https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:36:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1198026 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 10:42:42 +0000 Lucy 1198026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What precious memories of your daughter, I feel honoured to share in them.&nbsp;</p> <p>My son is aged eight. I kind of adhere to IK's idea - try not to let things into the house that I really can't abide! But I let him have some free reign too. He really likes accessories, and rocks a fedora like no other. He also likes to wear a tie occasionally "to look handsome" as he says. He is much more interested in clothes than his dad! But he pays more attention to style if we are going somewhere special, in the main he is happy to wear a tee and shorts!&nbsp;<br />The hardest thing I find is fit. He is very skinny, and clothes tend to fall off. I have only one brand of jeans that fit his tiny hips, and I just buy them on repeat every year!</p> <p>Thank you again for sharing your little angel, she is beautiful, and it is very special&nbsp;that you can talk of her with such joy as well as sadness.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197971 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 06:01:15 +0000 Lyn D. 1197971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing your beautiful memories Sarah!<br />Just to add that I am glad that in Australia the majority of schools require uniforms and school-shoes to be worn.<br />This is a great equaliser and saves time in the morning rush I am sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197770 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 01:35:20 +0000 Helena 1197770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a beautiful girl your Ellie was, and what a great gift you gave her by giving her the freedom to be her beautiful self! And continue to give to your son :)</p> <p>For my part, that is what I try to do to, and will be even more inspired after this. My daughter in particular comes up with some pretty funky stuff and I love it! It's so her. I have a few basic rules: nothing with holes in it, must meet the school dress standard and be reasonable for severe weather if that applies, must be somewhat appropriate (e.g. no pyjamas to church, no dresses to gymnastics) ... other than that, it's a free-for-all! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197735 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 01:07:00 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1197735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh you guys, your stories are so great! It is so wonderful that every child has their own unique preferences and opinions, and every post I have read shows how much wisdom they are being raised with! I love how in tune everyone is to the comfort and emotional needs of their children... 5 purple turtle necks - what an absolutely perfect solution/ rainbow hair / jeans versus less comfy pants / healthy footwear choices / traditional garb on picture day / dressing up for dinner... There are just so many wonderful examples of wife and creative parenting here that celebrate unique styles and personalities of children. I just love it!</p> <p>Rachylou: You have such a way with words: "I scoff with outrage at their conventionality." I don't know when or how, but I need to use this someday... :-)</p> <p>Seriously, though, who needs therapy when they have YLF?! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197539 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:19:03 +0000 shiny 1197539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My girls are now college students (ages 19 and 21) and&nbsp;they have always been very different, especially when it comes to fashion.&nbsp;</p> <p>When DD#2 was around 4 or 5, she insisted on wearing the same purple turtleneck every single day. At that time, I was going through a divorce and I viewed this as her need to have some control and consistency, what with adjusting to the back and forth visitation schedule between her dad and I. I figured it&nbsp;would have been a mistake to battle over her purple turtleneck every day, so I went out and bought 5 identical purple turtlenecks.&nbsp;</p> <p>Otherwise, my M.O. has always been to de-emphasize fashion and appearance and beauty and all of that, to try to counteract the messages our society gives girls and young women. Instead I focused not on how they looked but on what they could do. How strong their bodies were rather than how pretty. Etc. And when we've shopped together (which all three love to do), I've always stressed choosing clothes that fit and flatter their unique figures, to counteract the inevitable pain of wishing you had a different body shape (I had enough of that growing up, which still haunts me to this day).&nbsp;</p> <p>DD#1 went through a phase in which she refused to wear dresses and skirts, we look back on that now and laugh, since that's all she will wear now. She's very bold and experiments a lot with her fashion choices. It's not about fitting in for her -- it's about standing out and being different. She is playful with it and has a lot of fun. One day she might be goth, the next hipster, the next preppy, on and on.&nbsp;She has dyed her hair every color of the rainbow, and in fact, at this moment, she is sporting the full rainbow (see pic). She got into making her own clothes in middle school and continues to this day. </p> <p>Whereas DD#1 has always been more pragmatic/sporty with her clothes, preferring comfort and ease&nbsp;above all else (hoody, tank top, jeans, Con's -- and she's done), but she is now starting to embrace skirts, dresses, trendy items,&nbsp;and &nbsp;in particular&nbsp;"date" and "party"&nbsp;clothes... so that is getting interesting.