Madeline doesn't need Rachel or Brad

Madeline loves all things fashion. She loves dressing herself, dressing up, jewelry, shoes, handbags, hair accessories, all of it. Loves it all. When she was old enough to hold her head up, she started fixating on jewelry. Now she compliments strangers on their jeweled sandals and chunky bracelets. She asks to watch the runway part on “Project Runway” just to “see the pretty dresses, Mama.”

Hello Kitty shirt - Target

Hello Kitty arm warmers - BabyLegs

Shorts - old jeans cut by me

Since she loves fashion so much and has strong opinions about what she wears, I get asked a lot about how I handle the issue of what she wears. Meaning, they are wondering if we fight over her clothes. Now I know this can be a major issue between moms and daughters but my kid is only a whopping 4-year-old so I’m not professing to be an expert at dealing with this topic. However, the answer is no, we do not fight over it. Here is my approach:

1. I have final say on everything we buy.
2. Madeline dresses herself.
3. If we own it, she can wear it. 

Shirt - pajama top given as gift

Tutu skirt -  Target

Cowgirl boots - Target

Hello Kitty sunglasses - Target 

1. I have final say on everything we buy. I have a lot of fun shopping with Madeline because her taste is better than mine but if an item is not appropriate, then she knows we don’t take it home. And she knows what I deem as appropriate or not. Because I talk everything out, this isn't an issue in the store. She knows the rules.

Hoodie - Once Upon a Child

Leggings - Target

2. Madeline dresses herself. Of course, there are times when I pick out her outfit but on a daily basis since she was 2 or so, Madeline has been dressing herself however she wants to. She doesn't get to call a lot of shots at this point in her life so I think it's good for her to make these kinds of decisions. We don't argue much about what she wears because she now has a pretty good sense of what to wear for different kinds of events. 

Plus, as I said earlier, her sense of fashion is way better than mine.

Jean jacket - Value Village

Dress - Goodwill

3. If we own it, she can wear it. If it’s in her closet or in her drawers, she can assemble any outfit any way she wants, even if it means the orange cut-off sweatpants are worn with the pink cowgirl boots. (I just die a little on the inside every time every time I see that combo. No big deal.) 

So my approach means she sometimes leaves the house in clothes that do not match and might look odd from a distance AND up close and sometimes we go to Target in a Rapunzel dress. But most days, I actually love the outfits she pulls together. She has a lot of fun picking out her clothes and trying them on in a mirror and asking my opinion. And you guys. She’s 4 years old. She can wear a ridiculous outfit without looking ridiculous and actually eek the adorable out of it. There are only a few years this is possible so why not ride it out. 

So if you see us in the grocery store and Madeline is wearing an amazing layered look, know that she pulled out her inner Rachel Zoe. And if you see us at the park in orange cut-off sweatpants and pink cowgirl boots, please remember I had no part in it.

*All of these photos were taken in one week so you can see how she rolls.