I dress my 18 month old in what I consider to be nice clothes. (I’m not talking labels here, just pleasant looking high street clothes). I like buying him funky little outfits that are like miniature versions of what you might see on a teenager or adult. Never anything inappropriate, and I would never ever put aesthetics over comfort, all of his clothes are perfectly comfortable.
I’ve read a few people being criticised for this sort of thing before and I’ve had a couple of doses of it myself. For example, the other day there was a question about favourite outfits for your child or something, so I said my favourite clothes that he has are his four black rock bodysuits (of various bands), that he wears with jeans as t-shirts on warmer days. They look so cute in my opinion, but some people are of the opinion that it’s terrible to put black clothes on babies. I also said that I also liked it when he wears a pair of jeans and a white button up shirt (not a stiff ’smart’ shirt or anything, just a day shirt). Out of all the answers, I was the only one to receive thumbs downs.
I also had a comment the other day – he was wearing a deep pink and navy blue polo shirt – it was from the BOYS section and isn’t a girly style at all, despite the main colour being the pink. I’ve always thought boys look nice in pink, it’s the only pink thing he owns, and he isn’t old enough to get teased for it so I don’t see the problem. He was wearing it with a pair of light coloured jeans that were held up with a [necessary] belt (otherwise they fall down – he is thin and tall) – and the belt is black and white chequered like you see some teenage boys wearing. Obviously that outfit wouldn’t be everybody’s cup of tea but I think he looked gorgeous and as I said, he’s too young for being teased – I’ll stick to spiderman tops and whatnot when he’s older I’m sure! But anyway we were at a play centre and a bitchy woman actually came over to me and asked "is that your kid" and proceeded to tell me I was pathetic for dressing him in trendy clothes and that I must be very shallow. Please note I had done NOTHING to her, she just came over to me and said that off her own back! Her children were all wearing clothes resembling pyjamas, but I wouldn’t dream of judging her for it!
Why do some people have an issue with it? I could understand if I was putting him in really tight or stiff or uncomfortable outfits. But they’re no less comfortable than anything, they simply look ‘fashionable’. I by no means think it’s important, and I’d dress him in a sweatsuit in a minute if I thought it would make him any happier. But when it makes no difference to him – what exactly is the problem? Why would I walk into a shop and buy something I prefer less when it is no more comfortable and no more advantageous to him? Does this really make me shallow?
Wow, I was bracing myself to get bashed for this, thanks guys! Nice to see I’m not the only sane one!
Not A Well Behaved Woman – well doesn’t your username say it all 
Haha – my son has the Guns n Roses one right now! I haven’t seen the ACDC one! They’re both adorable! 
Seshy – I don’t spend a lot of money. Did you not read the part where I said I don’t buy labels? I have no problem with those who do, but I don’t have the money for it myself. I buy his clothes from the same shops that I would buy them from even if I was getting him sweatsuits and pyjama like outfits, so the money is nothing to do with it. I didn’t realise that buying nice clothes that I could afford meant I was treating my son like a doll. Perhaps I should start buying clothes I find ugly for the same price, I’d be a better mother then, right?
They’re jealous, so they have to make up some excuse to hate you for it 
Honestly? I have no idea why people care so much. My daughter has a shirt that says "I have issues… already" and my son has a shirt that says "Parents, lock up your daughters!"
Sure I’ve gotten horrible looks. I really don’t care though because it looks cute on my kids. I think as long as your not putting shirts with naked women on your son, you’re just fine. Ignore the butts I’m sure your boy is adorable.
July 19th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
this doesn’t make you shallow, i think its adorable that he’s dressed in little designer clothing!
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July 19th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Let me simplify this for you…
Who cares what other people think?
Say it, repeat it, live it….
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July 19th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
people just like to cause problems i really don’t think it maters
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July 19th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Keep dressing him however you like!
Tell them to mind their own business if anyone comes up to you about it again.
The clothes sound super cute to me, by the way
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July 19th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
They’re jealous, so they have to make up some excuse to hate you for it
Honestly? I have no idea why people care so much. My daughter has a shirt that says "I have issues… already" and my son has a shirt that says "Parents, lock up your daughters!"
Sure I’ve gotten horrible looks. I really don’t care though because it looks cute on my kids. I think as long as your not putting shirts with naked women on your son, you’re just fine. Ignore the butts
I’m sure your boy is adorable.
