Yesterday morning Caroline decided to wear this cute pink camo outfit that I bought for her at the end of last summer. Since she’s grown about five inches in the last four months, the pants are no longer pants, but rather more of a capri. I was just thrilled that she wanted to wear something other than jeans.
She put the whole outfit on and I asked her if she wanted to wear her tennis shoes. No, no she did not. She wanted to wear her Barbie mirrored platform dress-up shoes, which she would have been completely allowed to wear over my cold, dead body.
When I told her no, I caused her to “have a lot of tears” and then she headed back to her closet to find a more suitable alternative. She emerged a few minutes later wearing red and white striped socks with a googly-eyed Santa Claus on the side with some red, sparkly mary-janes. It was a fashion combo that looked adorable during the holiday season, but doesn’t necessarily translate to late February. Or paired with pink camo.
I told her she was more than welcome to wear the ensemble to school. In fact, my exact words were, “It’s your prerogative, but for the record, those are Christmas socks.”
And then I had a moment of total clarity where I realized what’s missing from my workout playlist on my iPod. BOBBY B! Old school Bobby B. Because it is my prerogative.
Anyway, before it was all over, she changed out of the Christmas socks into her Hello Kitty! socks and traded the pink camo capris for a pair of jeans. And somehow I managed to get her into the car and off to school without having to to medicate myself.
I may enroll her in private school just for the uniforms. The wardrobe issues have me hanging on to my sanity by a very thin thread, my friends.
Now for the questions.
1. Several people are asking the same basic question: “What about skinny jeans? Am I too old for them? How do I know if they are right for me?”
I’m going to be totally honest and say they might be right for you. They might be everything you’re looking for in a denim partnership and, if so, I wish you and your skinny jeans a lifetime of happiness.
But, for me, they are wrong. It’s not a jean journey that I’m willing to take again. I wore skinny jeans for many, many years, but the majority of those years were before puberty really hit and I developed hips.
The only reason I would personally buy skinny jeans would be to tuck them into a pair of great boots, but I just cannot imagine that I’ll ever go back to the skinny jeans with flats or heels combo. That particular brand of fashion ship has sailed for me.
However, all that being said, they are in style. If you can pull them off, both figuratively and literally, then more power to you. I don’t think there’s an age limit as much as there is a figure limit.
My opinion is that by the time you’re in your late twenties to early thirties, it’s more important to wear something that is truly flattering than to bow to the current trends.
To prove my point this is a picture of A MODEL wearing skinny jeans. A MODEL. She probably eats one celery stick a day with a lemon water chaser and I still think she’d look better wearing jeans with some sort of wider leg.
2. Brandy asks: “Where do you find cute, but affordable scarfs? And purses. I want a cute purse!”
I linked to this on my Stuff I Like page yesterday, but I would totally check out Primo Purses if you’re looking for a fun, affordable purse. They’re going out of business and everything is 40% off. Another great site to find affordable, trendy purses is Aldo.
As for affordable scarfs, they are everywhere right now. Walmart has them in every color for $5.00. FIVE DOLLARS. In the words of the tacky ammunition catalogs that P gets in the mail, that is CHEAPER THAN DIRT.
Especially because the price of dirt has skyrocketed in these tumultuous economic times.
And if you are like me and only venture in Walmart during times of excessive desperation or while participating in a scavenger hunt that requires you to take a picture of an elderly woman covered in tattoos and smoking a cigarette while riding a Rascal scooter, then you might prefer one of these darling scarf options.
Remember, it’s the year of the scarf.
3. Joan asks: “What is your solution to the muffin top? Please don’t say pilates.”
Oh Joan. I promise I won’t say pilates.
I believe that you need to become friends with some body-shaping garments. They are a marvel of modern fashion and make any outfit look better. Spanx makes a phenomenal body-slimming cami that has the ability to corral a muffin top. And Target sells a less expensive version called Assets, but I’ve heard it doesn’t have quite the power of Spanx.
There is one other brand I’ve heard great things about called Yummie Tummie. They are body-slimming tanks that come in a variety of colors and, while they are a little pricey, it’s almost worth it just to be able to tell people you’re wearing a Yummie Tummie.
