better
FAMILY
“Did I mention that
iiv parents want me
to dress nice even if
They make me weai
a collared shirt !”
VESTED INTERESTS
“Your kid loves the skull
trend, but you hate it? Find a
compromise. Look for a
more abstract incarnation, or
allow it on one item only,
and meet in the middle.”
Puffer vest, Old Navy, $30; at
Old Navy stores
CATE AND SON JAY,
10
, LIVE IN
WINDHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
CATE:
“Jay is in a skater phase, so a
T-shirt layered under a casual button-
front shirt, or a polo with tattoo
printing, is the current compromise to
‘look nice/1 personally draw the line at
skulls. I used to buy my kids clothes
before they grew into them, catching
them on sale and just hanging them in
the closet. Then suddenly the ‘must-
have’ tees weren’t cool.”
LIVING COLOR
“If black is your child’s color
of choice, don’t fight it. Allow
one black item as a ‘security*
item (like jeans or a tee),
then ask him to add an item
of your choosing” Plaid
button-down, Arizona by
JCPenney, $12; at JCPenney
stores
JAY:
“My favorite outfit is jeans with a
T-shirt and skater shirt layered, black
low-top socks, and my black suede
shoes. I like black or dark stuff best
My dad wears khaki pants and dress
shoes—kind of like a suit-and-tie-ish
look. But that look just doesn’t roll
with my style!” tfS)
DO THE MATH
“Consider allowing your child
to purchase trend-driven
items with his money. This
way, he’ll learn the true cost
of those designer jeans.”
Classic-fit jeans, $17,
The Children's Place;
thechildrensplace.com
SHOE-IN
“Sneakers are often a part
of a child’s uniform. To
change it up without an
argument, try a dressier
pair.” Jazz sneakers,
Saucony, $30; shoes.com
2 3 6
SEPTEMBER
2010
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
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