Today I’m posting as part of Calling All Kids, a series hosted by Alida Makes that looks at kids clothing and gender expectations.
I love Alida’s concept for this series. Challenging gender expectations is something I’ve done all my life, and it seems that my boys are following in my footsteps. Which makes it interesting when their dad is a quintessential Texas football coach. Â Let’s just say that he’s broadening his horizons on acceptable clothing too.
So Tater really likes pink and purple. And why shouldn’t he – they’re just colors. So when he custom ordered a purple shirt, I was happy to oblige. With a gray pocket as a nod to dad.
Side note – one of these days Tater is going to realize not all moms custom sew whatever clothes you want. Until then, I will (mostly) enjoy his requests.
Side note number two: do you ever catch a glimpse of your future kid? Yeah, that picture above -suddenly I saw Tater at 16 for a moment. And this kid is going to a HEARTBREAKER if that photo is any indication. Purple shirt and all.
This shirt is a self drafted one, just a basic button up. I upcycled the fabric from another shirt, and the shorts are actually these W Pants cut to shorts length after Tater got a hole in the knee. He is a boy, after all.
Make sure to stop by Alida Makes and check out the rest of the series. Oh, and there’s a giveaway too – see this post to enter!Â
Stacey
I’m all about boys in purple and pink. My youngest loves pink which makes me very happy. It’s good to have wee ones that are up for pushing the fashion limits of their very manly fathers.
Carin
I love the purple shirt. Yes a heartbreaker indeed. My son still loves me sewing for him too(I don’t know for how long but enjoying it while he does)
Sarah Helene
Ideal spring outfit for your son, pale lavender dress shirt with shorts . . . recycled both as you mentioned. I like the idea of a different colored front pocket, pale grey. Participating in “Calling All Kids” sewing series with 21 other Moms to challenge gender expectations. I’m following each blog to read & see results sewn with lots of LOVE! Sarah in Minneapolis
Jesse
I’m one of those moms who allows her kids (3 boys: 3, 7 and 19yo) to wear whatever they want unless we are attending a specific event, like a wedding, that requires formal dress. When my now-19yo was 5, he started wanting to wear pleather pants and faux fur-trimmed coats. These items were popular at the time…as long as you were a girl. So, we sometimes shopped in the girls’ department over the following few years. My 3yo’s current Chucks have glittery butterflies and flowers all over them. If he is wearing them out, I guarantee everyone who encounters him thinks he is a girl. He’s also a big fan of leggings. They are much more comfy and colorful than most “boy” alternatives, so I understand his preference. His father’s family thinks we are doing something terribly wrong in allowing him to wear these items. We try to have calm discussions about how society created these clothing norms and choosing not to be constrained by them does not = “wrong” but we get nowhere. It’s heartening to see people like you opening up the dialogue.