Dressing our kids like adults now???

[delmar411]

We have luck at Gymboree. YDD is 7 but super tall so I need skinny cut clothes in size 9 for her. They have some basics that work perfectly.
Same with Gap. I hated to pay their prices for khakis but they have held up an entire school year and still look brand new, even with the waist all bunched up! LOL

I have good luck finding sneakers for YDD at Old Navy. I just snagged her a pair of pink sparkly plain sneakers (think Keds style) for $10. I've found good plain sneakers there off and on.

 

[princessmom29]

I didn't think about this before but we get a lot of DD's shoes at Journey's Kids. They carry those sketchers shoes with the sparkles, and DD loves Converse Chucks. We have a black pair with rainbow laces, and sparkly silver pair. Some of thier things are a little "old" looking, but there are a lot of cute things as well.

 

[spacemountainmom]

This isn't a new development. My oldest DD is 26 and when she was 5 yrs old Madonna was all the rage and I was furious that I couldn't find anything that I felt was appropriate for a 5 yr old! Black lace mini skirts and shirts that had spaghetti straps were everywhere!

I know it's exhausting but keep looking you'll find what you need without compromising your principles.

I hear you! The Britney Spears bare midriff look was the rage when my dd15 was little. I had a very hard time shopping for her because she was really tall and outgrew the "little girl" 4-6x stuff at a young age. I am sorry, I wanted my little girl to look like a little girl - not a teenage lolita.

We have a Lands' End inlet nearby and I was able to get decent stuff there. I also did shop the boys department for some stuff.

I can't believe that people actually buy this junk for their kids. Unfortunately, it's not much better for the older girls. It is so hard to find appropriate attire for dress up. We have a very hard time finding clothes for her to wear for Band concerts and such. Shoes are the worst. DD needed a new pair of black heels for her Band trip and there wasn't much choice out there. I wasn't real happy with what we ended up buying.

 

[thebeesknees]

I hear you, too! I stick with a lot of Lands' End for clothing for DD7, or I make her dresses myself, since she likes them with lots of twirl factor and ruffles. I've had decent luck at Target for her pants - not too skinny, and with the adjustable waist. Children's Place has had some things I like, but I noticed in the last year they are having more inappropriate (in my opinion) clothing for kids her age. She has to wear dress shoes for school, and it has gotten really hard to find dress shoes for her that don't have a heel, so I tend to go with Mary Janes from Lands End, etc., so I know she is comfortable and can run around and still look somewhat dressed up. I also buy her swim suits from LE because they are modest and hold up all summer without looking too ratty. I don't understand most designers' intent in wanting little girls to look like they are hanging out on a street corner soliciting! Let them be girly, but comfortable, and enjoy being little girls!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

groan... I totally forgot she'll need a suit with a built-in bra now! Thanks for the heads-up!

I only get my girls' suits at Justice now. Most are padded and they have one-pc and tankinis.

 

[princessmom29]

Thanks to everyone her who suggested Land's End. I just ordered a really cute suit for DD. She needs a bigger size bottom than top ideally, and I didn't realize they had swim seperates for little girls. I ordered a really cute top and skirted bottom. FYI, they have 25% off your entire order this weekend.

 

[LilyWDW]

The reason isn't to make them look bigger. When dd14 was that age, I had the same problem with it, and told dd I'd try to find her an unpadded one - she was horrified! "What if I get cold?!" Same with bikini tops - it's the opposite of the 1970's with today's young ladies - cover up with padding.

I remember that age. I went from a nothing to... well... more then enough. I was also VERY embarrassed about it. I liked the padding because it hid things (to put it nicely).

 

[southern_redhead]

I've seen what the OP is talking about and it isn't the little stacked heel we used to beg for on our Easter shoes (the 1/2 inch one that mom said looked cheap LOL) DD is 8, 3rd grade, and 2 girls in her grade wore HEELS to school this week...one with skinny jeans, one with leggings These were 2 inch spikey heels, open toes....the whole 9 yards!

I will say that I haven't had "horrid" problems buying DD clothing but it is expensive sometimes. We buy the basic tees from Justice, we have also gotten a sweater set and a tunic top to wear OVER a tee shirt. I ordered some tees and a pair of shorts from Old Navy, a cute gold tulle skirt, some leggings to wear UNDER a denim skirt....... I also buy her some of the American Girl tees/long sleeve shirts if I find them on sale. They are very age appropriate in look. I'll agree with another poster that it is the fit AND the print that make the look - my neice is 11 and she looks like she's 17 when her mom let's her wear "racy" saying tight tees and VS capri sweats with "PINK" on the butt. Part of it is her build, she's going to be curvy, but part of it is mom letting her saran wrap herself in things made for older girls.

We are flip flop girls in the summer so I don't have big issues there. We also buy the converse style or keds lightweight sneakers and DD usually has a pair of Nike or New Balance. I have had good luck finding Mary Janes at Target so far (but she is a size 3 girls so that may change soon..)

