I never really got it until this past year. When I had a daughter nearly 13 years ago, I got a lot of comments from other mums about how exciting it is to shop for baby girls' clothing. I couldn't relate. I had no time for frilly dresses, I didn't especially care for the "girl" colours (with the exception of a really good, pale French pink), and frankly I found baby boy clothes much cuter. In the end she spent most of her time in cotton one-piece sleepers that just seemed more comfy than real clothes. I didn't play dress-up with dollies as a child, so maybe that's why.
This year all that changed. My girl is on the cusp of adolescence, and while she's still very tiny, she's starting to wear "teen" clothes. And she's got good taste! Shopping with her is a joy. It turns out I like shopping for OLDER kids! It's even more fun than shopping for me. For example, she desperately needed a pair of rain boots, and yesterday I stumbled on a perfect pair of glossy eggplant-coloured Hunter wellies (she's really into that colour). I was so unreasonably excited about these boots -- far more excited than when I got my own Hunter wellies seven or so years ago.
I hope this trend keeps up. Anyone else want to share stories of shopping for children (your own, or the children of others)?