For The Particular Mother

Once again, from the April 1917 issue of Good Housekeeping.  And once again, I adore the hats!  Though I do particularly favor the outfit in the very center of the advertisement as well.

And I find it rather refreshing to see clothing that is sensibly styled for "small" daughters.  Which, in my opinion, is any female aged 2 through 15.  I get so disgusted when I look at the advertisements for "children's" clothing in modern day magazines.  Push up bikini tops, low cut jeans, barely there mini skirts, etc.  And this is being marketed to girls who are 8-12 years old!

I don't wish to offend anyone who disagrees with me, but, I'm sorry, children should dress like children - not a 30 year old! My momma and daddy had a rule that any child of theirs would submit to "inspection" before leaving the house, whether we were going to a football game, a school dance, or a slumber party at a friend's house.  Daddy's biggest gripes were unpressed clothing and ragged blue jeans.  Momma's biggest concern was the length of our dresses and skirts.  Many times my sisters and I were told to kneel on our knees in the family room.  If, while kneeling, our skirt/dress hems didn't touch the floor, back upstairs we were sent and told to change into something more appropriate.

Obviously, I don't have a daughter so I don't need to worry about dress lengths, push up bikini tops, etc.  But I have laid down the law to Pierce on his appearance at times.  Saggy jeans, with the crotch hanging down to the knees, are absolutely not allowed!  I told him if he wanted everyone to see his underwear, he could just forgo pants altogether!  T-shirts, ball caps, etc. with inappropriate slogans are also forbidden in this house.  My rule is:  if he wouldn't say it in front of his grandmother or our pastor, it will not be worn!  Thankfully, as he grows older, he is in complete agreement with me on the subject of clothing.

Sadly though, my attitude is not the norm in our area.  I cringe when I see what some of Pierce's acquaintances are wearing when I see them about town (and in Houses of Worship as well)! I may be out of sync with the times and hopelessly out of fashion.  But you know what? I don't really care!