My DD is quite happy to be a little girl right now....she loves her dolls and toys. She doesn't argue with me (often) on wearing clothing for girls rather than teens. Although she did ask to wear make up to school because one of her friend's is wearing (blue) eyeshadow She took the "No way" pretty well, she was expecting it LOL

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Let me join the vent!!!

DD8 has always been tall for her age -- heck she was two weeks early and nearly 9 pounds!!! Once she outgrew size 4, the clothes started being "mini-adult" versions in smaller sizes. I hate that and refuse to purchase them.

I also hate that little girl clothes have so much writing (sweet stuff is fine) on them -- especially hate the sweats with "cutie" etc on the bottom. UGH!!!! I don't what to look at that on a full grown woman! Not to mention that the style is for skin tight shirts and low-rise and mid-rise jeans. Seriously?! These are little girls who need to be able to run and play and not worry about booty crack showing. Again, I don't even want to see that on full grown women.

My answer has been to buy shirts in larger sizes so that they aren't skin tight. I also love tunic tops with leggings. I am picky where I shop. Strasburg/Hanna Anderson/Gymboree/CWD Kids/Orient Expressed/Kelly's Kids are all great options. The only problem is that they can get really expensive. I also make most of her dresses. I love the A-line dresses/peasant style/round necks/pillowcase dresses. They are appropriate for little girls and I am very thankful my DD8 is happy with what we offer in clothing choices. I think it really helps that they must wear uniforms at school.

As for shoes, she loves her ballet flats to wear to with dresses. PERFECT! Flip Flops and sandals are great for summer and we love sketchers and keds for tennis shoes -- just enough fun colors/designs for little girls.

Stepping down off my soap box now.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Just one more thing...it is so much easier to dress my DS6. Polo tops/tees/button down and jeans/khakis/shorts! Add some tennis shoes, church shoes, sandal/flip flops, a belt and a few ties for church and voila, he is done!!!! None of it is tight or inappropriate.

 

[Blyssfull]

I am so thankful I am not the only mom who feels this way!!

My dd is 7 and thank goodness we live close to a Tanger Outlet. Osh Kosh has awesome! clothes for girls as well as the Gymboree without the Mall prices. I was just telling the sales girl at Osh Kosh the other day I had no idea what I was going to do when she got past a size 12. Everything is so hoochie looking now, even at places like Kohls. It's very discouraging.

Target usually has really cute ballet type shoes every season but I've really been reduced to just ordering Keds online. You can't seem to find just regular plain on keds like back in the day except online.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

That is exactly why I prefer to shop at specific stores. I love Gymboree for their baby girl section (their kid girl section has some items that are too old for me now), and I LOVE Janie and Jack. They are pricey but they are that traditional classic little kid look.

 

[kylovebug]

Ok, I have to join this. I have 2 dd, one who is 5 and 49" tall and the other is 2.5 and is 39" tall (they get this from DH, cause all of my fam looks like Fred Flinstone). I am also a nurse in a Peds office. I see ALOT of kids. I totally agree about the clothing choices and am glad to see more moms standing up about this. I had a 1 yr old come into the office with the word "Sexy" on her pants. And her mom saying "show the doctor your sexy belly". I wanted to slug her. Seriously. But I think that so many parents do not care or encourage this type of clothing. When I see 13 y o girls come in wearing a tank top, leather pants and a tramp stamp tattoo I want to take the parents out to the parking lot and beat some sense into them. Let the kids be kids!

My DH says girls clothes today are designed for the FFA - Future Floozies of America.

That is just my opinion!

 

[stashbin]

My DD 9 has a belly. She's not over weight...she just has skinny legs and a belly. Think Apple shaped.
Skinny jeans make her have muffin top.
Skin tight shirts accentuate her belly, thus making her feel bad.

My DD6 is skinny and stick shaped. She can wear anything. Not that I let her, but it's a lot easier to find choices for her than my DD 9.

I don't like hoochie mama looking kids.

 

[sk!mom]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority on this thread at least. I think the difference may be in what some consider "sexy." I've never found it difficult to find clothes for my DD14 and I recently needed to shop for my 7 year old nieces and there seemed to be a world of appropriate choices. I really didn't see anything inappropriate.

I do not allow pants with writing on the butt and we've always been able to find sweat pants without it. I don't care for shirts with writing and have not had a problem avoiding those either. Both Hollister and Abercrombie had lines of really almost 1950's style sweaters this winter. Very pretty and modest. I was in Target and Dillards recently for the 7 year olds and while they did have some mini-prom style dresses I found a large selection of the classic Easter, princess type dresses. Target had leggings and long tunic style shirts.

Jeans have been low rise for a few years- no problem to me but if it is a problem to you, Levi is still around with their classic styles.

Yes, I've seen string bikinis for young girls but they seem to always have one piece, tankinis, skirted suits.