4. Jessica asks: “I’m going to a rehearsal and wedding in March where the dress code is semi-formal/formal. What can a girl on a budget wear?”
Well, the ideal scenario when you’re on a budget and need two dresses, is to find a friend that’s your size and borrow something. And if you don’t have a friend in your size, then you might want to make a new friend to expand your social horizons and your wardrobe selection.
In all seriousness, your best bet is to probably go somewhere like TJ Maxx or Kohls. It can be hit or miss, but if you dig through the racks you might find some really cute dresses.
And because I hate to not link to something, I think something like this cherry taffeta party dress would be precious for the rehearsal dinner and this black halter party dress could totally work for the wedding paired with some pretty patent heels and sparkly jewelry.
5. Stephanie asks: ” While browsing today at the Fashion Show mall, they had a fashion show on swimwear for the season. Several of the models/ensembles involved wearing gloves with swim suits. There were a variety of lengths and textures- wrist length, elbow length, etc. My husband informed me that maybe its the Summer of the Glove, (I then kicked him in the shin) but it prompted me to ask you if this is a style trend that I was not informed of?”
Oh, I hope so!
Because I know when I’m wearing a swimsuit, my primary insecurities revolve around how my hands look.
Y’all have a great Friday.
I’m putting up Mr. Linky if anyone has any fashion advice they want to share with the group.
Didn’t I mention that our daughters might quite possibly be twins separated at birth?
Last night we were heading out to my son’s basketball game. N, came out of her room with a very cute, but busy, floral long tunic. Well, she chose to wear it as a dress and had on *pink and blue camouflage* tights. She also sported a sparkly silver head band with a trailing scarf attached. She looked like an acid trip, to be honest. I asked if she’d like to tone down the psychedelic haze with maybe the solid flare pants that I had bought with the said top, but no….my little Cindy Lauper was set on her outfit.
I sighed in relief as she then decided to attempt wearing heeled sandals and got frustrated when her big toe could not fit under the strap. So she she put on her pink furry snow boots and headed out the door.
Was it bad that I made an excuse to hit the bathroom as soon as we got to the school, so she walked in with my husband?
As far as skinny jeans…..I sent you that link to my blog about how important I feel a good flattering pair of jeans are. 😉
Happy Friday! 🙂
Just a story about two girls in search of a good fittin’ pair of jeans…..
Love your stories about Caroline! My (soon to be) 10-year-old loves her some holiday socks! I have learned to be gentle in informing her that they may not necessarily match her outfit, as she has a tendency to be easily & dramatically offended. And some days it just ain’t worth the fight. I figure that she can still pass as “cute” for another year…
I couldn’t agree more about the skinny jeans! Why, oh why, even go there, besides they can’t be comfortable!
Never in a million years will skinny jeans find a way into my wardrobe. Or my daughter’s. Or my grandchildren’s. Or my great-grandchildren’s. I’m gonna pass on my love and the necessity of the flare if it’s the last thing I do.
My 20yo daughter wears my skinny jeans now. And all I can do is look at her and say, “I used to be that size????” Then I say with confidence and a whimper, “I USED to be that size!” Being a mama is tough on the figure…for some.
My two girls attend a private school and wear uniforms. The cost of tuition is worth every dime just so I don’t have to fight with them about what to wear every morning. I feel your pain.
OK…flashback to 1989 when I went on a class trip to Russia and a kid on the trip LOVED Bobby Brown and played “It’s my prerogative” all the time. Ahhhh. Memories.
And ditto on the skinny jeans.
I used to say that only very tall, very skinny women could pull of the skinny jean. Then I realized that even they end up looking like anorexic giraffes. It’s just not a good look.
Here’s a fashion question for you that I’ve been pondering for quite some time! What should I wear with some adorable (ON SALE!!!!) winter white courderoy jeans from J.Crew. They are slightly flared and fit well, but I can’t pull any look together w/o so much angst it ruins the (possible) outfit!!
Great post!
