So you’ve heard me harp on about dressing kids and you’ve seen my favourite seasonal picks for kids clothes (fall, winter, spring & summer).. but I recently read a post that posed an important question. When it comes to dressing kids: Do you find your kids are an extension of you, or do you dress them completely different?

Too often I see very stylish Moms walking around with their kids wearing tragic outfits and I wonder, did they have their eyes clothes when they purchased their kids clothes? Do they spend all their money on their outfits, but make their own kids look ridiculous? Alternatively, I know parents who have very little money and yet still purchase first-hand, reasonably expensive clothes for their kids in an effort to feel like they’re providing the best for their kids – when we all know that a) kids wear through their clothes soo quickly and b) all kids really want from us is food when they want it, good amounts of sleep when they’re tired and unconditional love, patience, attention and affection – a $20 t-shirt, who cares?!

Having pondered over this question, I thought to myself, am I one of the above parents either spending too much or too little attention and money on my kids clothing. I turned to my wardrobe that consists of a few expensive pairs of jeans, purses and jewellery, a ton of cheap shoes and the rest: thrifted and swapped items in reasonably good condition. And then I wandered over to the boys room and viewed their closet: a couple of good pairs of Gap, Zara and H&M pants and shirts, expensive European shoes I’d purchased on consignment and then a lot of 2nd hand, consigned and laundry room giveaways. So, pat on the back SSM, I do practise what I preach! I feel like my kids and the way they dress is an extension of myself and the way I view clothing!

My Monkeys recently: #1 wears hand-me-down Zara shirt, Old Navy skinnies (on sale) and Crocs (gifted) and #2 wears thrifted shirt, hand-me-down sweatpants and laundry room rainboots…..