Big C modeling a cravat at the Newell K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, Ohio.
It has happened. My tweenager has crossed that threshold from being totally fine with his mom picking out and buying all of his clothes to having a say in what he's wearing.
It all started a few weeks ago when the weather got warmer and Big C started wearing some of his clothes from the early fall of last year. Everything was too short or too tight or just small in weird ways. Shirts, pants, shorts - all of it ill-fitting and wrong. I suggested that maybe I should buy him some new clothes, to which he said, "No, mom, that's okay."
I was confused. Did he want to wear highwaters and tight t-shirts? Did he not care that his shorts were a bit snug on the bum side? I had to investigate further.
It turns out that "No, mom" really means please don't buy me any more button down polos from The Gap or sports t-shirts from Target or Old Navy.
What "No, mom" means is I want to fit in and wear what everyone else is wearing, but I'm embarassed that I'll hurt your feelings by telling you that you've been dressing me like an elementary schooler for the past six months.
What "No, mom" means is that Big C is wanting to up his coolness factor by caring about fashion just enough to nonchalantly give a few pointers to his mom on name brands (gasp!) and styles that are currently acceptable with the middle school crowd: namely, that boys wear a lot of Under Armor brand shirts and basketball shorts or that anything from Aeropostale would be "cool".
Wow. I am really out of it.
We sat down at the Aeropostale website and found some t-shirts at decent sale prices. He is also now the proud owner multiple pairs of basketball shorts, which when paired with a t-shirt make him look like - well - like he's going to play basketball. He is well on his way to looking cooler.
In my mind, however, he's been cool all along. It doesn't take clothes. It just takes being a great kid. And Big C has got that down!
10 comments:
I'm going through the same thing with Addy but the store that's cool in the 4th grade here is Justice and I can't handle all the paint splattered and peace-sign clothing. It reminds me of the 80's when I used to like the same ugly stuff. :)
Oh the COOL FACTOR has hit and once it does it never seems to leave.
Don't we all want to be COOL?
I know I want to be a COOL mom, COOL friend, COOL sister, COOL Mema just an over all COOL lady. It's a lot of work trying to be COOL but don't most of us keep trying?
Chris has been COOL since the day he was born and so are you.
They don't wear pants in middle school just BB shorts, I'm not sure that's Cool?!
OH...welcome to my world! Andrew finally had to start pitching in a little $$$$ to support his fashion lifestyle! Under Armour is a staple in our home as well as Aeropostle. :-) Kohls has great deals on teen clothes...hit them up. AVOID THE BUCKLE at all cost. NOT CHEAP!!!!
That would be Aeropostale!!!
A healthy form of independence. And what's cool is that you can shop on line. Guys don't usually want to be dragged to a clothing store by their mom (or wife for that matter).
I'm sure I'll hit that stage with Gibson in no time! You are a cool Mom!!
I still think you are cool.
I'm so glad we have to wear uniforms!
Big C sounds like a really great young man! And I think it was so smart of you take the virtual shopping route. Go Samantha! You are the coolest Mom!
I recently experienced this scene with my 11 yr old who thinks he is going on 14. He only wants to wear basketball shorts and I think they are too casual for school, but when I see 100 other boys wearing them I guess it's the cool thing to look like you just rolled out. He won't wear collared shirts anymore either! On a brighter note I made a double batch of "The Boyfriend Cookies" today and we are all happily eating them right now! They are delicious and you are the best!
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