These are Immy’s favourite socks – blue with lions. Of course, its probably because of the song we sing every time we put the lion socks on, “I’m a great big lion, creeping through the jungle….” Somehow singing about plain white or pink socks is not quite the same. Oh, and yes, those are grey trackpants my daughter is wearing with her blue and grey socks!
Immy wears blue and she also wears pink, and green and red and orange and yellow, clearly grey, and even black at times. I don’t have a problem with her dressing in ‘boy’ colours and often like the change from the pink, girly frou frou.
Not that Immy wears alot of frou frou. She seems to spend more time in comfy trackpants, jeans or loose pants than skirts or dresses. My fault really as it always seems to be more practical. Immy is an active toddler, who loves to run and jump and climb and slide and dance, all of which seem alot easier to do in pants (or shorts, once the weather is warmer). When we are at home, we spend chunks of time playing in the garden and when we are at playgroup or toddlergym or visiting the park, Immy spends alot of time engaged in physical activity, so whether at home or out and about pants just seem a practical option for a toddler mastering so many new physical skills.
I think this post came to mind at our last visit to toddlergym where I observed a little girl (probably about 3 years old) struggling to get onto the rope swing because of the full skirt she had on. It was a beautiful skirt, dusky pink, velvety and adorned with sequins, and knowing 3 year olds I am sure the little girl insisted on wearing it as she got dressed that morning. And I am all for choosing your battles!
I know that there are lots of pretty little girl outfits and thanks to the generosity of family and friends, Immy owns quite a few, and I should probably make more effort to put her in them for more than just ‘special’ occasions (though it does currently require more effort as her hanging clothes do not hang in her own room – no wardrobe!)
I am not saying that Immy never wears dresses or skirts and I am sure that the time is not far away when she is more insistent about what she wears (though, don’t you worry, she is already developing little opinions of her own on this very subject), I just hope that she is happy wearing her comfy ‘practical’ play clothes for a little longer. That way I can worry just a tiny bit less about her tripping or falling or getting tangled. And it certainly makes the washing/drying/ironing cycle much easier too!
What about you? Do you go for practicality or fashion-ability? Or have you found a magic formula that combines both? Love to hear your ideas and solutions in the comments below.
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
Is that the socks that I gave her? 🙂
Miss you, all three of you. Give Immy a big kiss, and M a big hug.
First, I LOVE your blog. I spent a few hours poring over the archives the other day.
Second, as to clothing, I definitely agree with you. It seems that our daughters are close in age, and I definitely agree that convenience is a big factor. E is constantly running, climbing, trying to figure out the pedals on her trike, etc. While we do love little girls in pretty, simple sundresses for summer, her wardrobe is mainly jeans, t-shirts and hoodies. We don't think it's a huge deal when she gets mistaken for a boy (her hair is so wispy, although it's finally growing out a bit) and she likes to dress the way she sees us dressing. (I have no interest in fashion and am definitely a jeans and t-shirt girl myself.) I also am reluctant to limit her to things that fit the "girl" mold. I have no problems with "girly" things, I just want to expose her to enough things that she is comfortable exploring her own interests and tastes.
My daughter is almost 3 and owns exactly one dress and one skirt. I am a jeans girl, and so is she. "Practical" rules over "fashionable" here, especially since we don't go to fancy events or to church.
This could have been about Amy! She has always been happiest in shorts and t-shirts, practical clothes that don't hamper her jumping, hopping, skipping, climbing and playing. HOWEVER since she has toilet trained this has ALL changed, for a little girl who has shown no interest in dressing herself or choosing her own clothes, now she refuses to let me help her pick out and put on her clothes. First thing in the morning the night nappy is off and she is on the loo and then the dressing process starts. Now I have one of those children than ends up going to the shops in a pj top, leggings, fairy dress and wellington boots and there is not much I can do about it!
Well I go for a little of both but at 5, my daughters age, if its not purple or pink it gets left at the bottom until theres no purple or pink available if you know what I mean. When it comes to colour I buy what appeals to me and or her … in my case it could be anything in hers …see above. As for functionality I have learned /am learning that she really only 'needs' one 'good' dress for a season, though there are so very many beautiful options.
This is actually how my blog name originated when I got so tired of and frustrated with everyone referring to her as a boy if she wore the colour that I thought suited her best as a baby.
hello , i give my vote to you 🙂 All the best
I love it when kids make their own creative choices with clothing and colour. Being given the freedom of this most basic self-expression can only help build kid's confidence and self-knoweldge.
Practicality + fashion-ability for me! So I think I HAVE found the magic formula – and I design them! A colourful and funky range of practical, comfy yoga pants, skirts and tees. Your post is exactly what they are all about.
Oh, and what a lovely thing to be 'sung' into your socks!
Hi there! I'm just having a bit of a poke around your back catalogue…
I'm often asked how I dress my girls, and I have to go with a mix of practical and pretty. They are both big on anything OTT and dramatic, so we have to compromise. I've found the solution to be a mix and match of short,tiered skirts and leggings. That way the skirts are short enough to still climb in and can be as sparkly and fancy as you like. The leggings keep them warm and stop them from flashing their underwear to the world.
The fancy version of that is little home made dresses, made to 1950's vintage patterns. These tend to be far far shorter than what we are used to, but also come with little bloomers you wear underneath, like the old "Witches Britches" style. I have one great pattern I use all the time and the girls can then be a part of the process in helping to choose the fabric.