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197496 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:39:41 +0000 Inge 1197496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My heart is breaking for you,&nbsp;Sarah, but&nbsp;thank you so much for sharing these photos and memories of your beautiful, Ellie. It's clear from what you wrote that she knew *exactly* what she wanted and had style in spades (just like her gorgeous Mama).&nbsp;<br />The entire family was born with the "style gene" it seems, love how your son is expressing his individuality, and I had to laugh about the "sweatshirt story" :-)</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197486 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:30:02 +0000 Sarah A 1197486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had to smile at your lovely Ellie, her skirt outfit reminds me very much of the shilouette my oldest daughter, 5 yrs old, enjoys most... each of the three pieces (leggings, skirt and top) in three different patterns is her most preferred iteration. If we arent going to a family wedding or special event like that and are mostly seasonally appropriate (legs covered if it is 20 degrees out please!) pretty much anything goes in my book. I am hung up on the need for flat shoes that are flexible enough for proper foot function and development. Thats about the one place were I have no intention of compromise for everyday footwear (and lots of time that i've spent in physical therapy for my feet helps hold me to my guns on that one). I can see a heel for a high school dance or something but 4th grade... Oh my! And I'm using Adlelfa line too! </p> <p>It is interesting to hear about boys and their style takes too. Your son and his accessories are fun, I hope boys clothes will have more variety and acceptable variation as time continues. Most boys I know IRL (preschool age) arent at the point where they have a great opinion on the matter (according to their mothers), but my girls have since 18 months. Fun to think about and a great post, Sarah </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197430 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 19:17:35 +0000 Neel 1197430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah ... Your DD was such a beautiful little girl. Thanks for sharing her pics with us. As about your son, he seems to be a little sports star ... The cool kinds! I love his cool bracelets! Hard to see boys who love accessories!</p> <p>My two boys (3 and 6) are already stylish little chaps. They love shirts over t-shirts and the shirt has to be open. My elder one even likes to wear his hair long! He prefers clean and ironed clothes. And he has a penchant for shoes! Younger one just imitates his brother for now. They too refuse to wear pants without pockets (must be a boy thing!) and for some reason they refuse pink in any form! I did not put that in their head I promise! Since, they are still young I play a major role in their dressing up. But it will be fun watching them grow </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197381 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:32:43 +0000 rachylou 1197381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I like the way your daughter put together outfits. A hipster! :D</p> <p>Re. my own - I ridicule hoochie, on dd and off, and encourage creative dressing with my delight, for better or worse, because I enjoy it. The creative dressing doesn't go down with all family members... and I scoff with outrage at their conventionality.</p> <p>...Except when it comes to job interviews. Once, not too long ago, this interviewer told dd they were a "casual office" and so she dressed casual - nice, mind you, but way too creative. DD was very upset when I made her change and put on "uncomfortable" pants and shoes. But sometimes, you just have to lay down the law.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197217 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:39:52 +0000 catgirl 1197217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, your daughter -&nbsp; I can see the sass and strength in her beautiful face.&nbsp; She was clearly a force to be reckoned with... Thank you for sharing her here.&nbsp; My heart breaks for your loss.</p> <p>My son is 10 and he is pretty much jeans, sport-related tee, and hoodies.&nbsp; He gets mildly obsessed with having the sneaker du jour, but otherwise doesn't really care about brands or colors or anything.&nbsp; He does love to dress up and will put on a suit jacket for dinner if I set out fancy plates and candles.&nbsp; He also will wear an Indian outfit to school for picture day which I appreciate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197201 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:22:19 +0000 viva 1197201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, It's hard to read this thread and not want to jump in. You are so generous to share your sweet daughter with us, and I love your honesty in reflecting on so many aspects of parenting her. She was a lucky girl. And your son seems to be very typical, putting you through the paces as he experiments and tries out different things.