My little grand daughter is getting ready to turn 7 years old later this month. Ever since she was 4 years old she has been letting us know what type of fashions she likes and how she wants to dress! I admit…on most days she’s really good about putting together a nice outfit, but on other days…hmmm. Let’s just leave it at that.
While I think its great that little girls show off their individuality with their clothing choices…I don’t like that kids who are 6 years old are wanting clothing that costs MORE than the clothing I buy for myself! On top of that, she recognizes many brand names now and insists on having name brand, designer clothing.
Have you seen the prices lately on kid’s clothes? There is NO WAY I’m paying $64.99 for a pair of jeans or $54.00 for a top for a 7 year old little girl. Nope, not happening! Even if I was filthy rich…I wouldn’t be squandering money like that.
With that said…I’ve been working with my little grand daughter and teaching her to be frugal with her fashion choices. I think it’s important we instill these values into our children at a very young age. I’ve also been teaching her that the name on her clothing, doesn’t tell others who she really is nor does it have anything to do with her being a good person, being rich or being poor.
Recently we went shopping together and I bought her a nice denim jacket, denim jeans and suede boots. I got all three of the items you see her wearing in that photo above for less than $50.00 by using coupons and shopping clearance racks. So what…they’re not name brand but they look just as nice as the designer-duds.
While some parents have no problem dropping $100.00 on a pair of kid’s jeans…I’m certainly not okay with that! I would rather spend less money on things she’ll grow out of quickly and put the money that I save into her savings account for her future.
So…today I wanted to ask the parents and grandparents here on the blog what they thought about small children wanting designer clothing and the price of kid’s clothes in general? How old was your child or grandchild when you left them make their own fashion choices?
My granddaughter is the same age as your and I could totally see her wearing an outfit like your granddaughter has on. It is so darling and how great that you got it at a very reasonable price. My granddaughter has been picking out her own clothes since she was 5. I often shop garage sales and thrift shops for bargains and she is happy with that at this point. If she wants something in particular we look for sales.
I always wanted new clothes at that age. The best my mom would usually do is sew me something or take me to the thrift shop.
I love this post! I could not agree with you more on this topic. I think it is so ridiculous to buy children expensive designer clothing. I also hate it when I am out and about and I see little girls not dressed age appropriate.
Heather
What I really find disgusting is when we are at the beach house and I see little girls all over the beach and pool areas dressed very skimpy! I have caught MEN eye-balling these little girls several times and had either management toss them out of there or I’ve called the local cops. I don’t know why mother’s feel it’s appropriate to teach them to dress like that. I hate skimpy little bikini bathing suits on little girls with their flat chests and butts hanging out. OMGeeeee!
I can still remember the year that sisters and I started to have a big sway in what we would get for the upcoming school year. We each had a certain dollar amount we’d have to spend, and so we headed on out with mom. I had to have this velvet green skirt and a cream satin blouse. It cost enough that it ended up being my entire wardrobe for school. I felt so sharp the first day of school, but then I had to wear it every day! for months! until I could sew one or two things. But my mom did let me get this outfit, and it did help me realize that sometimes to have one thing you really, really want, you may have to give up having many other things. It was a good lesson to learn and it wasn’t meant as a punishment, just to let us make some decisions, and feel the responsibility of it, too.
I too do not believe in giving your child all the most expensive fashions. Some of them are just fads. Many of them will be outgrown very quickly and that is just a waste of money. I think it is important how to teach kids how to shop for good items on sale that will last.
No way. NOPE! Especially when they get outgrown so quickly. When my daughter was young, the big craze for designer jeans was hitting it’s peak – Jordache, Calvin Klein, etc. I don’t care how much she pleaded – she never got them. I suppose it you’re rich, that’s one thing – but for average people, it’s ridiculous! This is just one reason I totally support the idea of uniforms in PUBLIC schools.
I suppose by the time you are tween there will be a few things that may be pricey. But it is a bad habit to give your child everything, and they don’t really understand the cost. I can still remember a few things I wanted when I was a child and I was told we couldn’t afford it, as young as 6 or so, like a white stuffed Persian kitty. It really helped me develop empathy – towards my parents – and realized that money came from my dad working hard, not falling from the sky, and also towards others, as I could relate to others who could not have everything they want – or need. It can put a guilt trip on a parent or grandparent, or auntie. I”d be more likely to spend money on educational games, books or places that will help develop them. Tag sales, ebay, Target, you name it. I was more teeny than my younger sisters, and I had to wear their hand-me-downs. That I didn’t like, so I learned to sew when I was very young, doll clothes, and for me, and by the time I was 13 I was sewing very complicated outfits, for me and others. I can sew anything now, and nobody taught me. Not having everything you want can lead to benefits – resourcefulness, character building, etc. But I think it helps for kids to be told no with an explanation that helps them, not make them overly resentful. It’s ok to not have every pair of shoes everyone has. The kids in the town where I live have $700 boots, multiple Canada Goose down clothing ,new convertibles given to them when they turn 16, etc.
Rosie
I think this is part of the problem with today’s youth. Parents are going over-board on giving their kids the best toys, the best clothing and all sorts of other nonsense! Young kids grow out of the clothing usually before they wear it out. There is nothing wrong with buying an 8 year old a $10 pair of jeans at Target. They don’t have to have that $99 pair of jeans in the upscale clothing store and frankly, it’s just ridiculous to spend that money!
I’m thrifty with both of my grandchildren and I put the money I save into each of their savings accounts. When each child was born…we opened up a saving’s account for each one and every month I make a little deposit into it. On their birthdays, they get one gift and another deposit into their accounts and so forth. My one grand daughter is turning 7 later this month and already in her saving’s account is over $800. Sure, it’s not a lot right now…but it’s something and it teaches her to save and to be frugal.
great ideas!!!!
I remember, as a kid in the 70s, when I just HAD to have Adidas sneakers. They were the shoes every teen wanted, but they were about $40–way more than we could pay for shoes. My Grandpa eventually bought them for me. But even then I just knew I would not be getting any expensive duds, lol. (Of course, these days, $40 for sneakers is considered cheap!)
I got my nieces hooked on thrift stores! One in particular is what you would call a ‘girly girl’ and buying at thrift shops she dresses great and we have a ball going ‘hunting’. I know in some towns there isnt a htirft or consignment shop, but the charities here run several and she knows if I see something cute or she can wait she will likely get those designer jeans or otfit. I dont see how parents afford high price things, and really though if it wasnt for them, my nice would have the ones thy get home and change their minds about- plenty still new with tags!
We didn’t have designer duds when I was growing up. I wore some hand-me-downs from my sister, which didn’t always fit since I was taller and thinner than she was! Luckily I loved to sew and made some of my clothes, thanks to 4-H. I don’t think many young people care to learn how to sew now and would rather just buy their clothes. No, I wouldn’t let kid’s spend a ton of money on clothes. My last few new pairs of jeans I purchased at HSN were $10 each, they fit perfectly, and I wear them all the time! Teaching kids how to shop smart would be time well spent I think.