On cotton blend, trucks and flowers

I've recently been browsing baby girl clothing out of curiosity while we wait to see if we're having one (I can hear my husband in the background praying for a boy so that I'll have no excuse to buy any more clothes)... and I am really not happy with baby clothing designers right now.

Especially for girls' clothing. What is with all the FLOWERS? And the LACE? And the RIBBON (Note to self - look up definition of 'rouched')? And the completely nasty patterns on so many of these things? Animal prints? And must every single shirt, no matter how simple, have those stupid ruffles at the hems? Must we have an entire category devoted to not just shorts, but also capri pants, for the newborn who wants the trendy mid-calf look? And faux-wrap? Puhleeze. (Actually it's not just faux-wrap, it also has the requisite satin ribbon, a dull flower pattern and lace on the collar and advertises the snaps on the back as an asset for quick and easy dressing. Sure.) And if you don't want to stop at a wrap that's faux, how about faux-fur? It seems like half of the girls' clothing is designed by taking adult (or rather, high-schooler) clothes and shrinking them, resulting in, as a coworker and father of two daughters says, "parents being forced to dress our kids like prostitutes."

Boy's clothing isn't any better, really. The same way that girls can't wear anything other than flowers, boys are apparently genetically predisposed to clothing with a vehicle or a symbol from some sport on it. I like to dress my boy preppy (at least, as long as he still lets me choose his clothing I will), so we don't have many of those items. His closet is full of shirts that come in about four colors total, the only difference being how thick the different stripes are.

Most of the stores I checked put together ensembles and give them names. At Gymboree, the girls' outfits names: Gingerbread Girl, Sprinkles on Top, Home Sweet Home, Heart To Heart, Winter Princess, A Neat Package. The boys? Little Aviator, Flight School, My Hero, Fired Up, Hot Stuff, Fishing for Complements.

OK, really, I have no interest in censoring clothing. They wouldn't make it if people weren't buying it. And I know full well that weeks or months or years from now, if I do have a girl (an October birthday, right? right?...), I will end up purchasing and loving some of what I currently make fun of. What I really want is more choice. I don't want to be stuck to the same four colors and patterns with such close division along gender lines.

Is there some line of baby and toddler clothing that is not too expensive ($25 for a onesie she'll wear for three months tops and poop all over three times minimum? No thanks) that has decent patterns? Is there a baby clothing designer that gets as wigged out as I do at baby girl t-shirts with gathering in the middle of the chest? I'm hardly a fashion maven (I pretty much wear solid colors all day every day), but I do have some appreciation for style on others, and I can't help but think that somewhere out there, there is someone designing clothing for babies that I can afford and that doesn't have ruffles.

Everyone should get one thing they're allowed to really hate with impunity. And I really hate the ruffles.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Funny - I loved ruffles when Dorothy was little, even though I hate hate hate the "baby ho" attire.

My brother and sister-in-law got a bunch of white onesies and bodysuits and had a big tie-dye party. They ended up with very cute unisex clothes, some of which Dorothy wore as a baby, too. http://contracheck.com/gallery/Dorothy_Week15plus/P6190354

[Kristin]

AMEN SISTAH! I just got back from Target shopping for long sleeve shirts and dress pants for the big kid. Evidently, once boys are in size 8 and above it's illegal to wear a PLAIN shirt. I did end up finding a couple, but I'm fairly certain they are the exact same as what he wore last winter, just one size up. And pants that don't have pockets/zippers/flaps around the knees? Forget it. And don't get me started on the gross denim "dressy" pants that have off white stiching. Is it so wrong to just want a pair of plain nice pants? With expandable waist, of course. And least girls get a little variety. PS, I really actually do love the lettuce ruffle.

[jo(e)]

I hate how gendered baby clothing is. Ugh.

I have many times bought kids' clothes (and teenage t-shirts too) at a local craft store. They sell just plain normal shirts and stuff like that with the idea that crafty people are going to buy them and add all kinds of frills and stuff. It's a great source for just plain normal clothing.

[Tom N.]

I agree that the clothing in most stores is way to gender-stereotyped. And before Dorothy was born, I was making promises against buying her pink clothes.

But then I became a Daddy to a baby girl. And society, genetics, whatever, then eff'd up my mind.

I still do try to buy her at least some clothes that are gender-neutral. And I don't get her any of the saccharine-sweet, gag-me-with-a-spoon girlie clothes. But I do find myself eyeing and picking up clothes what are definitely for girls.

Some day, I may be desensitized to the cuteness. Until then...

[Cynical Mom]

Elizabeth: Neat idea! And so colorful, wow... last time I tie-dyed something was 20 years ago and it wasn't nearly that bright.

Kristin: Ah crud, so you're telling me the boy stuff gets worse, eh? egh.

Jo(e): Also a good idea, thanks... I'd never thought about that before.

Tom: I know, and I fully allow for the possibility/eventuality that I will pink-up my girl as well (if she is a girl, that is)... but right now I'm going to choose to rail against it =) I already know I've changed, two years ago I thought that the glut of little dresses for baby girls was ridiculous, for girls that can't even walk... and yet every time I walk by a nice black velvet number at a store, my heart catches in my throat.

[flower girl dress]

I have many times bought kids' clothes (and teenage t-shirts too) at a local craft store. They sell just plain normal shirts and stuff like that with the idea that crafty people are going to buy them and add all kinds of frills and stuff. It's a great source for just plain normal clothing.

[flowers in the philippines]

I am now pregnant,and i am wishing for a baby girl too.But if God give me a boy then i will accept it.Thanks for sharing your views.

-Ashley

[COPELANDLawanda]

Some time ago, I did need to buy a house for my business but I did not have enough cash and could not purchase anything. Thank goodness my fellow adviced to get the personal loans from reliable bank. So, I acted that and used to be satisfied with my short term loan.