But, I do have a question about tucking your boots in your jeans. I won’t wear skinny jeans without boots over them therefore, I don’t own a pair. I don’t know that I would wear the jeans enough for a good ROI (return on investment). Since you don’t have skinny jeans, do you ever tuck your jeans into boots? And if so, HOW?!? Mine always look ridiculous because it’s like their bulging out the top. Also, is it okay to wear Frye Harness boots with your jeans tucked in?!?
I sooooo love your fashion advice. GREAT!!!!!! :o)
I don’t have any comments about what you said other than you crack me up. I stop by for a good laugh every morning, cause I know I can get it here!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
My daughter goes to Catholic school and I am so thankful everyday that I do not have to fight with her about what to wear. On the few days that they can wear whatever they want, it takes us about an hour the night before to agree on an outfit!
I so need you in my life Big Mama. I need you to come and go through my closet and give me serious fashion counseling!
Just wanted to tell you I saw some really cute party/evening dresses at Overstock the other day for between $39.99 and $54.99! They were very cute… possibly for the girl with the wedding.
I think skinny jeans are gross.
And I love Caroline.
You may want to try having her pick out her clothes the night before. It has help me with my 8 year old, so there is no fighting and stress in the morning.
I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks and I’ve really enjoyed it. Today when I read your “About Me” and realized that you’re a Texan I figured out why. 🙂 I’m not from Texas but spent a year and a half there for my church on a missionary service, and that’s where I met my husband. Only, I spent most of my time in the Austin area, so I have to say it – Hook ’em Horns. 🙂 Love the blog – you crack me up every day.
You are a daily read…love your humor. I dread the day when I have to relinquish wardrobe control to my son. 🙂
I just knew that you were going to say that due to P being in the landscape business he did indeed confirm that the scarf was cheaper than dirt! And gloves with a bathing suit? Seriously? That would become and issue with tan lines!
Any girl worth her weight in gold wears holiday socks out of season- a few days ago I walked out of the house to meet my friends for brunch; my mom shaking her head at my white and red Valentine’s socks worn with red Chuck Taylor’s. I’m 24.
I would like to mention that if you live near a Neiman’s Last Call, they have a lot of Spanx merch for about half the price of the website!
First let me say that I too have a girl that I thougth might kill me with fashion issues.. .she’s 12 now and getting better… by the time she could talk she had an opinion about her clostes…
second, I have the same Walmart issues…new walmart by our house and I would rather drive the extra 3 traffic lights to target…but here in Lubbock where we moved a year ago, no Super Target… It’s a target mistake, they soooo need it here!!! This is not the fashion capital of Texas!!!
I’m a new mom, and I will NEVER wear skinny jeans. I thought they looked bad on me when I was a size 4. And now….hahaha. No. Boot cut forever.
As for scarves, I saw the ones at Walmart and was severely tempted. Target has some really nice ones as well. However, I got three at Old Navy and they’re my favorite.
Private school is totally worth it for the sake of my sanity when it comes to the uniform!! I am hoping they learn some stuff too. Just kidding. I have 2 girls (7&8) and we go through the same thing. I have given up. They will have to see the pictures when they get older. Because I have gotten some good pictures; the swimsuit with butterfly wings, goggles and slippers comes to mind.
My kindergarten son left the house today in camo shoes, camo underwear, camo pants and his favorite RAINBOW shirt (aka tie dye). Apparently he’s planning on taking the summer off to travel with the Grateful Dead.
Skinny jeans make me think of junior high – um, let’s see, I was there in about 1990, I think – when we rolled our jeans to make them tight at the ankle. It was all about how tight you could roll! Can’t say I’m ever going back there.
I just love the things I learn about from my online peeps. I now need a bunch of yummy tummy stuff.
Thank you for reminding me that I’m so very lucky. My 5 1/2 yr. old daughter will wear whatever I choose for her. No questions asked. Thank-you God.
