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SmackDown: Should Kids Wear Skinny Jeans?
Filed under: Opinions
Are skinny jeans for kids a denim do or don't? Illustration by Christopher Healy
Skinny Jeans for Kids Aren't Cool.
by Amy HatchLast time I checked, my daughter's back-to-school shopping list didn't include "items that can help put her self-esteem in the basement," and that's why we'll skip the skinny jeans this year.
When I saw the Wall Street Journal story on skinny jeans for toddlers, I had that "smack the forehead" moment. The story even shows with a graphic how the jeans are designed to "closely mimic the shape and style" of their adult counterpart, the denim trend that has so many women squeezing themselves into a dark-wash sausage casing.
In the interest of full disclosure, let me first say that I am one of those women -- I own not one, but two pairs of skinny jeans. But here's the thing: I am a fully- grown woman who has had 39 years to grapple with -- and come to terms with -- the notion of her own body image.
I'm not a 5-year-old girl like my own daughter, who is not a stick-thin baby waif, but instead has a muscular physique. She's beautiful, healthy and strong, and -- for the moment, anyways -- blissfully unaware that the rest of the Western world sees her as flawed. Not to mention that I'm disinclined to dress her like a miniature hootchie mama. It's bad enough that I can barely find a pair of jeans for her that doesn't ride so low that her underwear shows.
Now, she also has to contend with the fact she already doesn't fit the societal label of "skinny."
According to the Media Research Network, the research group Anorexia Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders Inc. found that one out of every four college-age women has engaged in unhealthy methods of weight control, including skipping meals, excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, fasting and laxative abuse.
That number is staggeringly high. And now, we are starting even our toddlers off with the idea that they can -- and should -- sport the label of "skinny." The idea that they're just kids and that the message won't be absorbed is misguided at best and, at it's worst, dangerous. Any parent of a toddler can tell you that kids understand a lot more than we give them credit for.
And just why are we making clothing for little kids that mimics what adults wear? So often we bemoan the fact that our children, especially our girls, are growing up so much more quickly than ever before. We worry about teen sexuality, pregnancy and the objectification of our young women as nothing but sex objects, and then we set about creating a piece of clothing --for babies, no less -- that is designed for maximum sex appeal on adults.
We're hypocrites, too, pointing fingers at celebrity kids like Suri Cruise and her high heels, tsk-ing and judging her famous parents for decking her out like a miniature grown-up, and then we turn around and do the the exact same thing. The only difference is that we don't have to contend with the paparazzi.
Besides that, what ever happened to dressing kids like kids? I'm no puritan, and I love fashion-forward duds. I'm not advocating a return to Peter Pan collars and ankle-length skirts, but outfitting children in the exact image of adults and then expecting them not to adopt a precocious attitude makes no sense.
Recently, a major women's retailer was caught with their Photoshop showing, when an unedited image of a model showed up on their website next to the edited one. In the second, doctored photograph, the beautiful model's body was altered drastically to make her appear almost painfully thin. Women expressed their outrage over the image, taking the business to task for perpetuating the beauty myth in such a severe and obvious way.
Dressing babies and toddlers in skinny jeans does the exact same thing -- it sends a message, both to our children and to those who market to them -- that that you can never be too thin.
And that is just not cool.
Skinny Jeans Are Just Cute Jeans, People.
by Lesley KennedyI'm not gonna lie. I love shopping for my kids even more than I love shopping for myself. Cute headbands. Cute shoes. Cute dresses. Cute shorts. And, let's cut to the chase here: Cute skinny jeans.
Oh, I said it. Skinny jeans on kids are not too grown-up, they're not inappropriate and they don't send the wrong message. They're just cute. Like, really cute. And I'm not about to stop buying them because folks are balling their fists up and shaking them in air -- positively outraged that the popular denim trend has trickled its way down to the tot market.
"You're making 5-year-olds body-conscious!" they cry. "How dare you make my little girl worry about being skinny so soon!" they bemoan.
Please. My daughters, ages 5 and 3, are not concerned about their weight. They don't know what a diet is. They certainly aren't wondering if their butts look big when they pick out their clothes each morning. And let's talk about how "skinny" these jeans actually even are: I don't know about your kids, but slim-cut styles still hang off my girls and need to be belted to stay up most of the time.
My 5-year-old, a fashionista in training, goes from uber-girlie princess to copying iCarly to skateboard chic -- all in the course of one afternoon.
My 3-year-old? If it's not a dress, she won't wear it. But, occasionally, I'll convince her to wear pants underneath, and, seriously, if there's anything more adorable than a little girl wearing a dress over slim-cut jeans, I've yet to come across it.
You see, for kids, skinny jeans are simply jeans. They have absolutely nothing to do with sexiness or weight or body image, but everything to do with skateboard culture, comfort and -- yep -- looking cute.
