There has been a divide in the world of kid fashion, To either go maximalist and cater to the kids wants, or go “sad beige mom” and cater to the moms wants. I want to explore the pros and cons of each side, give my opinion and see if there may be a better compromise for those moms stuck in the middle.

Moms for Color

The argument for color in kids clothes tends to stem from the belief that children need stimulation and that the colors surrounding them need to evoke positive emotions. This is often referred to as ‘dopamine dressing’ and in theory is supposed to make the child feel good in the clothes they wear and bring positivity to their environment. Now is that just big fashion talking? Who knows, but lets explore the potential pros and cons.

Pros:

1. No Wheres Waldo Games

Bright colorful clothing can help your child stand out in a crowd. Also it is easier to describe your child's outfit to any bystanders in case of an emergency. This is also very important when it comes to dressing kids in bathing suits.

1. A Sticky situation

Unless you feed your kids beige foods (Please don’t) colorful clothing can help hide stains better when you are out on the run, and the stain is small,because lets be honest it’s not really worth the effort of changing a toddler especially if you have other kids. We’ve all been there.

1. Put the wallet up

If you just wanna grab some clothes to get dirty in and have fun, its much easier to find cheap colorful clothes at almost any store. That way you don't really have to worry about any stains or tears at the playground. Your kid can be cute and low maintenance.

Cons:

1. The true cost

Buying Cheap colorful clothes may seem better on the wallet, but they wear out quickly, and most people aren't buying quality clothes. Plus one your child gets older and starts liking specific characters the price tends to go up, and many kids clothes companies (not even gonna say fashion) are just lazy

1. Overstimulation

Too much color in the environment and on the child may be overstimulating and i believe clothes are an expression of one's self, i don't think there is much self expression present in current kids clothes.

Moms for neutrality

The argument for neutral clothing and natural colors tends to be based on aesthetic preference and the general disdain for what's considered kids fashion and the lack of a better option.

Pros:

1. Poloraziation

Neutral clothing is also gender neutral while there tends to be more polarizing views on attaching certain colors to each gender and it's hard to stray from that as a society. And lets be honest girls clothes has a serious leg up in. Cuteness factor.

1. From Washington to Trump

Neutral colors are timeless through the years, making hand me downs easier. There is no change in fad or a new character popping up..or an old character reimagined (cough Disney).

1. Match or Mix

Neutral pieces make it simple to create a cohesive wardrobe, reducing decision fatigue for parents during busy mornings. Although i am a fan of a good monochrome moment.

Cons:

1. Gougers

Because the trend is popular especially among influencers these neutral brands can effectively raise prices with little competition or complaint. As well as not finding affordable options in person as easy and shipping blind online at the mercy of influencer “reviews”.

1. Perception is reality

The aesthetic choice for more neutral clothing can be seen as restrictive and selfish in the eyes of others, some may admonish you for your choice. Although it is ultimately up to whether you care.

Where can we go from here?

Ultimately how you dress, or raise your kids is your business and no one else's. Do you boo boo. But if you are looking for a better option my company Roots and Rivets aims to make clothes that both kids and children can love.

Tasteful Color

Roots and Rivets aims to creates closet staples that are timeless and provide a meeting point for mothers and children. Pops of color and motifs that draw children's intrigue and is cute and Instagram worthy.

No more Hard Pants

We miss a good classic 100% cotton denim jean 👖. We aim to bring back the good ol classic American aesthetic for our children while providing a Sustainable impact on the environment

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