Everyday Outfits for Children.

Jen Shoop

2 years ago

*Above, my son wears a Buho t-shirt, Arsene et Pipelette shorts (both gifted by Danrie), Natives, and a Fjallraven mini backpack.

My daughter’s riot against wearing a smocked dress this past weekend spurred a lot of conversation with Mr. Magpie and with my own mother. It wasn’t just about clothes, after all — it was about values, expectation-setting, my daughter’s independence. We’ve now set clear ground rules regarding attire in and outside our home, and it feels good to have come up with something that seems to empower and honor her while also accommodating some of our own preferences when in company. It’s striking to me the way we managed for six years without writing anything in the sand about this matter, and, suddenly, it became glaringly obvious that guidelines were needed. New phases, new recalibrations, new capabilities. There were many interesting (and differing!) perspectives in response to this post, but one of the comments that stood out to me was:

“It’s hard when they want to become their own person, but of course that’s exactly what we’re raising them to do.”

Two years ago, a neighbor observed my daughter on Halloween wearing a SpiderMan costume with pink Converse hi-tops. She was lunging and “webbing” her way around the cul de sac, and I’m fairly certain she believed she was SpiderMan. She would occasionally remove her mask and say, “It’s just me!” My neighbor turned to me and said: “My God, your daughter makes me hopeful for the future.” I knew exactly what she meant.

So, onward we go. As a part of this new phase, I am working to accommodate more of her taste preferences into her wardrobe. It is difficult for me to give up the smocked dresses and florals, but here we are! Happily, I found some darling pieces that are a bit less frou-frou and more “Emory”–my independent girl, whom I love fiercely.