And it's not just a girl thing. Skinny jeans are the must-have denim for boys today, too. But do you worry about boys becoming bulimic because of their jeans? No, you just send them off in their cool pants and Vans slip-ons and smile at their good fashion sense.
I think it's the name "skinny jeans" that gets people riled up. Thank goodness designers didn't decide to dub their latest versions of this style that's been around for decades "cigarette pants," as they were called when Audrey Hepburn and Sandra Dee wore them in the '50s and '60s -- can you imagine the outrage?
Because if it's not the name, shouldn't leggings stir up the same sort of anger? Did folks go crazy when girls started wearing them again in recent years with ... well, practically everything? They're certainly more form-fitting than skinny jeans, but they're totally accepted.
I bet if skinny jeans were called "skater jeans" people would see them for what they really are: slim-cut denim that's trendy and cool, super fun when done in bright colors and offered in a unisex silhouette.
When I see my kids in skinny jeans, I'm not thinking Lindsay Lohan -- I'm thinking Lindsey Vaughn. Skateboarders, BMX riders and other X-Games and Olympians have worn skinny jeans for years because, not only do they look good, they stretch and they are easy to move around in. Also, since they fit close to the body, there's no need to worry about baggy pants getting caught in spokes or wheels.
Fashion with function? Sounds like the perfect combo for kids' clothing to me.
Look, your daughter is not going to turn into Britney Spears just because she picks out a slim-cut pair of jeans. And, if you hate the trend, haven't you figured out that if you just sit back for five minutes, those five-sizes-too-big baggy jeans belted way down around the hips -- or, heaven forbid, the stonewashed pleated and tight-rolled styles I wore as a kid -- will soon be back in style?
Now, when that happens, you'll really have something to complain about.
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ReaderComments (Page 2 of 14)
8-20-2010 @ 7:38PM
sandy said...This whole discusssion about kids' clothes is inane! haven't you something better to do ---like count how many grains of sugar are in a teaspoon?
8-20-2010 @ 6:02PM
wowsham said...Trish, you're crying over spilled milk! Skinny Jeans are just jeans by a different name! I thought they were just called that because they hug your legs more, BUT ALL FEMALE JEANS DO THAT. . . Jeans made for men are more baggy. In the end, jeans are jeans.
8-18-2010 @ 7:20PM
Susen said...My issue is that clothing meant for adults and older girls is being funneled down to little kids...why can't we allow kids to just be kids?
Reply
8-20-2010 @ 2:37PM
Renee Phillips said...What's this something new? Adult styles have always come down the line to childrens. Just don't make the child look foolish in a style that's not becoming.
8-20-2010 @ 3:05PM
Michael Faircloth said...Um... take your own advice! "why can't we allow kids to just be kids?" I agree- but that should mean to allow them to wear whatever clothes they want! Why does it matter the name of the styles they are wearing? If the kid is happy in the clothes he or she is wearing, why is it wrong that the clothes are made in adult sizes? Yes. Let's let kids be kids. Let's focus less on the politics of clothes for crying out loud and let's focus mor on letting them play, learn, and laugh. Ugh, people can be so annoying.
8-20-2010 @ 9:54PM
carole said...Everyone is so quick to assume we are buying "skinny jeans" to make the kids look grown up or sexy. I buy skinny jeans for my daughter because they are they are the only jeans that fit her. She is 9 yrs old,very tall and super thin. These jeans are the only ones that dont fall down on her. She wears skinny jeans and slims in order to keep them up. Lets dont try to make the moms of super skinny girls feel feel like we are doing something to damage our children.....
8-20-2010 @ 4:54PM
redsoxgirl said...Seriously??? I thought "skinny" jean referred to the jeans cut. They get "skinny" at the bottom. Just like "bell bottom" jeans referred to the cut of the jeans belling out at the bottom. Kids get that, why don't the adults?
8-19-2010 @ 12:52PM
aimee.salyer said...Let's be honest skinny jeans are meant for thin people. They don't start making slim pants until about size four, so I am very happy that they are making skinny jeans for younger children.
As the pro-skinny jeans commenter pointed out, skinny jeans still fall off thin kids even with a belt. My three year old son, normally needs to wear a size down to have skinny jeans fit him properly. His size 2-3 H&M skinny jeans will probably still fit him when he is 5!
I think the anti-skinny jeans commenter has issues with skinny jeans because, as she pointed out her child does not have the body type to wear them. It is very sad that she has such issues about her daughter's body type, which I'm sure is rubbing off on her daughter.
In conclusion, skinny jeans are a great option for thin children. I am just happy that my son now has jeans to wear that actually fit him!
