My daughter is a little fashionista.
This will come as no surprise to those of you who follow me on Instagram. She loves mixing and matching colours, prints and textures. Each night before her bath, she pulls her clothes from the wardrobe, lays them on the bed, and painstakingly compares and contrasts each item with the others until she’s put together the perfect outfit for the next day.
And quite often, she’ll ask to have her pic taken for #everydaystyle when we capture mine.
Months ago, my daughter asked if she could please choose the clothes that I wear. And I said no. Because while she always looks gorgeous, she always looks five years old. She’s meant to pair purple with yellow polka dots and blue stripes and look like she’s having a whole lot of fun with it.
But she kept asking. She really wanted to play around with someone else’s wardrobe. And why not let her? What was so important in my week that I couldn’t ‘risk’ wearing an outfit put together by a five-year-old?
So last week, I said yes. From Monday through to Sunday, I wore clothes, shoes and accessories as selected by my daughter.
And here are the outfits.
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Monday. We started with a colourful BANG! with a bright, geometric dress. (Arcade clown face sold separately.)
I have a pair of leggings in this print (in different colours), and thought my daughter would pair them together. She loves nothing better than matching patterns. But no. She let the dress speak for itself with black tights and boots to finish off the outfit. While I felt a little overdressed for the library, the post office and the supermarket, this was something I’d happily wear most days of the week.
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Tuesday. Layers were the order of the day. My daughter chose a black maxi, a favourite cardi, a hat and my polka dot flats.
I quite liked this outfit when she put it together, but the pic is deceptive. This maxi is a light and breezy summer shirt dress, with buttons that quit mid-thigh, and two thigh-high side splits for good measure. It was a cold, blustery day of medical appointments and a client meeting, so I spent most of the day battling the lower sections of my dressed as they whooshed around.
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Wednesday. Another dress (I’m sensing a pattern here). My polka dot shoes again (I’m sensing another pattern here).
I love this dress, and my daughter kept it very simple. The knit got a little warm as I jumped around hosting music group in the morning, but apart from that, it was perfect for the day we had planned.
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Thursday. A polka dot shirt, a polka dot skirt and – you guessed it – my polka dot shoes. With a heart scarf just to break things up a bit.
This is the sort of outfit I thought I’d be in all week. Matching patterns. My husband asked our daughter that night why I wasn’t in polka dot tights. “Silly dad. Mum doesn’t have any! Silly mum! You need to get some polka dot tights!”
I spent the morning at a shopping centre with my son, feeling rather self-conscious about my head-to-toe spots. But no-one batted an eyelid. Possibly because the goosebumps on my arms (it was 11 degrees and raining) tied the whole spotty dotty look together.
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Friday. Another skirt, teamed with two tops (layered) and – you guessed it – my polka dot shoes. All pulled together with the matching polka dot belt.
When my daughter picked out all of these elements on Thursday night, I cringed. Spots! Stripes! Spots! Checks! More spots! Surely, it would all be too much! But somehow, I think it all worked. I still felt overdressed for a day of play and fun with the kids, but I’ll have to add monochromatic print-clash of epic proportions to my mental list of outfit possibilities.
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Saturday. Back to dresses with another bright, geometric dress, a scarf and boots.
This dress arrived on my doorstep on Friday, and my daughter’s eyes lit up when I opened the package. “You HAVE to wear that tomorrow! With your scarf with the blue and orange on it! And your grey tights and boots!” And so I did. It was the quickest she’d come up with an outfit all week. Probably because she forgot a jacket, cardi or jumper to go with it. Once again, I was FREEZING!
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Sunday. My daughter’s grand finale included all sorts of elements, all sorts of colours and all sorts of textures.
Orange dress (although, on me, dress is a generous description). Yellow cardi. Cream beanie. Grey scarf. Navy tights. Beige flats. It was all happening on Sunday, and while it was fun to play up to it, I was glad we didn’t have any plans that saw us leaving the house for extended periods of time.
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I thought this would be a whole lot of fun, and it was. But I learnt a lot too.
What did I learn?
- I might not be a fashion and beauty blogger, but my daughter may very well become one. A very good one, at that.
- It’s good to get someone else to look at your wardrobe. They’ll see it with fresh eyes and put together combinations you’d never thought of.
- It’s worth wearing your ‘special’ clothes for everyday activities. Why save a dress or skirt that you love for ‘special’ occasions? Why not make every day special?
- The grin on my daughter’s face every time I wore something she chose was worth it. In fact, it would have been worth wearing a paper bag all week for that grin.