TOMS shoes are very popular and completely flat so are Sperrys. Converse have been back "in" for a few years and they are also flat. I just looked at Dillards online for children's shoes and for every platform, heeled shoe there were several flat choices. Granted some looked like mini adult stles but I guess that I don't see the problem. In some cases, they look more like a child's style that is now available in adult sizes.

Maybe some of the Mom's should start dressing more age appropriately and then the kids would look like kids. That's actually one of DD14's pet peeves- The mom's of some friends who dress like the teens.

 

[imthatgirl]

I mean no disrespect, but I seriously have to wonder where some of you are shopping? I have a 10yo daughter and I have never had a hard time finding her clothes or shoes. Shes never owned a pair of heals or a string bikini in her life.

 

[stashbin]

My issue is with the styles. Skinny jeans do not look good on every kid. I also think they look too grown up for my 6 year old...although she loves them! It's hard to find jeans that aren't skinny jeans on a quick trip to Target.

I don't have time to shop all over town for the right fit for my kids. It would be nice if Target or Walmart had a better selection of styles for kids.

As a mother of 2 girls, I have to say that I have seen more inappropriate styles than appropriate. Unless I was shopping in a name brand store.

 

[princessmom29]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority on this thread at least. I think the difference may be in what some consider "sexy." I've never found it difficult to find clothes for my DD14 and I recently needed to shop for my 7 year old nieces and there seemed to be a world of appropriate choices. I really didn't see anything inappropriate.

I do not allow pants with writing on the butt and we've always been able to find sweat pants without it. I don't care for shirts with writing and have not had a problem avoiding those either. Both Hollister and Abercrombie had lines of really almost 1950's style sweaters this winter. Very pretty and modest. I was in Target and Dillards recently for the 7 year olds and while they did have some mini-prom style dresses I found a large selection of the classic Easter, princess type dresses. Target had leggings and long tunic style shirts.

Jeans have been low rise for a few years- no problem to me but if it is a problem to you, Levi is still around with their classic styles.

Yes, I've seen string bikinis for young girls but they seem to always have one piece, tankinis, skirted suits.

TOMS shoes are very popular and completely flat so are Sperrys. Converse have been back "in" for a few years and they are also flat. I just looked at Dillards online for children's shoes and for every platform, heeled shoe there were several flat choices. Granted some looked like mini adult stles but I guess that I don't see the problem. In some cases, they look more like a child's style that is now available in adult sizes.

Maybe some of the Mom's should start dressing more age appropriately and then the kids would look like kids. That's actually one of DD14's pet peeves- The mom's of some friends who dress like the teens.

I run alnog the lines of what you are staying. I don't mind my DD being in style, and don't have a problem with skinny jeans or low rise. They actually fit DD much better than the traditional styles. She regularly wear spagetti straps in the summer. I did when i was little, and most of ther firends do. It is SO HOT here! During the school year if sahe is not ni a unifrom she is typically in dance clothes, so she is used to wearing something comfrotable tha allows her to move. Fact is that at 7 she is not a toddler anyomore, and her style SHOULD change a little. I don't have a problem with that.

She wears skinnies, boots and a tee on a regular basis. She doen't look like a toddler, but she doesn't look like a "hoochie" either. I think everyone has to find the happy medium they are comfortable with and go with that. For us, that is current styles that atill offer enough coverage and are not too adult in print and fabric choice. Some are not comfrotable with that, and for them it is going to be more of a challenge to find things.

For us, the challenge is fit. DD is a serious dancer, and has a muscular lower body. She basically has hips at 7, and clothing for seven year olds in simply not made that way. Adjustable waist is our friend, and is a lower rise. Her upper body is pretty slight in comparison, and no trace of a curve there, so she always wears a different size top than pant. I make most of her desses because gtting one that is long enough and fits in the top is a challenge. The maxi dresses that are popular this year have been great for that. I have gotten a couple of those, and had to take up the straps a little.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I saw something really disturbing a few months ago in the abercrombie store for children, they had a display of sweatpants along with a poster of a young girl's butt in the pants and a something along the lines of "pants that make your butt look good" or something like that. I remember at the time being so shocked that they would have something like that in a children's store. I also work at a school and the way some of these children dress really shock me, I had a first grader come in with high-heeled sandals, short shorts and a tube top...really mom and dad?!?!?! It's so sad that these companies are basically forcing children to grow up way faster than they need to.

 

[NotUrsula]

I've got to say that I've never really had trouble finding appropriate things, but then, I'm too cheap to set foot in any store that could even vaguely be considered "fashionable".

I get DD's shoes at Marshall's 90% of the time. Occasionally I do see heels for kids there, but most of what they have is flat or has a small wedge heel. Her swimsuits come from Land's End and most of the rest of her clothes come from either Penney's or OUAC. I don't have any issue at all with putting her in boys' clothing for playclothes; she wears a lot of her brother's hand-me-downs.