I’ve made no secret about how happy I was that my first two kids were girls. I knew shopping and dressing them was going to be a blast. And it has been, but I was not prepared for a girl like Annie. She loves clothes. LOVES. And loves her shoes too. I can actually get her to do anything (like take a bath) with the promise of putting on shoes afterward. It’s bizarre for me because even though I thought dressing a girl would be fun, I didn’t personally care about clothes until I was about 16 years old.
Since Annie loves playing in her closet, I’ve involved her in choosing her clothes. For the most part that meant me picking two different shirts or dresses, holding them up to her and asking, ‘Which one?’ She always picked my favorite. Smart girl.
Yesterday, I walked into Annie’s room to get her dressed only to discover she was already standing at her dresser. ‘Clothes, mama!’ she said. I watched her open the two bottom drawers, rifle through her clothes, and carefully select a pair of pants and then a shirt. ‘Clothes. Wear CLOTHES.” Then she threw the items at me.
SHE IS TWENTY MONTHS OLD! And this is what she picked!
For reals, you guys! Her fashion sense is better than mine. And after I dressed her in the pants and shirt she said, “Flower shoes. Flowwwwwwwer shoooooooes.” As if she wanted to be EXTRA sure I understood her.
I really am not ready for her to be completely picking out her outfits. Perhaps it’s shallow, but I don’t trust her to always have days like today. I fully expect her to pick out mismatching bottoms and tops, and my control-freak tendencies are just…not going to do well with that.
I remember having fights with my mom over clothes and the outfits she wanted me to wear. But I was…well, I was OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER. Annie isn’t even two! Who told her it was OK to have opinions?
This kid is systematically finding my weaknesses and destroying me. SOMETHING ELSE I WASN’T EXPECTING UNTIL SHE WAS OLDER.
If you need me, I’ll be curled up in the corner.
Jayme says:
I hear ya. I let my 14 month old choose between outfits, because she’s a little, um, dictator-ish when it comes to clothes. Except. She has these socks, knee-high, multi-colored striped socks, that she insists on wearing with EVERYTHING. I rue the day I ever bought those mothereffing socks. I am in for some trouble *sigh*.
Heather says:
My youngest is going to be 9 at Thanksgiving, she has had an opinion about clothes and shoes since she was 18 months.
She came up with some pretty horrific combinations but they always made people giggle and say, “she dressed herself, didn’t she?”
We still have days that I cringe when I drop her off at school. Some days she comes home and tells me that so-and-so didn’t like her outfit. I ask her if she likes it, she says yes, I remind her that that is all that matters, plus they just don’t know fashion when they see it.
Take photos to document her crazy outfits. You’ll appreciate them when she is older.
Amy K says:
Hey, your girl is stylin’! If she picks out a few more outfits like that, I’ll be asking for her fashion advice. My own toddler loves wearing purple UGGS and goofy hats, but that’s about as far as her interest in clothing goes. Selfishly, I hope I get a few more years of dressing her up before she really forms her own opinions on the subject.
Anthony from CharismaticKid says:
WOW! Future fashion designer coming!
Penbleth says:
She is pretty cute and co-ordinated. Just remember, if there is something obnoxious you don’t want her to wear, don’t buy it in the first place. Of course, that would mean not taking Annie on shopping trips for clothes. Easier said than done, I know.
Betsy says:
My 2yo son not only picks out his own clothes, he picks out MINE. “Wear THIS, Mama,” he’ll say to me shoving clothes in my arms. And you know what? Frequently I do, and I think it looks great!
Jen says:
My youngest daughter (now 5) was like that too. I used to call her “Elle Woods, the Toddler Years” because everything she picked out involved pink, some sort of bag to carry a stuffed dog, and shoes. I personally loved it when she picked out bizarre outfits, it shows character Have fun with Annie, girls are the best ( I have 3).
Jen
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
I need Annie to dress me.
Sue says:
Well of course she wanted her flower shoes,,,to match with her flowered top. Oh my gosh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she is positively gorgeous. Yes; if she picks out something that doesn’t quite match,,,you’re going to have a battle on your hands!
