Summer Fashion Woes

A recurring argument in my house involves clothing. With two girls who love to express themselves through fashion (and then leave the discarded outfits on the floor for Mama to pick up), it’s a topic that comes up a lot.

My eldest grew up loving the Spice Girls and their crop tops, and there were always stores ready to satisfy that “want”. But this mama said no way.

Next came sweats with text on the bum. I put my foot down there, too. “I can’t with good conscience send you off to school at 13, knowing men on their commutes to work will be reading your bum.”

Now that my eldest is at university, we’re in the throes of tween angst with my younger daughter. Because of her height, she already looks older than she is. It’s challenging for me to give a good reason why I don’t want my 12-year-old wearing shorts with a 1.5″ inseam without sounding judgy, especially when those are all that seem to available for teens these days! At 5’10” (yes, really!), my younger daughter has long outgrown kids’ sizes, and I’m perpetually challenged to find styles we both can agree on. So for now, I say no to too-short shorts, with my reason simply, “because I’m your mom and I say so”.

I wonder how long that will satisfy.

Photo Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Thinkstock

Natalie Rea

Mom to two amazing daughters - a feisty teen in middle school, and an ambitious young adult in university. Originally from Montréal's West Island, I now explore the beautiful trails of Hamilton, Ontario. Proud Canadian, vegetarian, dog-adopter, & bleeding-heart liberal. I smile a lot because I have Resting Bitch Face.