</p> <p>I will just add my favorite story of parenting through wardrobe choices. Our second daughter was very, very headstrong early on, and when she was about 12 the battles were always about proper footwear (they all wanted to wear flip-flops until there was snow on the ground) and very short shorts. Sometimes the school would push back, and sometimes not, and there was often a battle royale at home in the morning when she came down dressed for school. One morning she was late for the bus and would not change her short shorts and just ran out of the house. So my husband called the Vice Principal of her school, and said, "My daughter will be arriving soon in a pair of shorts that I am sure are not appropriate for the dress code. I'd appreciate it if you would not let her know that I called, but I am sure you'd like to talk to her when she comes in." When she arrived home that day, she was in her soccer uniform and in quite a mood! And she never talked to us about what happened when she got to school that day. (Until she was older and we let her in on what had happened.) <br />:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1197135 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 13:56:52 +0000 Anonymous 1197135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such an interesting thread! Sarah, your daughter is beautiful, and how wonderful that she had such a well-developed sense of style.&nbsp;</p> <p>Adelfa, if I ever have a daughter, I am using your rule. :)&nbsp;</p> <p>This is mostly an issue I've thought about in abstract. DS is only 4 and hasn't exhibited too many strong style preferences, yet. I mostly get to impose my will at this point. :)&nbsp;I do honor his color preferences, though. I'm also good with most character tees because he's a small kid, and why not? (I draw the line on characters that aren't age appropriate.) I also pay close attention to what he finds comfortable vs. what he gets cranky about wearing. Jeans are fine, but chinos annoy him. My BFFs son -- same age -- is the opposite. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style/page/2#post-1196116 Sun, 16 Mar 2014 02:27:52 +0000 Jaime 1196116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing your memories of your beautiful daughter. I am touched.</p> <p>My kids definitely all have their own quirks. Having twin daughters really shows me how very inborn personality is - they have been going their own way pretty much from the beginning. One can't stand pink and the other is all about dressing girly with sparkles and frills. I impose my will in the hygiene department and pretty much let them do their own thing with clothes (within reason).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1196108 Sun, 16 Mar 2014 02:14:17 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1196108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah - what a beautiful post. Your children are full of individuality and that should always be celebrated in my opinion. You must miss your daughter Ellie so, so much.</p> <p>My son is 18 now and has always chosen his own clothes. Oh my...over the years there were some interesting combinations! One day in grade 1, I remember him wearing red shorts, knee high rubber boots (it was not wet out) and a yellow and blue mutant ninja turtles tee. He was so happy with his outfit I just couldn't say no.</p> <p>He now dresses fairly snappy for someone his age and not very similar to his friends. He's a bit dressier and prefers dark wash slim jeans and button down shirts and mentions that he likes not looking like everyone else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1196092 Sun, 16 Mar 2014 02:02:00 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1196092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are so kind, Angie. Thank you... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1196068 Sun, 16 Mar 2014 01:19:38 +0000 Angie 1196068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How beautiful. You are a fab Mama.&nbsp;</p> <p>Your children beam with character. I loved seeing photos of your precious little Ellie. What a stunning and stylish&nbsp;child. Her soul is with you forever, Sarah. Much love. xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195995 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 23:40:23 +0000 rabbit 1195995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have any kids, but what an interesting thread to read, and <b>Sarah </b>thanks for sharing the lovely pictures of your children and your stories about them and their clothes. &nbsp;</p> <p>I'm looking forward to watching my nephew grow and seeing how he navigates his own style. &nbsp;Many posters mentioned girls choosing how feminine they wanted to go with their clothes, and I'd like to see if&nbsp;upcoming generations of boys also may have a lot more flexibility with the options open to them than previous&nbsp;generations. &nbsp;</p> <p>My own experience (even though it was ages ago, lol) is closest to <b>qfbrenda</b>'s. &nbsp;I have fond memories of thrift shopping with my mother, and my sister and I going through the hand-me down box from our cousins and the excitement of 'new to us' clothes. &nbsp;I don't remember her picking out clothes for me and my little sister, I feel like we were always there together deciding and giving each other feedback.&nbsp;There were some awkward and painful moments in middle school (but doesn't everyone have them?) with how difficult it sometimes&nbsp;was for me to conform to what was 'in' for girls in&nbsp;terms of clothes with limited retail options. &nbsp; But I managed and&nbsp;by high school I made it work for me.</p> <p>Now my grocery shopping aisles are full of kids in tulle skirts and harry potter capes, &nbsp;blinking shoes, and Halloween costumes worn year round. &nbsp;My general thought, is go for it! &nbsp;Enjoy being a kid all you can </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195968 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:55:41 +0000 rute 1195968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a wonderful post. Mine always had clear ideas on what to wear and i always let them wear what they want. They have lovely taste, the boys are influenced by their father, they have a classic, preppy style. The girl was always a tomboy, never liked skirts or dresses nor pink. When young she wore jeans and t-shirts. Now she has a kind of nerdy style, big black eyeglasses, white button down with all the buttons closed, men's inspired trousers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195963 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:45:19 +0000 ironkurtin 1195963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adelfa, I am stealing your line.