Is your 4 year old particular on what they wear?

[littleraysofsunshine]

My girl has never cared, always happy to wear anything. But recently.. It has to be "up tops with no sleeves" skirts, naked legs and no trousers or shorts. She also doesn't like black, blank or blue.

It's completely bizarre as it's just all of a sudden.

I'm not sure if anyone has said something at playgroup. It she says oh well so and so won't like this blue top. Oh I can't wear that unless I have a jumper to cover it up.

I just want a dress or up top.

Am I the only one wondering where this is coming from or is it just the age?

We've always been very happy for her to explore and be herself when it comes to anything especially clothing. Free to wear what she chooses and what she's content with so its not as if we comment on her negatively.

Yeah, kids change suddenly when you least expect it. DC1 never cared & the other DC were all at least somewhat fussy, by that age.

Oh my god! I've always gentle guided but let them be free to wear what they like. But the past few months it's been

"I don't like blank, black, grey or blue.
I don't like down tops or things on my legs.

I only like naked legs

We've just gone through seven outfits as she's found fault with all f them that doesn't make sense.

She's never been like this, I keep thinking has some one said something to make her this way? She always says oh so and so won't like this, I don't want to go there unless I can wear...

It's very bizarre.

My usually calm and relaxed girl has turned into a very highly strung fashion conscious little girl and I'm not sure where!!!!???

If it's any consolation my 2.8 year old is like this!! Drives me bonkers

My DD1 was like this - DD2 wasn't. It can be symptomatic of other sensory things and is still an issue for DD1 - she will now finally wear long sleeved tops and loose trousers (she's 7 now) but is still quite particular. School uniform was a Godsend for her, it's the only way I could get her in tights and jumpers for a long while. She's just quite sensitive to touch and texture - quite a fussy eater too, particularly with mashed stuff.

I'd just go with it as far as you can. The one thing she does like is 'snuggly things', such as soft jiggers from GAP, you could maybe give those a try? I do recall her having a very narrow wardrobe for a while though as there were so few things she would wear.

She is better now though but I still think carefully before buying her stuff.

Good luck!

That should obviously be 'soft joggers'. Not sure why autocorrect so vehemently disagrees.

Dd1 didn't mind as long as it was a dress and comfortable. She still minds much more about the comfort than the look and she's teenage now.

Dd2 minded dreadfully. From about 15-16 months she would wake up knowing exactly what she wanted to wear. Unfortunately she couldn't communicate it to me at that age which was very frustrating. She decided she didn't like tights or trousers at about that age and was awkward about putting them on, and would take them off as soon as you let go of her.
Then we had the skirt below the knee phase, and now she's in trousers and drsses/skirts are dreadful phase. For her it's the look, and comfort or suitability comes far way second.

At 4yo ds knew exactly his preferred outfit-nothing at all. If he must get dressed he'd like t-shirt and shorts (in all weathers) but don't ask him to choose it or take any interest or try deviating from the norm. You only have to say the word "smart" to him and he starts wriggling and saying he's uncomfortable. Wedding this summer is going to be fun then isn't it.

3 years old DS has been very determined with what he wants to wear. He could wear the same clothes forever if he could. He only wants his 'rainbow' jumper, as long as he has it he doesn't mind what he wears underneath the jumper. At night all he wants is his three stars pyjamas. I was thinking to collect the 3 stars pyjamas whenever I see one. Changing is a nightmare for us, we always have a tantrum in the end.

Haha my sister was exactly the same at this age, I think it's when they realise they can have an input on what they wear and suddenly they have all these new preferences! My sister went as far as being fussy about jeans that were identical except from the detailing was different, this was a big issue for her. Don't worry though we usually gave her options of what to wear so that she didn't end up going out in a strange ensemble! Also if she insisted on wearing shorts we had to pack warm clothes for when she finally have in and realised she was freezing!!

Oh gosh, I feel your pain my five year old has been like this for a while now and I can't work out if it's just independence or real sensory issues over textures ect... Dressing when we have to get out the door during the weekend is a pain (as many as three changes!!) bit week days are easier as it's just uniform and no choice. I'm hoping she grows out of it!!!!

My DS (4 in July) has decided it's summer so it's shorts and crocs all the way. He has a thing about long sleeved tops anyway and point blank refuses to wear them.

Oh and he's obsessed with Lightning McQueen so if his lightning t-shirts aren't clean you can be sure we'll be in for a tantrum!

God knows what he'll make of a school uniform in September, I might have to sew Lightning McQueen patches into everything!!

Dd (4) has always had strong views about what she will and won't wear. I just let her choose as long as it's not completely inappropriate for the weather. She chooses what clothes to buy too. She's in school uniform most of the year so I'm happy to give her that bit of freedom on weekends and holidays.

We love for her to explore her sense of style but say if the thing she wants is in the wash its hell.

Take this morning.

She's absolutely kicking off because of this. Then I be calm, offer alternatives but she refuses. Now I've just raised my voices d now dd2 has mimicked me saying oh dear you're making me feel so cross.

It's so hard keeping cool when it's every single morning for the past month or so. Actually two days prior to now she's been fine. But back to normal again.

I just can't find the right balance. I want them to have their own sense of individuality but also to know when I say something it means no. As in the stuff is in the wash. Or it's torrential rain out there you can't wear ...

I'm so scared it's driving a wedge between us already as its me doing this as daddy is at work.

Then you have the two cents worth from in laws offering "advice" which worsens the whole thing again.

Then I think do I just let her where them despite it being cold? She might not be cold like I am? But then if it rains or gets colder I don't want to have to carry more and more clothes to what I already have to take. Just for a simple trip to the park.

Oh yes! Dd1 (4.5) will only wear leggings or skirts defitnitely no jeans! I think it's a sensory issue.
Her colour preference changes daily as well but that's just fussiness!!