It’s been my experience over the past 2.5 years that cute, non-puppy, non-cartoon character-laden, non-UGLY inexpensive boy clothes can be kind of hard to come by, so shopping’s difficult.
I’ve spent hours scouring the few stores that carry semi-decent, in-my-price-range boy clothes endlessly for Joshua’s outfits (at least the non-play clothes ones). Even if that means I’m scouring the same 3 racks of clothes.
In light of this, I have a confession to make that is absolutely INSANE.
Being a girl mom is hard. And New Girl isn’t even here yet.
Because shopping for girls is equally as hard as shopping for boys but for totally different reasons.
You see, I heard “It’s a girl!” at the ultrasound and visions of ruffles! and dresses! and tights! danced in my head. I thought “SHOPPING!!!” Most likely because I’m a girl.
And then I got home and started paying attention to my Zulily emails and Old Navy’s girl’s section online and putting stuff into and out of my online shopping carts. (And that’s pretty much the only two places I’ve “been” because, hello, Hell Week).
Want to know what I discovered?
THERE ARE TOO MANY CHOICES.
If there are 3 racks of little boy clothes, there are 30 racks for little girls. Do you know how hard it is to decide between the pink romper and the pink romper with little white flowers and the pink romper with little white and yellow flowers and the pink romper with the little white and yellow and blue flowers?
BECAUSE IT’S HARD.
And it’s hard to even choose between two solid pieces, too. Because how many solid purple onesies does a girl need? (Multiple, if you ask me. I mean, let’s not talk about the fact that I buy long-sleeved black t-shirts nearly every time I see them on sale, mmkay?)
And then I think “If I put her in too many dresses, will she rebel one day and become a female body builder? Or will she develop some sort of princess complex?” Like, can I screw my child up by what I put on her? (Judging by Toddlers and Tiaras, maybe.) I mean, I certainly don’t want to ruin her by dressing her in a way that typecasts her for the rest of her life.
Then there’s the practical side of me that thinks about the cute things I bought for Joshua that he never wore because we never go anywhere. (I’m looking at you linen pants and embroidered linen shirt screaming Panama-Jack-meet-ADORABLE BABY BOY and still hanging in his closet.)
All of these layered, jean-skirt and leggings outfits make my ovaries all twitchy but they scream “PAIN IN THE ASSETS!”
Because there will be poopsplosions, y’all. Probably more than one. I know enough to know that much.
And spit-up. And knowing my track record, a lot of spit-up.
I’m neurotic. (That’s not new information, people. Move along.)
How do I dress girl babies?
story
Wednesday 14th of December 2011
Before Baby Girl was born, my mom said "She mostly just needs onesies, and one or two dresses for if she goes to a party." (And my husband? Found the idea of a baby at a party so funny that a year and a half later, he still laughs about it.)
She's mostly right. But you should also throw in a few outfits for when you want to say "Oh btw? I have the cutest girl baby in the world. You're welcome." I had a fall baby, so I liked those sets with the onesies, the jumper dress, and the leggings, but there's also an article of clothing called a "scooter" which may be the cutest thing ever created.
Oh. And buy her a pair of black yoga pants. Because that's what we do for people we love.
pinkflipflops
Friday 9th of December 2011
hahaha isla rarely wears dresses. when she does, she wears leggings underneath. im hoping to avoid tights. hell, i'll put random pants on under a dress. i also only buy clothes for her off the clearance rack. im thinking for christmas maybe i'll splurge. but the girl? owns 6 christmas dresses and frankly, 2/3 might not even be worn.
janell
Friday 9th of December 2011
My girl baby, born last April, lived in onesies & carters lounge pants/babylegs and one piece footie type 'sleepers' pretty much exclusively until she was walking. I have a major aversion to diapers sticking out of pant tops and cute little shirts riding up when being picked up - so onesies and one pieces it was. Now at 20 months, she is just now starting to wear long shirts (over sleeveless onesie undershirts) with leggings/jeggings/skinny jeans. I get most of her clothes at target, and I agree - there are WAY too many choices, so I just physically do not look at it all, I grab the first thing that I like and go - and I don't look at all unless there is something specific that she needs.
Tracy @ Liberating Working Moms
Friday 9th of December 2011
Unless you are doing pictures, dresses before they can walk are pointless except to look at. I've learned my lesson. Even crawling...they get stuck beneath their knees or end up around their waist. Leggings will be your best friend. And I guess leggings under dressess before walking is great. That being said, I have tons of cutesy pics with Abby wearing dresses. ;)
And those frilly things....they will all go in her mouth. Abby would grab her shirts and nom on bows and ruffles and sequins and stuff.
The best and easiest while she was young were sleepers. For reals. Easy Peasy...and there are so many cute ones.
For me personally, even at 2, I have yet to put Abby in a jean skirt. I heart Old Navy, but they make them so damn short. I guess if you put leggings under them you will be good.
Oh...but the good thing about dresses is that as Abby has grown, I can still use dresses, but as shirts. She's tiny so though she's grown in height, she hasn't gained much around.
I could keep going on and on...but let's just say I've learned some lessons. If baby number 2 is a girl (not pregnant yet) I'm changing things up :)
And again, SQUEEEEEE for a girly :)
Miranda
Friday 9th of December 2011
So what you're saying is, make sure everything's sewn down really well?
And hooray for dresses as shirts!
Denae @ New Mom Adventure
Friday 9th of December 2011
In my experience, give up on the idea of "outfits" at least until walking. Embrace dresses and onesies of every kind. realize everyone will want to get her clothes and no one will buy practical things. Create rules.
Elena already has a TON of clothes and no hand me downs. I created myself a rule that I could only buy it if it was on clearance and less than $10. Plus not more than $20 spent in clothes at one store in one week. It is so easy to buy.all.the.cute.things!
Miranda
Friday 9th of December 2011
I know there will be a ton of Baby Legs and onesies until she's walking. A ton. And the good news about girl clothes being so abundant is that the clearance racks are equally as abundant with girl clothes! WIN!