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| via elsa may |
So we go back to basics - her wardrobe is full of Breton stripes and liberty-esque prints, topped off with red Converse. Can't go wrong with Converse...
A friend overheard me referring to the 'dressing rules' to my daughter and inside I cringed at my prescriptiveness. Don't wear sequins in the day time. Only wear sports clothes when doing sport. Wear natural fibres. Less is more. Shouldn't I be one of those mothers who declare that their daughter can wear whatever they like? 'Express yourself, let your imagination run free'. Yet in real life that attitude doesn't seem to be a keeper. So I have become the custodian of the outfit, rightly or wrongly!
When I was growing up, the single most pervasive message my Mum gave me (after all it's mothers who teach daughters how to dress, surely?) was to be different. To stand out. I lived in fear of being the same as all the other children, although looking back, my circumspect 11-year-old-self did not carry off any outlandish outfit choices. One wonders what Olivia Palermo's mother taught her?! I am intrigued to know...
I fear it is fickle to suggest that clothes matter this much and of course, in all reality, they don't. They are just the outward message and it's our missive to get beyond that and get to know people for their inner qualities. But I still do love the art of dressing, I can't help myself.
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| via elsa may |
Oooh, SUCH a good post Lou!!!! I can really relate.
ReplyDeleteMy mother gave me little or no advice (on anything actually!)....so I do feel that it is my sworn duty to impart what I have learned over the years with regard to fashion to my daughter.
And by "what I have learned" I clearly am referring to the basic rules - since I am no fashion expert :)
I still buy her clothes of course - although she does get more of a say these days.
I do, of course, have a pretty clear idea of how I would like her to dress.....BUT on the other hand, I do want her to be someone who really knows how to create their own style and who wears something simply because she likes it - and simply because of that reason, wears it with confidence. I was never that girl, ever....so I feel I want her to be like that. And actually, I already feel in my ways, she is.
Last Saturday I let her buy a top that wasn't really what I would have chosen - but she really likes it and she looks great in it! I could only wear what my mother chose til I was way too old be be doing that....so I think it's important for my daughter to feel SHE and not me has chosen something.
I guess also there is that thing fashion v style....finding a style rather than following fashion.
A very interesting topic!! I'm sure I'll think of more to say on this ;) XX
...and can I just say, how wonderful that your mother told you to be different & to stand out, hoorah for her!! What a great mother XX
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with Simone! What a great mother you have!I try to tell my daughter the same, not only with regard to clothes but also with regard to her attitude in life. ' Be different and have the courage to keep your own opinion about this or that' . Until now she has done so and that makes me feel very proud.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about ''appropriate' clothes and think that mothers play an important role concerning that.
I am sure you are a great mother, dear Lou! Warm hug, M xx
There are so many inappropriate clothes aimed at young girls - mostly to get them to look older at a far too young age - a good guiding hand in the opposite direction is absolutely necessary.
ReplyDeleteMy Ruby is just 4 but knows exactly what she likes to wear (not all pink and purple thankfully!) and she can easily have 5 outfit changes by lunchtime! As she grows, I shall encourage her to be herself - not to have follow the trend or the crowd, be stylish be different but most importantly be yourself. Her favrouite dress now is blue and white polka dot - gorgeous - which she teams with blue Converse hightops (so right that you can never go wrong with Converse).
I'm now experiencing from my son how important it can be to fit in with your peers at a certain age (nearly 10) and what brand of sports shoe or sock or shirt may be the thing they all want to wear. Up to now, he has completely let me pick his clothes - but this week it changed. We are off to Nike Town this evening!
I have never been a fashionista but I do buy classic pieces and tend not to buy too many trendy things. Taking my niece shopping is an experience as the 80's are back and I doubled over laughing this summer when we were at the mall! She has a style all her own and I love that she exudes so much personality in her wardrobe ~ something she does not get from her auntie!
ReplyDeleteI too find clothing so interesting and until I read your post I hadn't actually thought about how we will deal or navigate our girls' wardrobe eventually. now you have me thinking.
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Hello friend!
ReplyDeleteI am the most terrible blog friend ever.. I hardly ever cruise the bloggosphere anymore and I feel so guilty for neglecting my friends.
I am so time poor that I find that when I do have time, I lack focus or energy. Blah.. But I think of you often and I wonder how you are and how your business is going. I often talk about your amazing blog too. It is one of my faves. xx
I agree with you on the art of dressing and how we apply our personal knowledge and experience to our daughters. I must say that I grow more conservative with age.. and that my daughter is a lot more bold and adventurous than I ever was. I balance a tight rope of allowing her to express herself vs reeling her into what is appropriate. I think 'occasion appropriate' is possibly the most important aspect of style.
Ok darling. On that note I am off with the kidlets. Oscar har soccer and Isabella and I are hanging out court-side.
xx Charlotta
The morning after look :) It looks really great when you look naturally beautiful upon waking up
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