I was surprised a few weeks ago to read on one of my favorite blogs how strongly opinionated many people are about baby boy clothes. This particular young mom basically snubbed even the thought of putting denim on your baby, and suggested that dressing him in anything less than designer old-fashioned sissy-boy clothes was in her opinion, unacceptable. She even said she doesn't think little boys should look like little mini-versions of their dads, they should look like babies.
Anyway, it got me to thinking... and while everyone is entitled to their opinions, I have to say, I completely DISAGREE! First of all, I cringe when I see toddler boys walking around in little prissy outfits. I can appreciate the sweetness of an all-white Feldman Brothers romper on a newborn, or for a Baby Dedication/Christening, or even Easter or portraits.... but not on a two-year-old! And certainly not for everyday outings!
For several reasons:
1. Boys ARE little men. They are meant to play rough and get dirty and be wild and even at a young age, their masculinity should be celebrated, not squashed. From the time he was about 4 months old, Josiah just looked too "boy-ish" to put him in any fancy baby clothes. If I think he would be embarrased as a teenager to know what I dressed him in as a baby, then no thanks!
2. It's simply not practical! Babies are messy when they eat, they drool, they spit up, they fall down and get dirty, and if his little outfit is dry-clean only, or cost $40, then I think it's crazy to put him in it! I have NEVER spent more than $10 for an outfit for Josiah. In fact, other than gifts, his wardrobe is probably 50% hand-me-downs (from his super-cute dressed cousin John), 25% consigment shop/thrift store finds, 20% clearance rack (under $5) finds, and maybe 5% brand new, but still on sale basics like white onesies, socks, pants.
3. I do want my son to be like his daddy. And in the same way that it's adorable when he makes a face that looks just like his dad, or I see some personality traits coming out that remind me of him, if I put him in a cute little polo shirt and khakis and he looks just like Mike... how is that possibly a bad thing?
So anyway... this isn't meant to insult anyone who prefers to dress their children in a different way than I choose, but I just got to thinking about the fact that I am intentionally practical and thrifty and I think my baby boy is simply adorable, hand-me-downs and all! But then again, you'll never catch me flaunting a Coach purse or designer shoes.
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well who ruffled your feathers?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you- there's no point in spending tons of money on clothes that are going to get destroyed by a little boy. I can't speak much for baby boys since I have a girl. I do enjoy dressing her up, and I would probably enjoy dressing up a boy as well, but there's a time and place for that. Special outings and dinners, and Church deserve, in my opinion, dressier clothes... but certainly not expensive designer stuff! That's the type of clothes I enjoy putting Katie in when my mom purchases them, but I would NEVER spend that much cash on baby clothes.(I'd be broke) Babies grow way too fast for that! 7 is my lucky number... I don't like to spend more than $7 on Katie's outfits and she certainly manages to dress well in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the consignment/ thrift store clothes. And if I had hand-me-downs for Katie, I'd use them as well :)
Funny! John gets a great hoot out of making fun of sailor suits and smocking, which, believe me, around here are in abundance. I think they're cute, but neither the budget nor the daddy will allow it. Oh well.
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