Ashley Tinius says:
My 2 older girls (6 & 3) like to pick out their own clothes. Sometimes they pick good ones, sometimes not. Sometimes I’m okay with them looking like clown hobos, sometimes I’m not. It is amazing how quickly they want to be independent and pick their own clothes. I didn’t expect it either. I’m just glad my youngest (10 months) doesn’t care, and I can still dress her how I want, but I’m totally expecting that to change in a few months!
Jen says:
Yep, my 21 month old SON does the same… Without even looking, he knows what is in his closet! The other day he told me he wanted khaki pants! (girl clothes are much more fun though)
Michelle says:
OMG, she sounds exactly like my oldest, now 5. When she was Annie’s age I loved it and thought it was way cute. Then she turned 3… and now she’s 5 and getting her dressed is a complete nightmare. She’s so picky. I don’t dare buy anything without her with. Most mornings I want to poke my eyes out. Our twins are so much more laid back about clothes. When we went and got the bucket of clothes Lola wore when she was three we found all of these virtually unworn clothes because picky wicky wouldn’t put them on. Gratefully the twinlets do. BEST.OF.LUCK to you. I hope Annie is more agreeable than Lola
Colleen says:
Not to worry about the days she makes bad fashion choices (or Dad dresses her). Just make some colorful stickers that say, “I dressed myself!” or “Dad dressed me today!” Everyone will understand and she will feel proud wearing the stickers! Problem solved.
Monica says:
aww she looks great! what a little fashionista! JOrdyn has worn similar colored tops/bottoms but with totally different patterns. You learn to pick your battles.
Rachel says:
I have a great tip that I used with all three of my kids (boys and girls). I purchased a hanging storage unit with 5 or 6 shelves on it. I then prepared 5 different outfits, and the kids could go look at the outfits and pick the one they wanted to wear. That way, they feel like they are making their own choices but I had some control over the clothes matching or being season-appropriate.
Lisa says:
Wow, that girl has some fashion sense! I think I need to have her come over to my house and pick out my clothes for me in the morning
Maya was the same way. She has been opinionated about her clothes since before she was 2 and now, at almost 4, she won’t wear anything that she hasn’t picked out. Oh, and she has decided that she knows better what looks good on us. The other day she told my husband to change his shirt because she didn’t like the one he had put on!
Jenn says:
She looks awesome!!! She is a bright little one…that’s for sure!!!
Shan says:
Lol..she is a little fashionista. So what Heather if she picks mismatched clothes though…I used to be super picky about that..then I realized..hey if my kid wants to rock an Iron Man helmet his motorcross shirt, and blue jean shorts to the grocery store at 3:oo in the after noon..who really cares. Makes him happy…it’s not hurting anyone. She is absolutely positively adorable!
angie says:
My oldest daughter is like that. When she was less than two she was picking out clothes, adding shoes, jewelery and hats to her outfits and comming up with some very nice combos. Sometimes she would put together strange combos that worked in a funky two year old way. Sometimes they did not work. On days when I did not feel like having a battle of wills I just let her wear what she picked out. Sometimes, as I dropped her off at preschool I would say to the teacher “Look, Alivia dressed herself today. Doesn’t she look fantastic!”. That was my way of making sure no one thought I picked that outfit. The good news in now she is 7 and she is still opinionated but she is more open to reason. She will listen to certain rules like those colors don’t look good together or you wouldn’t wear that type of shoe with those pants. Its still tricky and she is still opinionated but she doesn’t dress like a freak so its all good.
Tamela says:
Not sure if this link will work, but here’s my darling son last year. It’s how he rolls. I can’t tell you the arguements my husband has with him because collared button downs don’t go with sweat pants. Luckily my 7 year old is a stylin’ little guy.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.42066334561.54916.591214561&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=413548209561&set=a.42066334561.54916.591214561&type=3&theater
Katie says:
Didn’t Mike write a post when Annie was a baby about whether or not he had to put shoes on an infant in public??
