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Original poster

Is my daughter getting too old for smocked dresses ??

100 replies

mummyloveslucy · 01/08/2008 21:04

Hi, my daughter is 3.5 but is very tall and is in age 5 clothes. She has always worn smocked dresses as I love the traditional look. She has long auburn hair i ringlets. I have stopped her wearing the pale pink ones as it's started to look babyish on her. The pale blue still looks gorgeous as her eyes are very blue.
I just wondered if they were starting to look babyish on her especially the long sleeved winter dresses. People have started to ask me wether she's been to a wedding/ party etc. She wears matching ribbons in her hair too.
Please be honest. I don't want her to look older than she is, but is this look a bit too young now ?? Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/08/2008 23:03

I think my mum would still dress me in them now if she had the chance.
Good night X

OP posts:
AbbeyA · 02/08/2008 07:32

It is the only time in their lives that you will be free to choose their clothes so make the most of it while it lasts!

Cappuccino · 02/08/2008 07:42

you are scaring me

mrsruffallo · 02/08/2008 07:45

Sorrry, but this sounds rather odd

MadamePlatypus · 02/08/2008 07:51

No she is not.

It is my ambition to make a smocked dress for my daughter and I can't imagine getting around to doing this before she is a tleast 3. Probably she will infact be 13.

Infact, I understand that smocked dresses are actually in fashion now.

smocking

Lilliput · 02/08/2008 07:59

I like my dd to wear beautiful dresses when the occasion is right. She always looks lovely and feminine but not always in dresses, ribbons and skirts. I think that dressing a child as decribed is inhibiting. I know when my dd has a good day full of activities, good food and fun when by bedtime she is filthy.
What on earth does your dd wear for special occasions if she is dressed for a party every day?

Cappuccino · 02/08/2008 08:08

yes totally agree

your child knows she is all dressed up even if you're not saying 'don't ruin your clothes'

Wallace · 02/08/2008 08:25

I don't think knowing that they're dressed up usually stops children playing and getting dirty, does it? (...thinking back to the other day when 7 year old dd put on a beautiful dress that had just been given to her and then climbed into the filthy boot of the car...)

Maybe the op's dd just isn't a running around getting dirty kind of child, they do exist

Cappuccino · 02/08/2008 08:27

I do think that being dressed up with matching ribbons is going to slightly change your opinion of yourself, not on a day to day basis, ie if a child wears a more dressy outfit on one day, they won't change how they are

but over time, surely, being presented in this way is going to affect how a child views itself. Especially if everyone is constantly asking if she is dressed up, and every other child her age is wearing something different

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 02/08/2008 10:30

She does have trousers and matching swing tops too. She doen't wear smocked dresses every day, but they do look gorgeous on her. When I dress her in the mornings and I chose trousers, she complains. She has always been very lady like in a way since birth. She is just not a tree climbing kind of girl. She takes after me.
Cappuccino- I find it odd that people would want to dress there toddlers like bratz dolls and minie adults. No accounting for taste.

OP posts:
pgwithnumber3 · 02/08/2008 10:34

My friend's daughter sounds like your DD mummyloveslucy, she sat with her lovely dress and lelli kelly sandals on a chair watching my DD1 splashing in the puddles naked (in our back garden) with a pair of wellies on! She would hate the thought of getting wet or dirty. Some girls are like that.

RusselBrussel · 02/08/2008 10:35

I think there are plenty of nice outfits inbetween smocked dresses with matching ribbons and skinny jeans with a bratz t-shirt.

I do think that if a little girl wears smocked dresses with matching ribbons most days there is a bit of 'mummys little doll' about it.
But if both you and her are happy, then that's fine.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 02/08/2008 10:52

I see what you meen. I also love her in her 3 1/4 lengh trousers and swing tops etc. She is always wearing clothes that match and look smart, even her casual. She is fussy about waist bands, anything tight fitting, anything itchy ect. Comfort is her no one priority, and mine.
As long as she is comfy and looks clean and smart I'm happy.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 02/08/2008 10:57

cappachino- she has been wering lovely clothes since she was a baby. It dosn't meen anything too her. She is more concered with her manky old purple fleese top that she loves. If she got dirt on that she would be upset.

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 02/08/2008 11:24

I think it sounds a bit wierd.

MadamePlatypus · 02/08/2008 13:01

Ironically smocking is just a way of gathering fabric to make it easy to wear and was commonly worn by labourers. It depends on the entire outfit, but I don't think a smocked dress is necessarily impractical for a child.

MadamePlatypus · 02/08/2008 13:01

"gathering fabric to make it stretchy"

elmoandella · 02/08/2008 13:14

not read whole thread. but i think you should keep dressing her as long as you can like this if she's happy and your happy. i think this style is gorgeous. cousins girl still dresses like this and little tee's with rara skirts and pigtails. she looks super cute. everyone comments. my dd is only 1y o and this is how i dress her, and will continue to do so. it's also really practical. if she's in trousers and gets them all muddy in garden i usually have to change her whole outfit if going anywhere.

but when she's in skirts/dresses i only need to change tights in winter or give her knees a wipe in summer.

elmoandella · 02/08/2008 13:16

and smock dresses with legging on must be the comfiest outfit ever for them to wear.

SlartyBartFast · 02/08/2008 13:16

my dd now 11 loved dresses, causing big fights in the winter, due to lack of tights. if you have the dresses why not?

Mercy · 02/08/2008 13:21

Mrsruffalo, why do think it's odd or weird?

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 02/08/2008 15:47

Probubly because she has no taste.
Little girls like dresses, it's a fact of life. She is not a tom boy.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 03/08/2008 10:51

Why on earth would you never let your daughter wear jeans?

I think small girls in jeans look utterly adorable, actually.

misdee · 03/08/2008 11:00

if they are practical then let her wear what she wants.

none of mine are big dress wearers. am trying to get dd3 to wear more sun dresses but she mainly refuses.

can you link to the sort of style you are talking about?

RuffleTheAnimal · 03/08/2008 11:03

as long as shes comfortable, able to play and get mucky without admonishment about making herself messy then dress her how you want.

i have to say, the fact people are asking if shes been at a wedding makes it sound like shes immaculate all the time, and i dont think thats healthy for 3.5yos. 3.5yos shouldnt give the remotest toss what they look like!