Being a parent has changed as the times has passed. Once upon a time the attire of bottoms, soup stained T-shirts and a smile was all a child needed to pass off as properly dressed. It was the parents who had to look good, the kids were given a free pass and called cute regardless of what they wore.
Now? Not so much.
Now the children are under a much scrutiny (if not more) as their parents. They’re expected to be fashion forward, apparelled in the best, carrying themselves like little champs, all the while looking cute as a button. Even kids these days don’t want to be left behind, they want to look better than the rest and are very much an active participant during their dress choices!
If you’re a parent who is looking for some help, are some easy tips to keep your children stylish and fashionable in this ever changing world –
1. Keep basic pieces in wardrobe for all emergencies
Something’s you can never go wrong with. Block coloured T-shirts, white shirts, basic denims, black leggings – these are some must haves for every wardrobe, be it a kid or a grown up. These items can come very handy – when you can find no outfit, these can become an outfit by themselves. Otherwise, these little articles of clothing can become building blocks for more complicated, fashion forward outfits.
Also, the less the better – you know you can never go wrong with a simple tee and jeans!
2. Comfort is as important as style
No matter how well you dress you child, if he or she is uncomfortable, the outfit is likely to be crumpled and discarded before the night even begins. Hence always make sure whatever you adorn your kid in is something they feel comfortable wearing. Itchy material, cramped fits, too many layers – they can all be a hindrance to your child shining bright in the clothes they’re wearing.
3. Keep up with the trends
Keeping up with the trend today is so much easier than it was once. Now all you need to do is tap a few buttons on your phone and you’re up to date on all the new fads. The rise of social media has allowed little kids to become influencers in their own right, regularly updating their accounts with the latest in clothing trend. They also regularly post content for different occasions like weddings and themed birthday parties, so parents don’t have to scratch their head every time somebody throws a superhero themed party – they can have ideas on the ready! Pinterest is another website that is full of boards for parents to draw inspiration from. If ideas are what you want, the internet will give them to you in abundance!
4. Listen to your child’s output
Clothes make a man or a woman, and sometimes even a child. Children, no matter how young, have shown preferences to the kind of clothing they want to wear. Some kids gravitate towards fashionable and colourful garments, while some are happiest wearing simple shorts and T-shirts. Whatever you child wears can often be a reflection on their personality. If your daughter prefers her jeans more than he dresses, let her wear them! If you son wants to wear bright red sneakers, let him! It doesn’t matter if they might not be the most fashionable or right choice, what matters is that it’s their choice! The happier they’re with what they’re wearing, the better they’ll pull it off, and also show it off!
5. Sometimes less is better
Minimalism is all the rage – be it in lifestyle or in clothing. Overdressing is a big no no for younger kids. Basic slogan tees, simple frocks, denims – these can be the stepping stones to a great outfit, but they can be a great Outfit all by themselves. You can never go wrong with a simple, clean look. Whenever you’re in a hurry, just throw your child in a minimalistic outfit and you’re good to go. No muss, no fuss.
6. Seasons can be a good colour indicator
Yellow is for summer, black is for winters, tan is for fall – these are not just the colours of the season, they’re the colours which look best during those seasons. Keep a nice healthy mix of colours in your children’s wardrobe, and dress them in seasonal colours for a picturesque moment during all weathers! Nothing looks cuter than a child running around wearing sunny yellow or baby blue in the sun! Another thing to keep in mind is dressing according to the weather – don’t force your child in a cute one piece just because it’s New Year’s Eve, it’s also peak winter! Let them be comfortable and free, and sometimes completely packed to ward off the chills.
7. Let kids be kids
Kids can get ideas easily – they’re bombarded from all the sides with visuals and content. It is your duty as a parent to teach them the right from wrong, the appropriate from the inappropriate. If your child wants to reach into your makeup kit for a little bit of lipstick, it’s time to say no! Explain to them while they can use creams and lip balms, lipsticks are not something they can use at that age! Upon your discretion, use your parental powers and nudge their unwanted wants out of the way. After all, who wants kids to grow up too soon?
Kids learn confidence from an early age. How they dress can play a major role in that aspect – it can give them the confidence from a very early age to be themselves, be sure in their choices and be crowd ready at any moment!
The right outfit can leave long lasting impressions of positive body image on your children, helping them become better adjusted adults.
Start dressing your kids today for the starlets they will be tomorrow! With these tips, your child will be the brightest star at any show!