- Listen to your kids. They let you know loud and clear (and early) what their interests are. Encourage them, even if it means wearing some interesting outfits!
I’ll definitely be repeating this exercise in the future (perhaps when the weather is warmer!), and will also be looking for other ways to give my daughter more decision-making opportunities. I know she enjoyed this exercise because of all the clothes she got to play around with, but she also enjoyed simply being trusted.
Have you ever handed control of your wardrobe to one of your children? What do you think you’d be wearing if you did?
What a lovely activity to do with your daughter! I love her selections, especially the monochrome pattern outfit on Friday! She’s definitely fashion stylist talented!
Thanks Ingrid! She had a ball, and I have to admit that I had fun too!
She did a pretty good job! I guess 5 is a bit young to understand weather very well in dressing though.
Ha, yes it must be! I shouldn’t have been surprised given she asks to wear summer dresses every day.
Your daughter has an amazing eye- I love the spots and stripes- she’s inspiredme as I never mix patterns. I’m gonna try it!
I wanna see it! Thanks Amy x
WOw. Your daughter has got an eye for a great outfit. And though I always let my four-year of fashionsita choose her own outfits, I’m afraid if I let her dress me I’d be rocking doc martin’s with neon-hued tights, a tutu and stick on tattoos. 😉
That’s what I thought would happen! Or stripes with spots and checks but with different colours for each pattern!
Your daughter has a great sense of style. Looking gorgeous.
Thanks Raych. She is definitely the fashion talent in this family.
I love this! My fave outfit is the checks, spots and stripes – your daughter is very talented.
Thanks Carly! I love that one too. Trying to work out where to wear it next!
Yes, your daughter definitely has an eye for style. I love the spots, checks and stripes. It works!
Thanks Jodi! It really does, doesn’t it? I might just lose the belt next time.
I like how she didn’t play safe. I’m quite a fan of the pattern clashes and good on you for letting her be your designer. I’m quite curious now to know what my boys would come up with!
Me too! Let them do it! Do it do it do it! x
She did a great job! I also like your point about your girl loving being trusted, made me think.
Thanks Vicki. Me too. Trying to give her more decision-making opportunities in the day. An collaborative ones with her brother, too.
*And
Love it! What a great idea. Your daughter is showing some true vision here. I think she did very well. I have a son, so I would love to do this with him. But I am a bit scared I will have to dress up in my husbands clothes. But maybe he will surprise me 🙂
I was surprised, so I say give it a go! It doesn’t have to be a full week. I was only planning on going for five days, but my daughter was enjoying it too much.
hehehe so cute! Your 5 year old did a great job 🙂 she clearly loves your spotty shoes, but who could blame her!
Yes, the spotty shoes were certainly a hit! I haven’t worn them since – must get them back out!
I think she did an amazing job! I would be so proud.
xx
Thanks Angie. We’ve certainly tapped into one of her talents here.
I love her style! She’s a little more daring with the colour and pattern choices so she’s mixed you up nicely. x
Thanks Bron. Yes, much more daring than I! I can count the number of times I’ve mixed patterns on one hand.
Awesome! I think she did a fabulous job:)
Me too! Thanks Bec.
This is so awesome! And your daughter definitely has an eye! Would you consider renting her to me for a couple of weeks so she can come and overhaul my wardrobe? I have no idea and need all of the help I can get!!!
#teamIBOT
Absolutely! We’ll take payment in the form of airfares, rooms and board. (And thanks. x)
Holy crap. Your five year old does fashion better than I do.
Better than me, too. For sure.
This is gorgeous and she has an eye for fitting the right clothes to your shape and style. Ashlea and I went shopping a while a go and we dressed each other.. Was heaps of fun.
Thanks Nat. It probably helps that I got ruthless with my wardrobe earlier in the year and there is now nothing that doesn’t fit perfectly or that I don’t like wearing.
Oh I love this so much! I think it’s great you let her be your stylist for the week. I must say I was disappointed to see on day six and seven that the polka dot shoes had been replaced. I love the mix match of stripes, spots and checks. Mind you, you’d look good in anything. I’m not sure what mine would choose if I asked her. Something pink, no doubt 🙂 #teamIBOT
Thanks Renee! I don’t know where to start with the thanks for this comment. All so lovely. x
I love that you did this Em!
I’ve often thought about letting the kids pic my clothes but have hung off on doing it.
Also that pattern ‘clash’ actually works really well. I’m impressed. Although I feel for you that you couldn’t even have a jacket!
I may have thrown a jacket on later in the day. But my daughter made me change it. To my polka dot one, natch.
