Greetings all,
I have never complained about teen or tween fashion because i simply don't have a personal problem with it. I have always found gorgeous quality, well priced, non trashy clothes for my 4 children with ease. I avoid the rubbish & black vamp gear, who on earth designs & buys those awful clothes?? Not me. I don't even go into the stores which sell them.
Alas, i was faced with a dilemma yesterday in David Jones. I took these pretty children's size 12 Gumboots designed denim shorts to the counter & explained my issue to the lovely Fiona (mother of 4 adult daughters, perfect mentor) siting my 13 year old is slim & these shorts would still be baggy on her, yet hips have to be coming eventually . . . however, i'm stuck with a teen fashion dilemma . . . these shorts would look adorable on my daughter this Summer, but incredibly inappropriate on her more developed peers. Can she simply get away with these little short shorts, because she looks younger than her age?? It's the whole over-sexualisation of children issue. Are we over thinking it?? Clearly these are a simple pair of Summer shorts on a sweet young lady?? Is it Ok because she doesn't have hips & boobs, boys & men won't be looking at her?? Why do i think the same shorts would be inappropriate if she did have a woman's body?? She still an innocent mind?? She has red & khaki shorts the same size, wears them often, no worries. Is it because these are denim?? They're not even tight Daisy Dukes!!
I bought them. She didn't like them. The fabric patches "aren't my style Mum". Said she'd wear them around the house & to the pool. But not out. Problem solved?? Her sisters love them. See you for round 2 in 2 years when the twins want to wear them!!
Now i never complain about boys fashion either, because i stick to a few brands - Fred Bare, Country Road & Seed. Their graphics aren't offensive or cliche, they are clever & cool, printed on quality of Tshirt material with strong stitching.
Yes, Fred Bare boys Tshirts are $40 each (i wait for discounts & sales) but they for last years & don't fade. In fact, these two Ts i picked up yesterday, fit all 4 of my children & all 4 will wear them too. Children's fashion is my hobby, truly, that is why i spend money on it where others spend cash on coffee, takeaway food & pricey events . . . i save up for children's fashion, good quality & style. Once children hit school they have a uniform 5 days a week, they require a small selection clothes, so i invest in the good gear. I'm also an expert in stain removal, so yes, they do wear these clothes to messy play dates & dare i say it, my daughters wear dresses to parties & my son wears a button down shirt - they are often the only children not in jeans & Tshirts, the mums comment (often to mock me) i reiterate - children's fashion is my hobby.
My sister openly knocks me about my obsession with designer children's fashion . . . guess who asks for the hand-me-downs?? FYI i've kept all my sons tiny Fred Bare clothes to make into a patchwork quilt for when he runs off with some wife who steals him away from me.
Do you share my interest on children's fashion?? Have you moved into the murky water of teen fashion yet?? Love Posie
