Conflicting styles.

Uhm, so who knew fashion would be such a difficult thing/ conflict with a mommy and her 3 year (almost 4 year) old little boy?? Isn't there some "right of passage" where I have the ultimate final say in what gets to be worn, and if you pick it out of the clothes that I have bought for you, then you will just be thankful that you got to pick them out for the day and be happy?? Well, if there isn't there should be! Seriously, getting dressed each day is one of the BIGGEST challenges I am having with Elem. There are so many issues I just dont even know where to begin. So I am going to try to capture them in a few bullet points.



Elem's sense of style likes and dislikes:

In general-he does not like to get dressed-this is at least a 20 minute ordeal-sometimes longer, which makes for many mornings where we are running late.

Only likes Nike shoes -and only likes to wear one pair of shoes for an extended amount of time....meaning that I may buy him lots of pairs of shoes, but he only wants to wear the same pair every single day, with every single outfit, whether they match or not.

Does not like blue jeans-this one is very difficult! Especially when I buy him all these adorable little skinny jeans that he looks so cute in!

Wants to wear "comfy pants" to school every day (and everywhere for that matter)-again, promblematic. Comfy pants meaning sports pants, loose fitting, no button or snap. I dont like it-enough said.

He only likes pants with no buttons or snaps. Uhm, this would mean elastic waist only. Yeah-not gonna happen.

Likes his shoe laces to be "tied small" and equal between right and left shoe! Thats right-meaning, he likes the little bow to be small, which is usually accomplished with a double knot, and that they look the same when looking at them from his view point! seriously. This takes several ties every single time we put them on.

Likes t-shirt style shirts-no collar. -this one I can give him, but there are only so many cool hurley (nice looking) t-shirts out there. Collared shirts are so easy to find. When put on, he simply chews on the collar that is right by his neck, the entire day which means there is a nice saliva stained wet collar for the whole world to see while he is out walking around.

Again, likes t-shirt styles-no button downs. Ugh. I dont really have a shot with this one, because he just rips them off and throws the shirt on the floor. No button downs for Elem. They don't feel "comfy" enough he says.

Does not like to have ANYTHING put in or on his hair-If you recall, he has wild man hair, that does its own thing, and needs some taming several times a day. Getting gel in his hair (which makes it look SOOO cute I might add) is seriously a mini fight waiting to happen. I try to let him do it, he wont. Let me do it, he wont. Sneak it in, I usually get popped. Which means a buzz cut could be the answer-but I refuse to do so.

Hates tags or lining inside of clothes-I totally understand this one-I really do. I can't stand when tags rub against my skin, much less imagine wearing some lining inside my shorts. So I am happy to cut out the lining (like in swim trunks), and a few tag removals here and there is fine. But! That totally makes the resale factor that much harder!!! haha. I know that is stingy, but come on. I need the size and brand name in there to get a few dollars back from what I pain on the things!

So, my issue with my child being this little fashion stud-is giving me problems. I LOVE shopping for clothes for Elem, and to be honest, I am really good at it! I have a style in my head that I want him to wear, and gosh darn it, I should be able to get him in those clothes!!!! I make it a point to spend many a shopping trip looking for those sales and clearance racks, and I NEVER pay full price for his clothes. So Hurley, Gap, Old Navy...can you please crank out some skinny jeans or collared button downs that would make my little man feel "comfy" enough???? I know I shouldn't have an issue with it, and I know I should let him be comfortable and not have an all out argument over getting dressed and what he is going to be wearing all day. But I really do feel like your kid is a representation of you, and when you send him out into the world for the day, that is a reflection of you! And I want him to have a sense of pride in what he wears. I think it definitely develops a habit and down the line he will want to continue to dress nice and feel good about himself when he gets ready in the morning. But, for now, I am looking for ideas and ways to make my sense of fashion work with his stubbornness and sense of need for his OWN comfort. Deep breath-sigh. I know its not the end of the world what he wears, but gosh darn it, I want him to wear the things I bought for him. And to be thankful his mommy has a sweet sense of style. One day he will look back and be thankful I had him looking good, right?