&nbsp; That is brilliant. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195958 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:41:52 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1195958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all so much for responding to this thread! I have so loved reading about your children and their style journeys. I think it is so wonderful when children and teenagers have a strong style persona and until I read all of your comments, I didn't quite realize what was so pleasing about it. I think that it is because this is style in its purest form. Some children truly don't care what anyone else around them wears - they stay true to the beat of their own drum, and simply have style. Much of the grown up world seems more content to take their style cues from external sources. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195945 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:29:31 +0000 JAileen 1195945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so sorry your daughter is gone. Thank you for sharing your memories of her.</p> <p>My son is grown now, but I remember when he was 3 he objected to some long pants I had bought for him. It wasn't the color or fabric, it was the lack if pockets! When he was in high school he really started developing his style. For one thing, he grew his hair and had dreadlocks. This was very hard for me to live with. He bought his clothes at garage sales and thrift stores. He looked ratty most of the time, but I couldn't complain because he was an honor student. There were times where he had to dress up, such as at his grandparents' and certain other events. But even at these times he put his own spin on his appearance. I'm glad he's an individualist and never went with the flow. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195938 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:22:14 +0000 deb 1195938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, beautiful Ellie. And the little guy sounds like fun. My daughter started choosing her clothes at about 18 months. She always wanted to wear all one color. When she wore all white, she looked like the ice cream man. About five she started wearing jeans and tee only. To this day it is jeans and tee and she is 32 now. My son on the other hand, loved to dress up. Bow ties were his favorite. He stopped wearing the bow ties in second or third grade. He never cared if the other kids made fun of him because the sixth grade girls loved him. He is still a snappy dresser.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195930 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:11:06 +0000 qfbrenda 1195930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've let my guys pick their own clothes for the most part. They usually need to choose from the hand-me-downs we get or from Goodwill, but they are fine with that most of the time. As long as they are modest and not looking too ripped or ratty, I'm ok with it.</p> <p>I have more say about church or dressy moments. I've explained to them that dressing for those situations is not only about their preferences, but about not sticking out like a sore thumb. But I'm not super strict. As long as they are clean, not ripped, and reasonably appropriate, I let it go.</p> <p>I guess I have to add that I'm pretty picky about graphic t-shirts. They are not allowed to wear anything offensive or something we disagree with as a family. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195921 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:03:20 +0000 Aziraphale 1195921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. I was not expecting this at all when I clicked on your post. I have no words for your loss. The pictures of her are lovely.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195920 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 22:03:15 +0000 Suz 1195920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, thank you for sharing these beautiful memories of your lovely daughter. She reminds me a bit of my step-daughter at that age. She had a real style already, even so young, and a strong sense of what she liked.&nbsp;</p> <p>And your son looks full of spunk and zest!&nbsp;</p> <p>I think it's really good to let kids make some of their own choices. My daughter's developing style is very tomboy, not at all like her peers. She has always hated pink and anything that she perceives as "girly." Now she mostly wears BF jeans, a hoodie, and a graphic tee -- but the cut and style are so different from other girls'. She also wears different footwear than her peers. And when she dresses up, she likes to wear a "suit" -- an old thrifted Hobbs jacket of mine, plus black trousers. With a white shirt and tie!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195905 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:47:24 +0000 Carla 1195905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When my boys were little, I sewed for them. I hated the sad, dark, clothes that were marketed at the time, and dead set against camo. Also, eldest was hard to fit with his tall, but very thin build.