Author: Big Mama

I’m going to be totally honest right up front and let y’all know that my legs have never been more sore in my life. In fact, I tried to limit how many times I went to the bathroom today because I knew once I sat down I’d have to somehow get up. Yet, in spite of my pain, I will press on with Fashion Friday and this very special edition for kids.

Let me start by sharing some pictures with y’all that will confirm my expertise on this matter.

I gave Caroline the choice of three outfits before Kindergarten preview. She picked this and then personally selected the black patent shoes and sunglasses to finish off the look. And that’s gum in her mouth, not a shiny, gold tooth.

This is Caroline on Sunday before she went hunting with P. I like to call this look Truck Stop Chic (chick).

Here she is on Tuesday before heading out for gymnastics. This is how we roll.

And, of course, here she is on the way to pajama day in her iron-on kitten t-shirt.

This is after we went shopping at Nordstroms today. She picked out those sunglasses all by herself. Frankly, I think it’s the best $10.00 I’ve ever spent.

Why is she posing like that? Where did that come from?

Oh yes. It must be genetic.

Clearly, I have the art of dressing a child down to a real science. Learn from me grasshopper.

And hope that your child doesn’t spot Nicole Richie’s sunglasses in Nordstroms after you’ve promised she can pick whichever pair she wants.

1. Jenny asks: “How many outfits does the AVERAGE person have for their child per season? How many pairs of shoes? I mean is 30 way overboard, or just a smidge too much?”

Thirty pairs of shoes or thirty outfits? Either way, will you adopt me? Seriously. I don’t eat that much.

That’s not really true. I can eat quite a bit, but I’m very charming and I sleep through the night.

I don’t know how many outfits Caroline has because I tend to buy most things as separates. She has several different tops and sweaters, a few pairs of jeans, and some dresses. And honestly, as she gets older and more opinionated, she prefers to just keep about four of her favorite things in constant rotation.

As for shoes, she has about five or six pairs. The only shoes I spend more money on are tennis shoes because she wears them almost everyday. All her other pairs come from Target or Payless because she outgrows them faster than a monkey can drink a bottle of tequila.

What do y’all think? What’s average?

2. Holly asks: “How can my daughter, who is 8, be stylish and fashionable without resorting to some of the current trashy trends in the girls’ department?”

Here’s the good news. I think that the trend tides are starting to head back in a more modest, less trashy direction.

Boden has some darling things for kids. Look at this cute shirt. I’d be willing to bet you could find a less expensive version of that at Target.

I love these cropped cargo pants with a fun t-shirt for spring and summer.

I’d like this dress from Lands End for myself, but it would look precious on an 8 year old.

One of my very favorite looks on little girls is a dress with cropped leggings. It’s practical, but stylish.

There are lots of appropriate things out there. Look at this. And this. And this.

I realize I don’t have an eight year old. I just have a four year old with the mind of a fifty-five year old. Even at this tender age, we obviously have our differences on what is appropriate and what is not. I am trying my best to set the precedent that I am in charge of what she wears, but I will let her express her own style as long as it’s appropriate. So even though I am no longer a fan of sparkly glittery unicorn t-shirts, I will let her wear them if that is what appeals to her delicate fashion sensibilities.

I will not, however, allow her to wear a t-shirt that says “Foxy Mama” or “Hot Stuff”. Those are just for me.

3. Babystepper asks: “My little boy grows out of his pants in the length before he even grows into them in the waist. How on earth do I find (comfortable) pants (cheaply) that he can wear that will actually fit him?”

I’ve had this same problem with Caroline. Her waist is so tiny, but she has long legs. Wow, what I wouldn’t give to have someone describe me that way.

Anyway, we’ve had a lot of success with Gap jeans with the adjustable waist. I try to wait for them to go on sale, but they are such good quality. Plus, they seem to have a narrower fit all the way through the leg, so the waist doesn’t look funny compared to the leg fullness. Old Navy has adjustable waist also, but the legs of the jeans are cut fuller and tend to look bulky.

Of course, all I’ve had experience with are the girls’ jeans, so boys could be totally different.

A commenter named Steff J. shared this advice that might help you out. “We use the pull in button ones like you described. The Levi’s work the best for us and we got them at TJ Maxx for 9.99 to 10.99 a pair. Also, there are some at Kohls but I don’t know the brand, but they were 6.99 in one of their 40% off sales.”

It sounds like you might need to head to TJ Maxx. You can’t beat 9.99 a pair.

4. Elizabeth asks: “I also have a wee one starting Kindergarten in the fall, and while I happen to think that Gymboree and big matching bows are appropriate for just about anything life might throw at her, I worry that at some point she may outgrow their wares. On the flip side, I shudder at the thought of sending her off in a faux leather animal print skirt with knee-high boots and a fuzzy faux fur jacket vest (I have seen that exact outfit at Children’s Place) – she’ll look like a miniature Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Where’s the fine line? How do I toe it without making her the laughingstock on the milk and cracker crowd?

Second question – at what point does a little girl outgrow the bishop dress? My sister in law and I have debated this for hours as we both have tiny ones for which they are completely adorable, and pre-Ks who seem to be getting a bit gangly for such dresses. But we are both loath to graduate the “big girls” to big girl dresses just yet. What to do?”

Okay, for your first question I am going to refer you to the answers I gave Holly in question two. I think there are some decent options out there right now and we can just hope that big sweaters and full-length skirts make a huge comeback by the time our girls are in high school.

We can also hope that they are lucky enough to be on the dance team and do a cool salute to “Deep in the Heart of Texas” like we did. (As it turns out, Elizabeth and I attended the same high school and were both Stars. It’s a bond for life.)

As for the second question, I’ve wondered the same thing. I hate to put a specific age limit because I think it depends on the child. Caroline has never owned a lot of bishop dresses because she is just so rough and tumble that they never seemed to really suit her.

As opposed to leopard print velour pants with pink cowboy boots.

However, I think there is nothing cuter than a sweet little girl in a smocked bishop. If you buy them long enough, it takes away from the gangly look. And I think as long as they’re still willing to wear them, go for it.

I ordered this dress for Caroline to wear for Easter. It’s a little less babyish, but still sweet. Although since Easter falls on March 23 she’ll probably be wearing it with her pink down jacket.

Orient Expressed also has this dress which I just love. And it comes in pink too!

I’d buy this one for myself. But I probably can’t fit in a childs size 12.

Anyway, those are some options to the smocked bishop that don’t look too grown up for a little girl.

5. Candace asks: ” My 2.5 year old daughter is going down a road where she is making interesting clothing choices. How do you make sure they keep the eclectic tastes at home and will go out wearing more traditional styles outside of the home? “

Umm. I have no idea.

Y’all have a great Friday!