Do’s & Don’ts When It Comes To Dressing Your Little Ones

Kids fashion has progressed in a drastic way over the decades, with designer dresses and little jeggings paving the fashion pathway for little ones. Even with the trends taking the world by storm, dressing your little one up isn’t as easy as you think but definitely not impossible. In the end, we want our little ones to look fashionable but feel comfortable at the same time. Little do we know, little ones actually like dressing up with a sense of fashion as it boosts their self-esteem that will serve it’s purpose down the road. Be it for a casual day or a fancy event, here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to dressing your little ones up.  

From the time they’re toddlers, our little ones follow in our footsteps like little mimes. Our little shadows, they want to put on daddy’s shoes or wear mommy’s lipstick. Today there are a lot of fashion ideas out there for little ones that are a little too grown up. Many that we would not feel comfortable wearing ourselves. It’s okay to put your foot down and offer tasteful alternatives that satisfy their desire to “be an adult” as soon as possible, while still protecting all the playful comfort of their childhood

While it’s tempting to think of them as your “little dolls” let your kids participate in what they wear. For toddlers between the ages of 2 and 4, start by letting them pick among narrowed down options. “Would you like to wear this or that shirt today?” Making decisions at this stage is very empowering and builds their confidence. It also makes them active participants in their morning routine. If you have a picky dresser, you can employ the same tactic when you’re shopping for clothes. Let them choose between a few pre-selected options, depending on their age and comprehension levels. As they get older, let them branch out even if they select a combination, you will not necessarily choose. If they combine pieces into fun and wacky outfits, ask them why they made that choice in a non-judgemental way. See if it is the way the fabrics feel or the colour combinations that they like. Sometimes their answers will surprise you. While they may be our little adorable dress up dolls, they have their own tastes and preferences. By asking them questions, you’re helping them articulate their opinions and learn more about them in the process.

You are going to a wedding, you want your child to look nice and put together, but if your son or daughter isn’t keen on playing dress up, try not to force it. They’re already partying with a bunch of grownups which is torture enough! Eliminate the fussiness and the fight. There are so many casually comfortable options for kids that they’ll look fantastic in it. While it may not be acceptable for you to dress down on someone’s big day, the kids get a pass.

You can have both, but when you have an entire closet full of ‘dry clean only’ tags for your son or daughter, we’re willing to bet your little one might feel somewhat limited. When you do choose a girl’s party dress or boy’s suit for a special occasion, check to make sure that the fabric is breathable and cut allows your child to run, play, and act like a kid.

Questions to ask yourself when dressing your little one up:

• Can your little one comfortably run, climb, bend over, sit, or play in her dress?
• If your little one is still in potty training, can they easily adjust their outfit without fear of potential embarrassments, eliminating the stress of scrambling for an adult?
• Are you able to relax during the event, completely free of fear that they’ll either rip, tear, or stain their outfit?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions then the outfit, as cute as it may be, might not be practical for an event or even a casual day out. Avoid clothes with lots of buttons, ties, and flimsy poorly stitched flourishes. Design details like buttons can easily fall off or go missing while your child plays or in daily washing, some can even deem as choking hazards. Steer clear of outfits that your child needs a lot of help putting on or taking off. Also avoid items that you yourself are struggling to dress them in. Dressing up should be fun, not stressful!