What exactly is Style when it comes to baby?

It’s funny how the words “kids fashion” immediately brings on an image of an 8 year old girl with long flowing hair, flawless skin, and the most brightest smile one has ever seen – filling the pages of next season’s Sears catalogue (does the Sears Catalogue even exist?).  She is either walking a dog, laughing with her friends, or saying goodbye to her proud mother as she skips into the front doors of her perfectly kept school.  In any scenario, she is wearing the most perfectly pleated skirt, her brightest white lace socks, and a pair of perfectly snug scuff-free patent leather maryjanes.

Right up until I was 8 myself – that is how I imagined fashion to be:  The perfect scenario.

But that’s not what fashion is.  At least not to me.  Granted – this only happened the second I turned nine –  when I woke up and smelled the Caramel Apple Spice (Tall, easy on the whip and drizzle please). It donned on me that fashion is far from perfect.  It’s not about the label or the actual article of clothing itself.  It’s the beauty found in the imperfections.  It’s about style.  My style.  Your style.  His style.  Her style.  It’s how we wear it, share it, and definitely how we pair it.

Fashion is about embracing your own personal style, and as we say as an ongoing mantra at the BabyStylista homefront – OWNing it.

Here are some tips that might help your ultra swag stylin’ kiddos Wear it.  Share it. And Pair it:

1.  Think ahead.  What’s the big plan for the day?  Is it a party?  A regular day at school?  Hiking with dad?  Going to the game?  Make sure l’il man’s outfit works with the situation.  One of my fab fashion-conscious mamas always makes sure that her 2 year old curious little monkey of a son keeps his cute outfits in tact by saving them for the NON-playschool days.  She has a plethora, yes, PLETHORA of play-to-disarray-worthy clothes straight off the clearance rack at Carters in one (or two, or three) drawers, miles away from his section of super stylin’ H&M chinos and Gap skinnies.  Even though his “good” clothes are still casual cute… they’re still CUTE, and most likely on the higher end of the budget allowance spectrum – so Mama THOUGHT AHEAD when digging into his wardrobe for the most appropriate wear for play.  Good call mama.

It’s PLAY-time!

PRETTY at the playground:

I WANNA play: 

GOING to a play: 

I AIN’T playin:

2.  Comfort is key.  What good is cute if the outfit is going to spend most of its existence in a drawer along with the other itchy, too big, too small, unwearable, uncomfortable clothes?  It’s important that little Miss feels as comfortable as she does confident, because these kiddos don’t have the time nor the patience to be dealing with a snag here and a sag there.  They want something that fits, feels good, and doesn’t cause them any unnecessary drama.  A couple tips:  When it comes to babies, think organics and breathable fabrics.  Avoid materials that are too warm, too lacy, or anything that can cause irritation to baby, and you – as you are their snugglebuddy, after all.  Toddlers are movers and shakers, so think flexibility and again, breathability.  You can have a little more fun with your pre-schoolers as they may actually start to develop their own sense of style to some degree.  They may even be inclined to play dress-up.  So if feathers, star shaped shades, and superhero-inspired looks is what they’re going for, well, good golly Miss Molly, give them what they want! Just watch out for fire hazards, and make sure little one is feeling as blissful as they…ahem, ahem… look.

3.  Be you.  This should absolutely be yours and your mini’s daily mantra.  It’s essential to know who you are and to not be afraid to bask in your own “you-ness”.  The same wise mama who told me her little secret about separating play clothes from cool clothes, also once told me – in a drunken stupor:  “Your poor daughter looks like a wrestler today with her red rufflebutt, too-small black tank, and military boots.  She is going to kill you when she realizes what you dressed her in”.  Lucky for me – I have a couple years (or a few months, depending on maturity development) – before she starts to argue that Big Daddy is indeed the all-knowing when it comes to baby girl fashion – and pink, lace dresses are in fact, the only option for a little girl.  Until then, your baby’s style is really just a reflection of your own, and I have absolutely been a huge fan of big boots and unexpected coordinates.  So I am a proud mama whose daughter will prance around causing a stir in her red rufflebutt undies, a tank that is much too small for her, and black wrestler boots.  As long as it’s who I am (and thus, who baby is, until she realizes who she really is), that’s all that really matters.

“…AND IN THIS CORNER… FROM PARTS UNKNOWN….”

3.  We live in a world where we are constantly limited to rules and expectations.  But when it comes to personal style, there are no rules.  With the exception of one, as far as I’m concerned:  Don’t be afraid to make a statement!  Bold colors, unexpected patterns, vibrant accessories, neon laces on a classic boot, a roaring twenties ladies cap, fur trimmed monkey pants – they all make a statement, and that statement is: This is who I am.   If I’m different from you, all the better – at least my mama can spot me a mile away.  Another very wise mom (boy, I’m a lucky gal), once told me – she was more than pleased to know that her kids were different from everyone else’s, because in an emergency (ie: If you happen to blink and lose them at the playground for a mere second) – all she needs to scream out to the passer-bys is… “MY KIDS: BIKER JACKET WITH STRIPES, WISPY ASYMMETRICAL CUT, PIGGY TAILS AND BANGS” – and voila – some good samaritan will have these two monkeys under their arms kicking and screaming wanting to climb on the monkey bars.  So making a statement not only has the benefit of well… making a statement – but it also provides some sort of safety measure for our kids (am I just grasping at straws here?  Why yes… I am… 🙂 But let’s face it – when your child is making a blatant fashion statement that screams their personality – isn’t it easy to spot them a mile away?

4.  As an extension to Numero 2 above, what little one wears is a reflection of his/her personality.  If he’s more of a bow tie and suspenders kind of guy (even when it’s not in trend, as it is today), or she’s a whimsical Rainbow Brite kind of gal, or someone who prefers hats over piggy tails, or bowl cuts over faux hawks – then so be it.  Style is such tangible way to express oneself and make a statement – whether bold, or muted.  Experimentation or trial and error – whatever you call it –  is a beautiful thing.  And implementing ideas gathered from look books, or the other kids at play school, adding your own little twists (or what we like to call “tweaking the trend“), is exactly how one develops their own style.  In other words, don’t be afraid to allow little man to wear his playful, rascal self on his sleeve. Remember, how we choose to dress is our subtle (and in my case, not so subtle) way to bring to light our true colors, our characters, our interests, and how we want to be seen.  It doesn’t define us, or change us – but it sure gives those who look at us something to talk about.  So for goodness sakes, give them something to talk about!

Stylishly yours,

db

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