I think Annie read the post and is horrified that her dad took her barefoot to the grocery store. This is her way of answering his question.
Kay says:
I’m ashamed to say that your 20 month old has better fashion sense than I do… and I’m 20 years old. Maybe she can give me tips when she learns to type.
Arianne says:
I’m impressed. For my daughter (about the same age), it’s the shoes. There is no such thing as too many shoes, too pink,or too sparkly. Sequins? Awesome. Reflective pink with characters? Cant be beat. Pink suede boots? NEED THESE. Aargh. I spend far more on her footwear than I do on mine. (But, secretly, I love that she’s a super-girly pink wearing lady who plays with trucks
Liss says:
i am not ready to let my SIX and FOUR year olds completely pick out their outfits. i actually let them choose their shirts for the entire week, then i pick out the pants and we lay them out on the top of their dresser in their closet. so any day of the week they can pick out whichever of the 5 outfits, but we all know they match/look good and the kids are satisfied, feeling they got to choose. on the flip side, i’d let them wear whatever they want, mismatched and all because, by golly! they dressed _themselves_ without any help from me…..but then people tend to think i don’t take care of my kids because i “let them out in public dressed like that!” (and it was cute when they were 2, not so much when they are 6!)
Rebecca says:
I’m jealous that she’s wearing a tank like top, capri’s, and sandals and doesn’t look like she’s really very cold. I’m wearing blue jeans, 2 long sleeve shirts, thick socks, and shoes and am still cold.
Kelly says:
My oldest went through a phase where she would not wear pants. No pants, no capris, no shorts. Dresses and skirts only. It was a long phase. With me coming up with creative ways to dress her warm in winter.
Now at 19, getting her to wear a dress or skirt takes an act from God.
Lea says:
Whoa that Annie is always ahead of her time! I am so impressed that she picked a great outfit, but the control side of my personality wouldn’t be too crazy about it yet either so I can understand where you’re coming from. My 19 mo is okay with me picking her clothes, but when it comes to shoes those have to be HER choice every time.
susanmig says:
hehe, it’s going to be such fun seeing the photos of annie’s upcoming fashion exploits! once again, chose your battles…this one you’ll never win
lisa @ early morning run says:
Oh my lord. Such a fashionista! Good luck!
Snarky Mommy says:
OMG, my almost 4-year-old insists on wearing a dress every. damn. day. It’s usually fine, but when she has gym class, we have to battle it out at 8:15 a.m. She’s my fashionista, which is fine, but I have to make sure I stock the drawers with stuff I like on top so she chooses those first!
Pattie says:
Annie’s fashion sense puts mine to shame. What a stylish little trendsetter she’s turning out to be!
leanne says:
Absolutely adorable. Also wanted to echo what someone above said about picking your battles. Because I get it — it’s been hard for me to let go and let my kids, especially my 3 year old daughter (I also have a son who is 7), pick their own clothes. But it’s much easier if they wear what they like rather than trying to tear off clothes that they don’t. So the other day my daughter wore a German soccer shirt and pink tutu skirt. And she was still adorable. But I might be a little bit biased. I also might have gotten a chuckle out of her choices.
(though so far I’ve been pretty much in charge of what’s available in her closet and dresser — so that helps.)