Wow! Your daughter has great taste…I love how she’s managed to put those outfits together. Oh and I am in love with your Saturday dress…mind if I ask where you got it from?
Also, are you planning to hire your daughter out so she can help the rest of us? 🙂
Thanks Sanch! The Saturday dress is from Boom Shankar. I think it’s still on sale – it was $15! Sorry for the delayed reply. No internet access. STILL! Am overloading on my mobile data download instead.
She 100% outdoes me in fashion. She would also hate my wardrobe: “um, do you have anything that’s not black? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T OWN ANYTHING WITH POLKA DOTS?”
Haha, she does love a polka dot! She pointed out that I have lots but she doesn’t have many and can I please get more things with polka dots please mum? (We’ll have to include a polka dot request in her letter to Santa this year.)
I love that you honoured your daughter by letting her dress you for a week – I’m sure she will never forget! And yes, you definitely have a mini style blogger or stylist in the making there. Miss 18 has just started uploading makeup videos to YouTube – another type of blogging really. Makes this mama bear so proud!
I’ve already had to agree to let her do it again when the weather is warmer. With 27 degrees forecast for tomorrow, she’ll be asking again, I’m sure!
WEll, I find my kids push me out of my comfort zone in all kinds of ways, but I hadn’t really thought about it in terms of fashion! It’s actually a great idea to let a little person unleash a little risk into your everyday style. She did a great job! She clearly has a big future ahead of her as a style blogger (or well dressed rocket scientist…or something) 🙂
I like the well-dressed rocket scientist idea! She’s super clever so here’s hoping she doesn’t find the ‘you can do whatever you want in life’ message overwhelming and just follows her heart.
Wow she may have a job as a fashion stylist in the future for her! 😉 she did very well I think!
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
Thanks Ai! x
She definitely has a great eye for fashion. I don’t think I’m quite up for letting my 2.5 year old dress me… I have a feeling I would be wearing a tutu all week. And nothing else.
Ooh, now there’s an interesting idea! You could always try it then back out if it’s not working.
You were very brave letting her have free reign, but she obviously knew what she was doing.
She certainly did. She’s clearer on fashion than I am, that’s for sure!
What a great idea and I think Miss 5 has done fantastic job. My boys would have me wearing my zebra print dressing gown or a Sydney Swans jersey all week. I do have polka dot tights though. Try Myer 😉
Thanks for the tip! I do like the idea of polka dot tights. WITH the zebra print dressing gown, of course.
She has style! and you’re a great model for your budding fashionista:)
My 13 yr old has always had the same flare, I’m in awe
Thanks Erin! She certainly does.
You daughter does indeed have a eye for style – you look great!!
Thanks Lydia!
This is too cute! I might have to try this with my boys … or not!
Yes, you should! I’m going to try it with my boy when he’s older. If he’s interested. All signs currently point to probably not.
She did brilliantly! So fashion-forward and you look fantastic.
Thanks Beth! Fashion-forward is the perfect term.
I think your stylist did a fine job, Em!
Me too! Thanks Lisa.
Your daughter has some serious style going on.. Is she rentable? 😉 xx
There have been so many suggestions for that! I might have to answer yes. She’d love it!
Oh this was such a cute idea. I could see Immy just jumping for this opportunity. For now I’ll let her dress herself in her own unique style, she’s not as tame as your little one. Zoe xx
Mine isn’t at all tame when it comes to dressing herself! I think she balanced how I normally dress with how she’d like me to. Not at all what I was expecting!
Can she come dress me? She’s totally got peint clashing down and I love that she (and you) are not afraid of colour!
I love the idea of letting someone else dress you – I might have to let my partner loose in my wardrobe, fresh eyes !!!
That’s a good idea! I’d do that except he’d be BORED with a capital BORED and I’d just be wearing the same thing every day. Or nothing. Yeah, probably nothing.
Love this. How adorable she has you looking the whole week. Maybe I should borrow her. She’s far cooler & more stylish than me! My toddler is probably too young to trust with this task. If I owned pink, that’s what I’d be wearing.
Ah, but if you don’t, perhaps it’s worth the experiment? Let me know if you do!
How much does she charge for her styling advice?! She did a fantastic job and I can see from the reactions on your face each day that you enjoyed it too. Now the question is, will you be handing over the styling decisions to your little mister next? I’m sure he wants to have a go too!
Thanks Tash. I did enjoy it – more than I thought I would, in fact! I would happily let little man have a go too, but he is not at all interested. Yet. Who knows?
Oh wow she did a great job! She certainly has an eye for it.
She certainly does!
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