Children’s clothes – namely clothes designed and thought for children – are rather new in the world, on a historic scale at least. Back in the day, before the industrial revolution, children would simply wear the same clothes adults did, just that in a smaller versions. There were no “children’s clothes” per se, as there are today.
Of course, for the most part of history, this was not a bad thing, since adults wore really basic clothes, similar to sweatpants and t-shirts today, so adapting them to a smaller size was not an issue.
The problem with children’s clothes appeared towards the end of the 19th century, when people were dressing up more and more in order to keep social appearances, as looks were very important in those days. In those days, most people, and that includes children, wore extremely uncomfortable clothes. The materials were not great, at least compared to 21st century standards and many clothes were extremely hard to wear.
While there is no empirical argument for this, it can be said that the discomfort of the clothes worn by kids in those days was one of factors that led to a hatred towards life that transformed into two world wars. Of course, it wasn’t just the clothes, but it can be said that the whole extremely uptight, corseted attitude adults had towards children made them suffer greatly.
In the 20th century, children’s clothes started to become more and more diverse and more and more shaped for children and their needs. This lead to a growth of an entire industry of children’s clothes and of children having entire stores dedicated with clothes for them.
By the beginning of the 21st century, children’s clothes became very diversified and parents could now choose to dress their children as they wish.
In the context that children’s clothes is so diversified, it is important for adults to ask themselves what from these choices they should pick? In other words, how should children dress?
There is no precise answer to that question, obviously, but we can give out some factors to take into consideration when choosing clothes for children.
The main aspect to consider is definitely comfort. While this may seem to be a clear concept, we see more and more kids these days dressed up in suits or even 18th-century royalty clothes. This is definitely cringeworthy, as these clothes don’t really provide children with comfort and have no connection to the child’s personality – they just scream parental narcissism. Even if the fabrics are comfortable and the cuts are well-done, there is so much going on there and there is such a distance between the child’s skin and the world that a kid simply can’t be comfortable. If you want your children to get used to wearing formal clothes, you can definitely have them wear those at special events and more frequently after 13 or so, when they can decide. Children are not dolls.
Secondly, we would recommend for small children to wear clothes that are simple. There’s not much of a point to have children wear clothes with tons of buttons, zippers, ribbons and other decorative elements. These may break easily or can be annoying to your child.
Last, but most certainly not least, in terms of design, children should wear clothes that fit their personalities. While keeping it simple and comfortable, you should look for clothes that a child will like to have, not clothes you would like to see him wear or that you’d like to wear, but can’t. This does not mean children should choose their own clothes, as they can’t really make a good rationale about it.
If you are worried that your child won’t develop a sense of style because you don’t cultivate it, you are wrong. Cultivating a sense of fashion in a kid may help, or it may make him rebel against it when he’s older. So many extremely stylish people have developed their aesthetic by themselves. Also, as a parent or caretaker, one should always consider the needs of the child: a child should not make you feel good about yourself; he’s not your project. Children are people and should be treated as such. They should be guided – of course it makes no sense to let a 3 year old choose his own clothes, but they should also be treated with much dignity and respect. Around children, adults should be in such a way that children will be grateful when they get old for the care that was given to them.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
A Debate: Children’s clothes, ads and roles
5 tips on choosing clothes for a baby
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