Dad Advice: When Should Kids Be Allowed to Pick Out Their Own Clothes?

I’m a huge proponent of autonomy in kids as well as affording them a self-directed life from a very young age.

I figure that it is better to teach them decision making skills when the risks of failure are low. Clothing is something my two daughters have had pretty much complete control over from the beginning of their toddler days, if not younger, but I know that others may have differing opinions on the matter. We recently surveyed the group of dads on our Facebook page to find out. Here’s where guys stand on the issue of kids developing their own fashion sense.

Joshua S BenShushan: Since they developed the ability to point…. WTF It’s their choose not yours. Unless you brought kids to this world just so you can wear them as accessories from the swiss avenue ……
Give them options at least.

Vivian Roos: I have a hard time with this because I like my son to Match and look cute all the time even at home, even with pjs. I’m a preschool teacher and I know the benefits of it all. I always encourage parents to let their kids dress themselves (for me though it’s hard) but whatever they choose to wear no matter how mis matches the outfit is.. you tell them it looks great! You let them go out in public and you say how great they lookS it helps them build confidence, independence, self worth, and so much more. The only time you should dress them is if you are going to a place where they actually have to look decent. But you don’t tell them that, you just say, I’m going to pick your clothes today.

Michael Sharp: [Age] 4-5.. whenever they can dress themselves. You control what clothes they have, so if there is something you don’t want them to wear anymore, take it out of their wardrobe or cupboards. Simple stuff.

Amin Nehmeh: The more decision power you give your kids the more you help them make decisions! Important life lesson!

Regarding clothes, as soon as possible, as long as it’s not shorts when it’s -10c outside so common sense prevails from the grown up after all!

Mike Washuck: Mines not even two yet and she tells us a whole lot more than what she wants to wear. What to eat, where she wants to go that day, what is best for her 10 month old brother. What car we should drive. Yada yada yada self expression is a wonderful thing.

Scott Szorcsik: Depends on the event.

If the 3-year-old wants to go to preschool dressed like she’s headed to a Yo Gabba Gabba open casting call, I’m probably OK with that.

For Gam-gam’s funeral? I think the parents will handle that one.

Dale Morris: My twins are 5 and pick their own clothes, but I have been out with one who got it right and the other was dressed in a costume that made her appear to be riding a dinosaur, so you win some lose some!

Rick Fulton: Any age as long as it is weather appropriate, and culturally appropriate if their is a special occasion. They will tend to self regulate based on changes in taste and peer comments. Latter modesty is wise , so as not to be a distraction in the classroom. That is also why we limit our children’s expression of free speech (on clothing) later as well. Out of respect for the teaching environment questionable words or pictures are a distraction in the classroom.

Michael Woodby: As soon as they have reasoning powers….

Your child is a person.

Even as a toddler, they deserve basic human rights, like what they want to wear.

I mean, you need to teach them how to choose basic outfits, but let them go from there.

Looks like few parents try to be strict with kid clothes choices, which is as it should be!

Do you disagree, tell us why on Facebook.

Flickr photo by Juhan Sonin, used under Creative Commons license.