Why Do We Let Them Dress Like That?

Wall Street Journal ^ | 03/19/2011 | JENNIFER MOSES

[cjshapi]

My bf’s 14 yr old daughter had her cheerleading banquet a few weeks ago. Her mom was out of town so I went with them. Had to take her shopping the day before for a new dress. Penney’s had NOTHING appropriate for her age. Hit paydirt at Macy’s and it was even on sale.

I was appalled by the clothing almost worn by more than half the girls at the banquet. I’m 47, so not exactly ancient, but these kids were dressed totally inappropriately. However, when I saw a large portion of them with their mom’s it made perfect sense. Moms with pierced noses and 4 inch stiletto heels and dresses that barely covered their cheeks don’t set much of an example for their daughters.

I told my soon to be step-daughter how proud I was of her for looking so pretty and appropriate.

[Tax-chick]

My middle daughter, the one who’s almost 13, can wear adult sizes, so we have a reasonable choice of clothes in places like Belk or Dress Barn, but the younger is too big, unless we get lucky, for the largest size of girls’ clothes but too small for adult clothes. That leaves “Juniors,” which are mostly trashy.

Walmart and Target have very pretty spring dresses and casual outfits up to size 8, but not larger. And why is an average-sized 11-year-old too big for “14-16” sizes?

I’ve been afraid to buy things from eBay. I should find one of my friends to walk me through it, because half my wardrobe is going to be obsolete once Frank is weaned; I can’t, in good conscience, wear my nursing dresses all summer when other moms need them.