Brylee has taught me a thing or two about fashion. Okay, so she brings to light all sorts of things surprising for a five-year-old. Fashion just happens to be an area she is a natural while I... well, I often just don't care. (Except, of course, for versatile pieces like this striped dress or these skinny jeans and white tee.)
That said, her favorite outfit last year was a pair of skinny jeans and a black shirt. This seemed plain compared to all the other fun colors in her closet, so I asked her why these were her favorites.
Her response?
"Because of the ruffles and the buttons."
She was, of course, referring to the ruffles along the bottom and sleeves of the black shirt, and the sparkly button accents on both the shirt and the jeans. Just the right details was all that mattered to her.
She also loves tutus and fluffy skirts, and anything that moves right when she twirls. Her favorite color is pink, and she always notices when I'm wearing earrings or a necklace. (What little girl doesn't?)
But more than passing on her fancy tastes in fashion, I've learned a bit from her on simplifying. Mainly because beyond a little ruffle and a couple sparkly buttons, she's content.
She rocks pink leggings with a big hole in the knee and a too-small denim dress with a paint stain on the bottom ruffles. Not because we're overdue to go shopping (although I'm not denying that), but because it's her favorite. This outfit combines her love for ruffles, pink, and swishy dresses. And, hey, she needed to get dressed this morning and this little outfit did the job.
Okay, so that simplicity probably won't fly for long. After all, when she starts kindergarten in the fall I'm sure there will be some observant little kid that will be quick to point out her pants have a hole in the knee or that she's worn the same outfit (her favorite) twice this week. (Or maybe she'll be that blessed kid for some other kind soul.)
As much as possible, I hope she won't lose her personal flair for fashion on her own terms. This is what keeps fashion simple.
Keeping up with fashion mags, stars, our BFFs or that perfect girl we sometimes stalk online (who, me? never.), well, it's just exhausting. It causes us to lose ourselves, and grow a closet of things that we won't be taking with us into eternity. (And maybe some clothes that shouldn't even be taken into the next decade.)
Most of all, I pray she'll keep that contentment smothered in thankfulness for what she's been provided. Not just sans complaints, but with a cheerful heart.
A beautifully cheerful heart.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. | 1 Tim. 6:6-8>>>>>
This month I'm sharing simplicity, simplified. See the full list of posts here, and join me in not over-thinking it.
linked up with: the modest mom