</p> <p>Around Jr. High they showed signs of wanting to express their own style. Mostly it was about growing their hair long. I had no trouble with this, but insisted they keep it clean. I also switched them over to a stylist, instead of the barber they had been going to. Personally, I had a lot of fun taking them out individually for back to school shopping, etc. I let them take the lead, and then I would make suggestions. They are both interested in how they present, and to some extent men's fashion. The only rule I had was no t-shirts with disrespectful sayings, and they didn't find that rule onerous.</p> <p>As young adult men in their early 20's, they already have style personas! </p> <p>Eldest leans towards euro-chic, and youngest is sporty with a touch of hipster. They both REALLY like footwear!</p> <p>I think it is a good idea to let kids have some say at developing their own style. Hair grows (or can be cut) and clothes are temporary. Set a few basic ground rules around decency, and you (and they) should be okay. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195892 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:33:34 +0000 Adelfa 1195892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for letting us get to know Ellie a little!</p> <p>Before I had kids I saw a friend argue with a two-year-old about which sandals to wear (based on my friend's ideas of clashing colors) and I swore I wouldn't do that. So I think I let my kids pick. The only time I can remember weighing in was for church outfits. </p> <p>Then when they were in high school I told them that if they just dressed less hoochie than 50% of their classmates, I would be happy. I figured that if you're in the bottom 50%, you're not actually trashy for your culture, whatever some out-of-touch mom thinks about current fashions.&nbsp;They thought that was a reasonable rule and to this day tell their friends about the 50% rule! </p> <p>In fact they were (and are to this day, now that they are in their late 20s) very classy dressers. But I think it made them feel good to know they had wiggle room, and also to know that they were using their judgment rather than following rules. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195886 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:31:46 +0000 lyn67 1195886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your little guy seems very confident! Love his shorts and cute bracelets. And Ellie...She is such an adorable&nbsp;little girl in these picties! Esp loved&nbsp;to see her arty dancer pose in the last one...&nbsp;My heart goes out to you for losing her so young, but thanx for sharing these bautiful moments from her life with us.</p> <p>My DD is 16,5.&nbsp; She wasn't really interested in what she wore until few years ago,&nbsp;so I took advantage and played dressing her as well as I could, meaning always appropiate &nbsp;for the occasion&nbsp;but&nbsp;still,&nbsp; including some elements of&nbsp;a bit RATE&nbsp;when and where&nbsp;possible. To be honest,&nbsp;&nbsp;this came probably from me missing&nbsp;the&nbsp;stage of&nbsp;my own rebellion&nbsp;at a younger age(it was really&nbsp;no fun to wear a uniform in all my ground and high schools). </p> <p>Then, when she started showing interest in what she dresses in, I stopped toying around her wardrobe:-), but always there for&nbsp;advicing her&nbsp; when&nbsp;I am asked for&nbsp;or for being&nbsp;very firm&nbsp;when&nbsp;unasked for:-). </p> <p>All these being said, I love her style and am pleased to see&nbsp;she kept&nbsp;doing on her very own &nbsp;the slightly&nbsp;rocker vibe and&nbsp;the RATE elements&nbsp;I always longed for in my youth...:-).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195873 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:19:37 +0000 doubleh 1195873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing your pics with us Sarah! &nbsp;And I love to hear about how all the boys are evolving as well. &nbsp;My DS is four and doesn't give much of a hoot what he wears. &nbsp;I wish he would get a little crazy and show some preferences. &nbsp;When he does pick out something to wear it is just "off" enough that it doesn't look kooky enough for a four year old, but not quite good enough that a mom should know better. &nbsp;Like say, black socks and sandals or a ratty message tee with dressier pants (man I wish I could think of specific examples.) &nbsp;THAT's when I get a little paranoid that it reflects on me! :)&nbsp; I'm all&nbsp;for him having his own style as long as it is obvious it's his. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/allowing-children-to-develop-their-style#post-1195868 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:16:22 +0000 Deborah 1195868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing your photos and stories of your beautiful girl:). </p> <p>I have a boy and at 11 he is developing his own style too.he likes leather wrist bracelets, has a skull ring (doesn't really wear it tho) and has a leather necklace too. Clothes wise he recently has slept in his favourite pair of shorts only to get up and pop on a tee and he's ready for the day! Comfort is as important as how something looks for him. He loves sweat pants and shorts in the same fabrication and it can be a challenge to get him into a nice pair of jeans if we are going out somewhere. I often shop for him, without him. But I seem to have a good feel for what he likes and if he doesn't like something, I will return it. When we shop together, he does the whole try on thing...it's really cute. I am glad he knows what he likes and will say so. He is like that in general and I think (hope) that is the sign of a child that will be strong enough to make good life choices and go against the tide when necessary. </p>