Let’s talk microfashion (trademark Humans of New York). I love when parents give their kids free reign to choose outfits for day-to-day wear. It’s such a great opportunity for them to learn independence as well as what’s appropriate, what’s comfortable for different situations, and what makes them feel confident. Live it up while you can, kiddos, before it’s socially unacceptable to wear tutus and jeans or to drape yourself in a Batman cape for dinner as an adult.
Clothing choices are excellent ways of expressing yourself and your personality, and the choices you make should always be about having fun (regardless of your age). Sometimes it’s best to take everything a little less seriously, and be a little more expressive—just like kids. Style isn’t about following all the trends or having tons of money to buy the most recent designs. It’s about being yourself and finding the things that work best for you—that best represent who you are.
A prime example of this kind of microfashion success is my most stylish friend under 10: 3-year-old Miss Lucy Gennaro. Pictured above are a couple of the outfits she chose for herself without the help of her parents, Jen and Michael Gennaro. Like most girls, she loves dresses and tutus. Polka dots are her favorite pattern, but she likes stripes too. Right now, she’s obsessed with Elsa from Frozen, as most little girls seem to be. The most interesting aspect of Lucy’s choices is how different they are from Jen’s style. Rather than just replicating things she’s seeing her mom wear, she’s unconsciously cultivating her own unique look.
