6.30.2008

Dressing Your Age


I'd don any of these brilliant "kids" ensembles by phillip lim... happily.

I like it when kids dress like kids.

There's plenty of time later in life to dress with terms like "appropriate", "presentable" and "pulled-together" in mind. In another words, you have your entire life to look like a grown-up... One of the beauties of being a kid is that you can get away with, say striped tights, a floral skirt and your pajama top (or heck just your pajama top with some jeans for that matter) -- things that generally don't work as an adult, unless you are of course some kickin style maven (more than likely French as well.)

I'm also a big believer in allowing your kids as much self-expression as possible in the relatively harmless areas (such as clothes) and instead sweating the big stuff (like drugs and what not.) I do have some pretty hard and fast rules drawn up for later use around dressing slutty, tattoos and piercings, but pretty much anything else goes in the personal style department... Crazy outfits? Yes. Pink hair? Go for it.

So here's where things are getting a little complicated for me. While I don't want Audrey and Millie leave the house dressed like mini-adults, lately I'm facing the uncomfortable situation that I might be dressing like a kid. The past three summer dresses I've purchased look exactly like all my favorite "kid" dresses out there. So what's my stance on a grown-up dressing like a kid??? hmm... I'll get back to you in the fall.


p.s. -- she could have been the model for this post. those outfits...brilliant.

p.p.s -- after peeking in on my comments, I had to include a brilliant quote from Uncle Beefy... he recounts something a mother who let her daughter go wild in terms of sartorial self-expression once told him:


"If she gets to REALLY know who she is now, no one will be able to tell her who
she has to be later."

I just love that...

15 comments:

karey m. said...

perfection! love love love the lim.

mary s. said...

Totally adorable!

Uncle Beefy said...

See I'd go broke if I had a kid with all the CUTE stuff out there! Oy!

Joslyn, I totally agree with you! Years ago I was a barista and there was this little girl who would stop by my stand with her nanny. She was like 6 or 7? She had the wildest curly hair, freckles and blue eyes. But her outfits were standout! She'd always wear two different shoes, crazy socks or tights, and so many colors that Helen Keller coulda seen her coming! (Sidenote: my favorite thing about her was that she pulled along this little plastic hot dog on a string!!! I loved her quirkiness!) You knew her parents were artists or post-hippies or something?

Then one day this woman came by for a coffee. Upswept hair, briefcase, business suit. It was the little girl's mom!?! I HAD to mention that I NEVER would have thought! She said she always got that reaction and understandably. But the best part was this...she said that while her daughter was young was the best time to let her get to know herself. "If she gets to REALLY know who she is now, no one will be able to tell her who she has to be later." I've never forgotten that moment.

Sorry such a long comment but wanted to share that with you. Thanks for the happy start to my Monday :)

Unknown said...

well, as far as the photos, I would wear those "kid" outfits - they are so mature. ...and maybe that's your point :)

I always feel like my mom dresses like a kid and I don't know why, but it bugs me. I wanna say, dress appropriately mom! but she's comfy and I guess that's all that matters.

Joslyn said...

uncle beefy -- love that quote...love it so much that i added it to the post. you managed to say exactly what i was trying to say in my long-winded post...but oh so much better.

maegan -- yes, my worst fear is that my kids would look at something i'm wearing and think i was trying to dress too young...there's a fine line for sure.

Unknown said...

I LOVE Uncle Beefy's comment!

And, I adore these outfits. For my girls and agreed, for me.

I was kind of thinking along these lines, too, when I posted on my blog today (but without the profound conclusion) :)

Joslyn said...

lynne -- just saw your post and left a comment...as you were leaving this comment...hmm. serendipity.

Mrs.French said...

I honestly think kids dress better than adults...I strive to dress like a young one...eclectic, magical and happy. Oh and Uncle Beefy's comment touched my heart...

FancyPants-design said...

HA HA!! I actually get a little jealous when kids are more pulled together than me..does that make me a bad person!? jk..I agree kids need to dress like kids..and they are just going to grow out of this stuff in a day!! very very cute though!

karey m. said...

{sigh.} that uncle b. he's lovely, right?

i'd forgotten all about my mom collaborating with me on outfits, make-up, hair...nothing was too outrageous...as long as i stayed nice.

{i'm fully excited about dipping the ends of the girlies' bobs in hot pink, you know? just a half an inch. just for the summer...eek!}

Julia said...

She looks so happy wearing her beautiful outfits :) I'm all for self-expression, as a child AND as an adult! Of course, as an adult there are certain outside forces working against such expressions as pink hair and pj's, so sad :(

Joanna Goddard said...

i'm sure you look adorable in your "kid" ourfits :) these phillip lim ensembles are amazing.

Heather Taylor said...

cutest things ever! i think i'm ready for a child now!

Pretty Little Things for Home & Life said...

Forget kids clothes.... I'd wear everything on that page. Thankfully I'm small and typically wear kids pants... Maybe I can actually afford Phillip Lim for once!!

Kim in the Cove said...

Was thinking back to this post today and had to come find it. Love the quote Uncle Beefy passed along. Smart smart smart.