The color schemes of my childhood attire could easily rival a vibrant kaleidoscope. I can thank (or maybe blame) my parents for my unique wardrobe choices, as they were the ones in charge of my outfits until I turned 7 and decided to take matters into my own hands.
I recently stumbled upon a photo of myself at age 4. I was decked out in wide-wale, navy blue corduroys, a bright banana-yellow shirt adorned with brown cowboy graphics, and a dark blue cardigan featuring raised red and orange vertical stitching. It’s pretty clear from the evidence that my parents were reliving their fashion experiments through me. At least, that’s what I thought at the time.
Fast forward to today, and I’m now a dad to two little ones. My oldest daughter is 5, and my newborn is somewhere nearby. I’ve come to understand what my parents knew all along: as a parent, I have the right to dress my child however I see fit.
Usually, my wife takes the lead on choosing our daughter’s outfits, but every now and then, it’s Daddy’s turn to shine. Now, I’m no fashion guru—more of a bargain-bin enthusiast—but I make up for my lack of style with a healthy dose of creativity.
Throughout the school year, I curated some truly eye-catching outfits for my daughter that had her preschool peers exclaiming, “Wow, girl!” One unforgettable ensemble featured leopard-print tights, a tiger graphic tee, a fluffy white vest, chunky bracelets, and round purple sunglasses. To top it all off, I adorned her neck with a necklace showcasing a big, bold key.
Why the key, you ask? It symbolizes unlocking the potential to strut through life like a boss—someone who doesn’t care one bit about others’ opinions. Well, at least about her father’s fashion choices.
So why does a guy who wears T-shirts until they literally fall apart dress his child like she’s on a runway? Partly because I can, but there’s more to it. I realize now that my parents didn’t dress me like a psychedelic cowboy just for kicks.
When we put these outfits together, my daughter and I have a blast. She gazes at herself in the mirror, holds her head high, and beams all the way to school. This experience has taught her—and reminded me—to embrace boldness.
I know it’s just clothing, but I also recognize that one day, she might not want my input about her outfits or anything else for that matter. So for now, she’s my little model, and I’m her version of Betsey Johnson—minus the high heels. You get the picture.
In the future, my daughter will look back at these photos and may either thank or blame me for helping her stand out. Just wait until she sees the kindergarten collection I have planned for her.
This article was originally published on Dec. 19, 2016.
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Summary
Dressing my daughter in funky outfits isn’t just about fashion; it’s about building her confidence and creating fun memories together. Despite my questionable fashion sense, we share a bond through these creative choices, and I cherish the time we have before she’s too cool for my opinions.