A Woman in her Thirties is a Slave to Fashion

I have spent much of my life in what I like to call 'Target-chic' attire. Blame ten years of Catholic school uniforms and a lifetime of two older sisters' hand-me-downs. Or blame my tendency toward cheap and comfortable, especially in the shoe department (thank you, Dankso!). Either way, my closet consists of seven pairs of yoga pants, every shirt that has ever gone on sale at Banana Republic, and not a single skirt or skinny jean. A woman in her thirties snooze-fest.

Maybe that's why, when I found out I was having a girl, I was able to restrain myself when it came to buying her cutesy clothes. With only one exception, I did not go clothes shopping for Anna before she was born. Even now, when I find myself browsing the racks at Baby Gap, I gravitate toward sweatshirts and easy-to-snap onesies. A woman in her thirties is practical, and while I may not be the fashionista my friends are, I've got the pragmatic aspect of this decade down pat.

I know now that something happens when a woman in her thirties gets pregnant with a girl, something to the people around her. Because even though every person in my life knows that I would rather scrub toilets all afternoon than wear high heels, my baby girl got some cutesy stuff that I would never buy in a million years. Here's a a peek:

Exhibit A: Frill-a-poloozaA neighbor gave Anna this outfit. I don't know what to say, other than she wore this to church and pooped through the tights by the first reading. So... I'm guessing the cow motif isn't her thing.

Exhibit B: Ummm, excuse me. It's designer.

I'm not going to lie and say I knew when I saw this little outfit that Kissy-Kissy was a fancy Nordstrom brand. H had to tell me. But I will tell you that Anna has enough Ralph Lauren for me to tell you that the brand runs kinda small for babies. I'll be able to tell you about Burberry, when Anna wears her designer swimsuit from Grandma and Grandpa this summer. That's right. A Burberry swimsuit for a six month old.

Exhibit C: Costume Wear
I totally get that it is adorable to dress up little kids for Halloween, but Anna has a costume for every occasion. Particularly the snow, which is hardly an 'occasion' here in Pleasantville. Either way, Anna has braved the cold as a dinosaur, a flower, and a teddy bear. Among other things.

Exhibit D: Accessorizing
When it comes to accessories, I wear a watch and my wedding rings. If that. I don't own a single belt or headband. Anna, however, has more than her share. And while I tend not to put anything on her head unless... well, I tend not to... her socks are my weakness. Her red Trumpettes are my favorite. If Gap made these in my size (buy one get one free), I'd wear them.

I never thought I'd say this, but even though I may or may not be wearing jeans that should be retired to the great clearance rack in the sky, I love dressing up my girl. Even when it's in something I'd never buy for her myself. Even if it's in something she might look back at one day and say, 'Aw, Mom!' A women in her thirties knows that, in the end, her job will be to help her daughter become the person she wants to be, regardless of how she chooses to look. Until then, I'll be on the lookout for baby Danskos, just in case.