This comment is related to your bathroom cleaning issues and not Fashion Friday, but I didn’t want you to miss it. If you lived in my neck of the woods (British Columbia) I’d be inviting you to my Norwex party on Monday morning at 10:00….but since you don’t I’ll just tell you about this product. I’ve been using their microfiber cleaning cloth and polishing cloth since November and I am a huge fan…sold on it. It is embedded with silver which makes it 99.9% anti-bacterial and the purpose is to be able to clean with WATER ONLY. No more toxic cancer-causing fumes. No more streaky windows and mirrors (for real!!!). This cloth is cleaning off stuff I didn’t know could be cleaned off….and the kitchen cloth never smells. You just rinse it with soapy water and hang it to dry each night. It’s a miracle!! Yes, it is a little bit of an investment at first, but so worth it in the long run. I am freeing up a whole cupboard where I use to keep cleaning supplies and a whole drawer of kitchen clothes/tea towels. I would especially be all over this if I had young children….easy for them to help without having to spray any nasty cleaners. Apparently it is amazing on shower doors. Enough said…you’d think I was a Norwex dealer. That being said, you’re welcome to come to my party on Monday….the airfare is cheap and you’d probably recover the cost in your cleaning product savings!! Take care….Leanne
Those Assets from Target work very well, let me tell you. They cost about 2/3 of what Spanx cost (even at The Rack). I don’t leave the house without them.
As for skinny jeans, amen and amen and AMEN. No one over the age of 21 or with a positive body fat percentage level should be running around in them. Sometimes I want to pull aside my little undergraduate students and just say, “No, honey. No.”
I will agree (as a woman with hips!) skinny jeans are definitely NOT for everyone! 🙂 Thanks for all your fun advice!
I would just like to comment on your fabulous diction in your advice for your reader to “find a friend IN her size.” Set me to laughing. 😉
I may or may not have spewed my morning coffee over the Walmart scavenger hunt. Thank you for your ministry. (:
Okay so I am assuming you need to be skinny to wear skinny jeans, HA! I will never see them in my closet, or my 17 year old daughters. I wish I were smaller but still don’t think I would wear those. Like the boot cut myself.
I am so glad you blogged about the Spanx tanks. I have a lot of v-neck shirts that require a tank underneath for modesty, and since I live in the deep South that means any kind of shapewear is out – who wants to wear 3 layers? I’m going to check out the Spanx tanks and hopefully get the benefit of 2 layers in one!
love the fashion updates….and agree completely concerning the skinny jeans. seriously…who the heck dreams this stuff up?
And as far as Caroline’s wardrobe issues….I live it every morning as well with my 7 year old fashion queen. Pink warm up pants with a pink gymnastics shirt with white handprints that says “got chalk” and then she rushes to ask what shoes and comes back with a pair of puddle jumpers we bought for Christmas outfits….red leather with white polka dots. lovely. just lovely.
enjoy your posts….you keep me laughing!
I’m not even sure that those under 20 can pull off the skinny jean. I watched a very thin 15 year old in them today, and could only think how terrible they made her back end look. It’s just a very rarely flattering look.
I’m not sure there is such a thing as “New School Bobby B,” is there? Old school would be New Edition, retro is “My Prerogative.” Nothing since.
Just a thought on letting your daughter wear really what she wants. My daughter (7) usually picks out a very cute outfit….but there are times, when I’m going “Really….?????” I always say, “Do the kids at school say anything about what you wear?” and she says “Nope!” So I figure, one day they will….when she’s older….and then she’ll stop wearing the mixed patterns or 2 shades of blue.
Gotta love their independence tho!!! Go Caroline!!!
Have a great weekend, thanks for sharing with us!!!
Lori
I actually bought a pair of skinny jeans back in the fall. I totally got sucked into it by a bunch of 20-somethings standing around telling me how GREAT they looked on me.
So I bought them.
And I brought them home and tried them on about once a week for 12 weeks trying to talk myself into a scenario where I could wear them and not feel like a complete fool.
The day before the time to return them ran out I took them back.
Sometimes, even if you CAN do something, it doesn’t mean you SHOULD do something.
