkids.com or www.zarakids.com . To layer with less expensive options, we go for H&M and sometimes Gap. Sequins are the t-shirt embellishment of choice for my preschool and almost third grade girls--layer, layer, layer: leggings + skirt; long sleeve shirt under short sleeved T; dress + blazer. That sort of thing.

3. Let your kid mix and match wacky patterns that make your eyes bleed. They're young: they make it work. Funny how "wearing all my favorite things at once" can make a great statement when you're ages 4-10. Hell, it works for women in their 60s too: Think Betsey Johnson!

I've read all the responses so far, and this is the first person who actually sounds like she dresses her kids well (or helps them to dress well). And, of course, PP doesn't actually live in DC. The rest of these responses are explanations for how to dress your kid like an uptight, nerdy prep. No thank you. PP -- your kids sound cool. They would definitely stand out in DC (in a good way, IMO).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read all these replies, but I've been letting my children pick out their own clothes since they were 3. I'm surprised how many of you care so much about what your children wear. I only say no if it's completely inappropriate, like shorts in the winter or if it is picture day. I want them to develop their own style.

Do you let them pick their daily outfit, or what to buy at the store? I do the former, not the latter. Thus, their choices have been at least somewhat pre-determined by me. It's a happy medium.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read all these replies, but I've been letting my children pick out their own clothes since they were 3. I'm surprised how many of you care so much about what your children wear. I only say no if it's completely inappropriate, like shorts in the winter or if it is picture day. I want them to develop their own style.

Do you let them pick their daily outfit, or what to buy at the store? I do the former, not the latter. Thus, their choices have been at least somewhat pre-determined by me. It's a happy medium.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read all these replies, but I've been letting my children pick out their own clothes since they were 3. I'm surprised how many of you care so much about what your children wear. I only say no if it's completely inappropriate, like shorts in the winter or if it is picture day. I want them to develop their own style.

style is learned. wearing random crap is not style.

It's not random to the person who picked the clothes out, even if the person is 3.

Oh please.

How old does a person have to be before it's "style" vs. "clothes that don't go", in your opinion? I'm asking sincerely. Evidently three-year-olds are too young to have their own style; how about eight-year-olds? Or 12-year-olds? Or 20-year-olds?