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July 19th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
im with you, I love dressing up my kids, you have to put clothes on them anyway, why not cute ones? i wouldn’t purposely choose ugly ones, who would? I refuse to spend alot of money on them though, mostly all the clothes he has are hand me downs, my sis spent the money,lol My son has these pair of jeans and a brown tee that says "future rock star" and this biker jacket type thing, he looks to damn handsome to not put it on,lol. im not sure why some have an issue
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July 19th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
You Making Him Trying To Look Older Than He Is
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July 19th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Just ignore them. If your child was uncomfortable in those clothes whether or not he can talk he would still let you know some how! I think its cute. So if you like it and your son is comfortable then don’t even worry about it.
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July 19th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
I dressed my kids in the cutest little clothes, and since they didn’t give me their opinions on style or color I chose what I liked. I didn’t buy the latest name brand clothes either, just what I thought was cute. He won’t let you do always so enjoy it now, LOL. Don’t worry about what other people think. Everyone has an opinion and you can’t please ‘em all so why try?!
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July 19th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
People have a problem with everything… that’s just nature. I wouldn’t worry about what other people think, but rather just focus on what you like and what you think is best for him. That doesn’t make you shallow, it makes you a caring mother.
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July 19th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
You aren’t shallow – It just goes to show that there are way too many people out there that are so incredibly insecure with themselves that the only way they can feel better about who they are is to make someone feel as bad or worse than they do.
Ignore the bytches and enjoy your time with your son.
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July 19th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Who cares what people think, your having fun, your not hurting him, and I’m sure he looks pretty cool, by the way it takes a real man to be able to wear pink.
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July 19th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Some people have a problem with it because they think the parents treat their kids as a fashion accessory, like a hand bag, new phone or coat and they have the kid and dress it up to suit and improve their own image.
However from reading what you said you don’t seem to do it for this reason. You’re just having a little fun and aslong as the kid’s happy that’s all that matters.
As for the woman who came up to you, some people are idiots, don’t let it affect you and just move on.
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July 19th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
More fuel for the "I hate people" fire.
Really, I’m not a fan of people.
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July 19th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
The question you could have asked her is how does she dress her kids when they get their pictures taken professionally? Does she put them in a checkered shirt and striped pants? You are putting attractive clothes on your child, there is nothing wrong with that. When he is older, I am sure he would pick the same type clothes as you. So you are doing nothing wrong. I have a 16 month old boy and I love dressing him up in nice clothes, but the first thing I check is to make sure it is going to be comfortable. Just like you. Dont let people bring you down.
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July 19th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Well, they’re only babies once and if they have to wear clothes, might as well have fun with it. You’re doing fine. My only limit is the really offensive shirts, ie My mommy drinks because of me or daddy’s little tax credit. Fricking awful. I saw some Cannibal Corpse baby shirts which I thought were pretty awesome, but I just felt it would be wrong to dress my little girl in smething like that. And there’s nothing wrong with black on a baby!!!!
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July 19th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
WHO cares….? You are not shallow. If he is comfortable and he likes it also. That is all that should matter.
Your child, you choose how to dress him. I bet he looks adorable.
Simple. Next time, tell that lady to shove it and to mind her own dam* business.
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July 19th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
You’re not shallow. There is nothing wrong with any of those outfits. In fact I wish I could find more black shirts for boys. The woman was just jealous because she probably can’t afford nice things like that for her kids. It’s not your fault so just let it go.
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July 19th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Get used to ignoring people that feel it is their job to tell you how to parent. You’ll have to use this skill a lot over the years, they never stop! Develop some snappy replies like "you’re right! it will never happen again" with a huge airhead grin and don’t bother egging them on by trying to defend yourself.
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July 19th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Do what you want. Don’t listen to people that give their advice or opinion without even being asked. I don’t see anything wrong at all with the way you are dressing your child. It’s your child and you do what you want and don’t listen to the other jerks who decide that you really need their opinion. Sometimes I wonder why people just can’t keep their mouths shut.
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July 20th, 2010 at 12:01 am
Some people have nothing better to do with their time.
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July 20th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Hey im right there with ya, I would never take the time to try and understand why other people have the urge to blurt out their opinion as if they lack a filter system on their mouth, but I get what you’re saying.