My kindergartener wears uniforms, but guess what… even uniforms have some options. Blue cardigan with pockets or without? Jumper or skort today? Long sleeves or short? ::sigh::
I always love reading your Fashion Friday posts! One additional suggestion for the girl looking for dresses for the wedding…try consignment shops. They seem to be making a resurgence during this poor economy and you can often find great deals there. Happy Saturday!
OK. My 3 have had the flu for what feels like 100 years and I have not been blogging or reading blogs. However, it was very nice to sit down this afternoon and catch up on your blog. You crack me up, as usual.
Also, I can’t do the skinny jeans either, more power to the chicks that can. 🙂
I want to add Slimpressions to your list of Shapewear. It’s my favorite so far. I’ve tried Yummie Tummys (I cannot type that without giggling) and Spanx. For some reason, Slimpressions doesn’t create creases at the waist. AND they have one that doesn’t cover the chest area, creating the unfortunate uniboob. 😉 Oh yeah – it slims the arms too, if that is a concern.
Oh and the skinny jeans – that is SURELY a man’s invention. I like the straight leg for tucking into boots, but the skinny jean is just WRONG for 99% of the population.
Did I ever thank you for encouraging me to try the jeans-tucked-into-boots look? I am such a fan now.
i have a shoe problem, and i think you might be able to help. i don’t wear flats. ever. i’ve tried, but i don’t like them. this is partly because i’m very short and partly because i don’t think i personally look very cute in them. so, here’s the problem…what do i wear to football games? the texas state fair?? events that require LOTS of walking/standing? i think i need something more casual than the various heels that i have. i would LOVE any suggestions. thanks!
When I went to the Spandex link you provided, I found that NONE of those models NEED an entire tank made of fat squishing material. Does anyone else find this disturbing?
I’ve said this like five times before, but your Caroline WILL be the daughter of one of my daughter in laws. I won’t mention any names, but she has a blog. http://www.grahamcrakas.blogspot.com/
I love reading about Caroline and her wardrobe. Having raised 2 boys who wore either khakis or jeans everyday, I am living my own fashion drama through your blog posts! blessings.
I feel the EXACT SAME way about skinny jeans. I usually look at them and think “okay, maybe this would work on someone out there, but I don’t think that someone is you.”
Big Mama, you should try homeschooling! You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches in the child-wardrobe department. Tank top, underwear, and flip-flops in January? No problem! Just wrap a blanket around her while she works. The only downfall is that she may end up changing her attire 20 times a day, creating more laundry than you ever thought imagineable. But the way I see it, this is just one more way to foster creativity. I tell Kaya all the time that I think she’ll be a fashion designer one day. For the most part, I just let her wear what she wants. Let’s just say she takes “eclectic” to a whole new level.
Thanks for answering my question. I’ll go check them out. Spring is comming and I can’t wear baggy sweaters and sweat shirts all year. I lost 30 lbs and want to start looking the part. I think the muffin top is the last fat to go. 🙁
Thanks again!
Blessings
I know i say this all the time, but… you continually keep me laughin!
Your blunt humor – it’s so funny to me!
Our Public schools have moved to uniforms – it’s a blessing and a curse.
Hope you have a great week!
I’m a little late leaving a comment but I never miss a Fashion Friday!
I have a 17 year old daughter and let’s just say that the mother-daughter dual over clothing choices won’t end anytime soon for you. I wished I could be more encouraging but I must speak the truth…in love.
I purchased one of those spanx tanks and it is worth every single penny that I spent on it!!!
Hi Big Mama–
I have a fashion question and knew you were the one I could count on for good advice. I am attending an afternoon wedding next month (April) and already bought a pretty spring sleeveless dress. It might be warm the day of the wedding but it is very likely to still be chilly in Virginia. What is the appropriate thing to wear with a sleeveless spring dress if the weather is too cold to wear it alone?
“And if you are like me and only venture in Walmart during times of excessive desperation or while participating in a scavenger hunt that requires you to take a picture of an elderly woman covered in tattoos and smoking a cigarette while riding a Rascal scooter”
Can I tell you that this is just about the very funniest thing I have read. Ever. Thanks for really making me LOL!