Reply
8-20-2010 @ 2:26PM
kryssykreme said...I absolutely agree with Aimee. I have a 12 year old who is about the size of an 8 year old, so he is kind of small for his age. But 7th graders are wearing skinny jeans and like most kids they want to wear clothes that are in style. If they didn't make the jeans for the smaller guys he would not be able to stay with the trend. We have to remember that all kids are not the same size as others in their age group so this helps. Now for the children who are larger there are so many other options. straight legs on larger children can pass as skinny jeans. Unless you want to do like I did when I was a kid, we used to sew up the bottom of the pants and make our own skinny jeans.LOL I say Just teach your child to wear clothes flattering to your childs body. If they don't fight you too much. :)
8-20-2010 @ 2:46PM
lightenmd89 said...Did you actually read what you wrote? You just said that skinny jeanare made for thin people. How is that not going to cause a child to have body issues when they cant fit into skinny because they aren't thin. How do you think that child will feel once they notice they can't wear what their thin friends can? Did you not notice that you just proved the arguement for the anti-skinny jeans people?
8-20-2010 @ 2:18PM
eika said...my 6 yr old daughter is very pettite and it is hard to find jeans that fit her. I found skinny jeans in slim and they fit her well. I have tried all brands of pants and I am happy they came out with this style for toddlers. If you don't care for skinny jeans then don't purchase them, but don't judge those who do.
Reply
8-20-2010 @ 2:16PM
j said...Skinny jeans on girls? If only that's where the problem ended. At least skinny jeans are a feminine fashion. The problem is that we've got BOYS wearing these things, and parents are ALLOWING IT!
Reply
8-20-2010 @ 2:39PM
kryssykreme said...It's a fad just like studded gloves , biker shorts, spiked hair, colored hair,minnie skirts, leg warmers, bell bottoms, leggings, stir ups, afros, dread locks, etc. Fads are what they are, an expression of self, it is ok to be you. If skinny jeans is what your 5,6,10,12,16,20 year old wants to wear in good taste of course, that fit them appropriately of course, I don't see the problem with it.
8-20-2010 @ 3:33PM
Julie said...They are better than those huge jeans falling off the boys' asses!
8-20-2010 @ 7:34PM
Mindy said...So? Why is that a big deal? First, the jeans are only called such because they taper at the leg. They get "skinny" below the knee, rather than wider, like bell bottom. They are NOT made exclusively for thin people - they make "skinny" jeans in big sizes, like up into the 20s. No idea how they'd look on someone that size, can't say that I've seen them.
Anyway, why on earth is it a big deal for boys to where them? Don't you remember the Beatles? Peg-leg pants and long hair - and parents then were having their own hissy fit. And still we all grew up, most of us into relatively normal people. Long before the Beatles, when my dad was a kid, they wore "skinny" jeans.
I have a feeling I know what you are insinuating by your "bad for boys!" comment, but I won't put words in your mouth. You tell us - just don't find it appealing, or is it a bigger problem for you?
8-20-2010 @ 2:17PM
Kate said...Skinny jeans are just jeans that are more slimmer at the bottom vs. straight cut or boot.
Reply
8-20-2010 @ 2:18PM
Jake said...I think skinny should not be worn by little girls. Or men for that matter. Today's fashion for youth is tacky! Most of the clothes I see kids and teens wear on the ads look gaudy.
Reply
8-20-2010 @ 3:23PM
Mindy said...Jake, I'm a 50 yr. old mom with a teenager and a tween. Do you know how many generations have said that "kids today dress so tacky!"
It's just more of the same. The "skinny" simply means that the jeans fit closely from the knee down. Not that big a deal.
And I say that as a woman who had serious body image issues for many years - and it did NOT come from my clothing choices or my peers.
8-20-2010 @ 2:21PM
gatitameli said...Honestly i think that this mom is taking the skinny jean trend way too seriously. They're jeans that look cuter, to some people, than boot cut jeans. They're pants, they aren't meant to show of body parts or to show how skinny you are, all they do is enhance an outfit. And skinny jeans for little girls don't even fit that tight, they are more loose fitting than skinny fitting if you get the right size. Geesh, why does everyone have to make everything seem so bad these days.
Reply
8-20-2010 @ 2:32PM
mother of 2 said...Before children get to make self judgement someone somewhere has already made it for them whether its outsiders or not the 1st statement of judgement toward the child(ren) is made by the parent(s). WE pick out their clothing for them, WE choose their 1st set of friends(making play dates), WE also make choices for them when it comes to schools either it be jr high -high school. During the early years is understanable but when theyve reached their identity peak in their lives i feel WE as a the parent(s) should sit back, not be lazy or not interested, just watch your child blossom into the person THEY wanna become and be there to guide them and help them along their journey thru life and all its changes. Just think about how your parent(s) were with you during your adolescent years and may still be all because they never let you be you. Never scar your child(s) image of life becuas of your unhealed wounds.
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