Talk to Me About Middle School Clothes
Last year, to enter 4th grade, my daughter was focused on clothes but in a reasonable way. By that I mean $40 jeans and cute t-shirts.
This year, totally different story. I need to know if this is normal. She wants a Juicy short sleeved hoodie, a Juicy t-shirt, Juicy headband and Ed Hardy sneakers. This does not include clothing for the lower half of her body, she’s still deciding about that.
My questions to moms with daughters over age 11:
- If I pay $300 for part of an outfit for a child, can you just wash it everyday and use it like a uniform? I’m thinking you have to have a whole bunch of these.
- When she narrows her search for jeans down to a pair of Hudsons and a few others, is it OK to laugh?
- How bad does this get? Give it to me straight.
20 Comments to “Talk to Me About Middle School Clothes”
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Ed Hardy is so $30K millionaire its not even funny. Next thing you know she’ll be trying to get ‘on the list’ at Wild About Harry’s.
Honestly? I love ya Merritt but I think you would do a huge disservice to your daughter if you let her decorate herself in high fashion and trend coming and going. As parents we have the right to say no to our kids when they ask for things. There is no upside to getting an 11-year-old girl a $200 handbag or a $300 outfit - I don’t care who you are or where you live.
We have got to stop perpetuating the idea to ourselves and our children - especially our daughters - that you must have the latest and greatest everything to be accepted in our society. You don’t.
Why not one Juicy item for the beginning of the school year, and then something as a reward for hitting the honor roll this quarter? Make her work for that designer stuff! She’ll appreciate it more, and you won’t take the hit to the pocket book all at once.
One designer piece now, one per quarter, dependent on making the honor roll. You could even up the ante and make it two if she makes all A’s, perhaps.
Politically Astute, LOVE THAT!
Kersten, Kind of boring but true.
Call me a moldy fig but I just don’t get it why any mother would want her child - CHILD- emblazoned with a designer tag that carries obvious adult sexual meaning. I don’t get it.
Quite frankly I’m glad I don’t get it.
Eric, I really don’t get it. What do you mean?
My daughter has been begging for some ridiculously overpriced jeans, so I love the idea from Politically Astute. I recommend checking ebay & purchasing from sellers with good feedback. And be sure to check TJ Maxx at Park & Central and Marshalls at Preston Center.
I think Kersten is so right on with her answer. Moreover, it seems desperate to be so into brands–whether it be handbags, clothes, whatver. Or like one is trying too hard….
All of that stuff is going to clash with the prim and proper Vera Bradley purchase. I say you start with a theme, you end with it. Head to toe paisley in garish pink and green, please.
Merritt,
In response to your query for Eric to explain his comment. Olu Dara says it best:
IJS
Merritt,
I am trying to link up with up with YOUTUBE. If it doesn’t work this time search keywords Olu Dara and “your lips”.
I am soooooooooooooo glad I have a boy! He doesn’t care what I buy him to wear.
I am in my mid 20’s, and I boycott Juicy as a rule. Their message and image and style are way too sexually overt - especially for a 5th grader! I think it’s tacky when college girls wear it.
Have you been inside the store at Northpark? Go there; seeing it all at once might make you reconsider. Or just take a look at that pouty, over-sexed looking PRE-TEEN in the photo with this post. Good lord.
You know, as far as I know, I’m not considered a prude, but even I find the Juicy and Abercrombie and Fitch advertisements offensive.
$15 - 20 for a shirt and $25 to 30 for jeans is about all I’m willing to spend for my middle schooler.
I guess if you’re buying designer things for yourself, don’t be surprised if your kid wants them, too.
What I pay in tution at Ursuline (including school uniforms)is probably close to the cost of the designer duds these HPMS girls are wearing - not to mention the savings on make-up and the time spent figuring out what to wear each day. Thank goodness there is nothing overly sexual about plaid.
If you think there is nothing sexual about the catholic school girl uniform then you are insane. Google search it.
As another mom with a daughter entering 5th grade, I appreciate Politically Astute’s great idea and also understand Merritt’s dilemma. I have caved in to certain “I’ll-die-if-I-don’t-have-it” trends (cell phone, a Juicy tracksuit, the regulation Vera Bradley bookbag) but have held firm on most of the others. I just got her FOUR pairs of really cute skinny leg jeans from Old Navy for a grand total of $51.96 (thanks to the Stuff N’ Save 20% coupon I used) and I wouldn’t buy her
anything trendy unless it’s on serious sale (the Juicy tracksuit was $120, marked down from $210). First thing is, she’s going to grow out of this stuff in like, 5 minutes. More importantly, I think buying such pricy, trendy pieces sends her a message that wearing the “in” stuff is necessary for acceptance/success, etc. which I don’t think it is, even in a wealthy, competitive environment like HPISD. I truly believe that a smart, kind, funny little gal will find a comfortable niche there, even if she’s not sporting the very latest fashions. Also, while we are financially comfortable, we honestly can’t afford to dress her in this type of stuff, other than for a special occasion. But I do cop to wanting my kid to “belong” as she enters middle school (hence the above purchases), so I truly understand both sides of this dilemma. I guess we just need to follow our best instincts.
Thank you Nick. My point exactly. There isn’t much to choose from for a young teen girl that doesn’t make her look like a pop tart, sex kitten in the making. Even a catholic school uniform isn’t safe.
I wouldnt pay full price for all those designer clothes. By the end of the second week, almost everyone at the middle school is wearing sophie shorts and HP tshirt/sweatshirts. My two daughters favorite clothes are hand-me-downs from my best friend’s HP high school daughter which includes four slightly used juicy track suit jackets. They wont always wear the new clothes I get them but they always think her clothes are “cool.” Also, if you search you can find True Religion and Seven jeans in the $55 to $60 range (all the rage by 6th grade). Also, the five (very stylish)seventh grade girls that ride in my carpool informed me that the Vera Bradley bags are sooooo last year and out of style –so dont waste your $98 plus tax! Also, all the middle schoolers love anything from Forever 21(cheap!!!!). Even if the pants are too big they can usually fit in the tops. And to the PSM, I went to Catholic school for 12 years and always wanted to go to HP.I bet your daughter does, too. The uniforms look terrible and make all the girls look frumpy. Anyway, my two cents. PS Last year I almost had a stroke when I saw several 5th graders wearing $300 Tori Burch flats!!!!