Every single one of my sons outfits look like miniature outfits that teenagers and young men would wear. Every one. Because that’s what I like, and I actually, always get complimented on his outfits.
Dont let it get to you, lol
I love that girls answer up there…Dont care what other people think!
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July 20th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Oh there just jealous, screw them!!!!!!
What’s wrong with black or pink? My son wears both! I like pink on boys to, it’s not like it was a girly shirt. My son has like three of the shirts you were talking about. One is brown and pink stripes, one is blue and pink stripes and the other is something and pink. They are all polos and he looks so cute in them. He also wears his with cute blue jeans and a belt. And my son is 5 and he wore these outfits to pre-k alot last year and no one ever made fun of him!
And no you don’t look shallow : )
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July 20th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Seriously I would have b*tch slapped everyone. Seriously, mind their own business! I mean 18 months old is a toddler, not a baby. I didnt understand how people only wanted to dress their babies in sleepsuits anyway, I had a little girl and I loved dressing her in little dresses and skirts and things from day one. But I always chose comfort before fashion, and nice breathable fabrics, and I normally only dressed her up when we went out for a walk. What’s their problem, tell these people to mind their own d*mn business. I’ve never had a comment like that, probably because I have a girl and its less taboo. But seriously what is wrong with these people? Our children are better behaved than some of these adults.
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July 20th, 2010 at 1:32 am
Lock me up and throw away the key!
My twins at around 5 months old
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/89/l_2c2d5c8ae737553cc0e2c0eb17ff71a9.jpg
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July 20th, 2010 at 1:57 am
I don’t have a problem with you dressing your child up to look nice. I do have a problem with young girls wearing shirts that show off "cleavage" that they don’t have, or short shorts or mini skirts, because I think all of that looks really tacky, including string bikinis on 5 year olds.
But what you do, seems like you dress him nicely when you go out-which I see nothing wrong with that, since most people drop thier kid in whatever!
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July 20th, 2010 at 2:47 am
I firmly believe part of the fun of having a child is being able to dress him as you please. I have always like infants in soft pastels. I have gotten older and think they look adorable dressed in rocker gear-sometimes. Right now I’m trying to get my daughter to get some gell and spike my 7 week old grandson’s hair.
Time to become more forceful mom. If anyone attacks your son’s appearance you have the right to express your opinion right back at them!
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July 20th, 2010 at 2:52 am
all they see is a woman that pays a lot for something that wont last that long. kids are kids and not dolls its almost like dressing dogs up in clothes. it was wrong for that woman to do that but to dress your children up like a doll is a bit much. they aren’t mini people they are children.
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July 20th, 2010 at 3:35 am
Well, what you described sounds cute to me. Try not to let it get to you. Negative people will find a way to be negative in any situation and over any topic. Sorry they got you down for a minute!
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July 20th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Because some people just want to b*tch about ANYthing and everything… They will even invent a reason, if they can’t find an obvious one… It’s sad, not to mention, ridiculous.
Personally, the clothes you described, sound cool to me! I’ve never put my babies in black clothes, but that’s simply due to the fact that I can’t find them! Otherwise, the baby is cute, no matter what, and color or style, really doesn’t matter, as long as baby is comfy.
Seriously, would they rather your child be in nothing but a diaper?
I used to get looks, all the time, because I had my eyebrow pierced, and because I have tattoos… Oh, no! That automatically makes me a horrible, druggie mother! Nevermind that I love my kids more than anything, and am actually (usually) a sweet(ish) person!
Ignore ‘em… Or, simply remind them that he’s YOUR child, and you’ll do what you think is right.
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Married, with 4 kids.
July 20th, 2010 at 4:44 am
you may be shallow but so is judging you as a parent based on how your son dresses!
and i think he sounds really cute!
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July 20th, 2010 at 5:09 am
i have no problems with how ppl dress their kids, whether label or hand-me-downs (except i see some asian moms dressing their boys in too short pants and high socks and it just looks ridiculous…but i would never dream of approaching her about it).
i dress my sons in black sometimes. i think black suites them.
as for boys wearing pink….in the early 1900’s boys were usually dressed in pink and girls in blue. somewhere along the line the colours got switched and pink became a girly colour. a lot of teen boys and men are starting to wear pink shirts now, though.
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July 20th, 2010 at 5:39 am
I have nothing against it. I think its cute when babies are dressed like that.
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