Jessica Makuh says:
My five year old has really liked dresses, tights, and bows since she was two. She loves to dress up! She is just now starting to argue with me over clothes, especially dresses. Before she would usually wear what I suggested, but now if she didn’t choose the dress at the store, she refuses to wear it. It’s been a big problem since I buy most of her clothes alone. She just told me she only likes 2 out of the 7 dresses in her closet and those five are awesome! We do not seem to have the same taste in clothes. She tends to like a dress just because it has a cupcake or a monkey on it. I would prefer not to buy her dresses with cupcakes or a monkey on them! I’m also having the exact problem with her that Claire had with Rudy in The Cosby Show. She wants to wear summer dresses in October Ohio weather. We’ve had several arguments. I have to give up control and I’m having a hard time, too. She also doesn’t understand about stuff matching and will wear red tights with a pink dress just because she wants to and I just can’t handle this! Ugh! Luckily, she doesn’t care what I choose from her drawers for school every morning, so we are mostly just having this issue before church. My three year old has always loved hats and shoes, so people buy them for her a lot. She refuses to wear anything I have suggested. In fact, they both do. I have learned not to suggest anything just because they might choose what I like if I don’t say anything! It really bothers me that they veto something just because I suggested it. They should value my opinion! It’s hard for me when my three year old chooses shoes that clearly don’t go with her outfit. One good thing, though, is that I always arrage their clothes in their drawers in pairs so that shirts are with the pair of pants they go with. Thankfully, my kids know that and usually choose items that match. Good luck with Annie. We both need to get ready for the ride!
Trisha says:
Just remember to choose your battles wisely. If you’re home on a weekend with no plans and she wants to wear stripes and polka dots, it might be better to just let it go. I was battling with my 3 year old and it was wearing me out, so we compromised that during the week for preschool mama gets to pick the outfits and on the weekend she is all over the house in pajama pants, tutus and mamas heels but as long as we’ve got nowhere to go, I let her win!
becky says:
u r screwed!!!…lol
Issa says:
Welcome to my hell…I mean um life.
My oldest has been like this since Annie’s age. She looks like a freaking kid model every day. No joke. Her fashion sense scares me, because I have next to none.
Lanie says:
Annie has such good taste – she adorable. I am constantly struggling with my 4 year old wear get dressed or she gravitates towards clothes that don’t match. The other day I gave up and she wore 3 tutus to school. I figured too many clothes was better than none at all. . .
Bridget says:
She is seriously so cute!
My 3 year old son has been dressing himself since he was about 2.5. Some days what he picks out totally matches…then other days he picks out stripped shorts, and long sleeve orange shirt, and his cowboy boots. At first I tried to make him change, now I embrace his fashion sense.
Cindy says:
My daugter was like that. So pretty much everything I bought from the store co-ordinated in with the other pieces one way or another so there was only a really small chance it could clash. But I do have to admit, there was some times that she put together some outfits in a way that I wouldn’t have done and she looked gorgeous. Generally, I bought cargo/neutral/denim coloured skirts/shorts/pants and then most tops would usually just go with them no problem. No worries for me and she had control of what she wore
Jeanie says:
Good job, Annie! You look very stylish and adorbs.
meg says:
to be honest, i don’t think there is anything cuter that a little girl in a ridiculous outfit that she obviously picked out herself! like a fairy or halloween costume in the spring or a sundress with a shirt underneath in the winter.
I think its adorable!!
MondoMOM says:
You have quite a little fashionista on your hands! Cute outfits!
Megan@TrueDaughter says:
I have always let me toddlers choose their clothes and shoes, sometimes to my detriment. My oldest wore a striped outfit from healthtex for nearly a year straight, paired with pink hiking boots. My now 11 year old wore a silky princess nightgown over EVERYTHING from the ages of 1.5 to 3. Everywhere. I didn’t care, it made her happy. The only time I ever put my foot down is church.
My 4 year old has had a pair of crocs on his feet, night and day, since he was 1 year old. When that first pair finally gave out, he was heartbroken! “Wook at my trocs, days bwoken aweady!” Dude, you’d been wearing them for TWO YEARS straight!
Suze says:
I suspect with you buying the clothes, she can’t make too many mistakes!
You may remember those arguments because they were arguments. Just remember to pick your battles and ask yourself if wearing orange and green together is going to ruin your day more than it will ruin hers if you make a fuss about it.
Ray says:
Annie is QUEEN!
That is all. ;o)
Gemini-Girl says:
Soleil is kicking my ass when it comes to clothes. She needs to change her clothes like 4 times a day- I tell her she’s not hosting the oscars.
She ADORES dresses and skirts (hates pants) which is a problem because she inherited my ahem.. hairy genes. Poor kid.