Cowboy Boots with Running Pants and Red Socks

Fashion. This is a topic that I am completely unqualified to talk about. I have never had a sense of fashion. Never. I have lots of childhood photos to prove this statement. Some days I still violate the rules of fashion. I have a very basic idea of what looks good together. It is minimal -- just enough to avoid funny looks at the grocery store, but nowhere close to being worthy of a runway. My wardrobe is primarily practical.

But I do know that cowboy boots do not go with running pants. And I have tried to impress that tidbit of knowledge on my children. But it isn't sticking.

Many times I have told Emily that tennis shoes really complete the look with her running pants -- running pants that are now running capris but that she refuses to part with. So, imagine too-short running pants with cowboy boots. Sometimes she heeds my advice on this matter. A lot of the time she doesn't.

Today I realized that this strange fashion bug has infected our second daughter as we showed up to a volleyball game and she was wearing pink cowboy boots with green fleece pants. It was a statement.

And, our sweet Eli. If I ever ask him to pick out a pair of socks on his own it will ALWAYS be a red pair. Regardless of what he is wearing because he is completely unaware that an outfit is supposed to coordinate, or at least be in the same galaxy regarding style and color. He just likes red socks! And, no matter what occasion, he wants his basketball shoes. The soles are falling off and I have glued them many times, and he still wants these shoes.

There are days that these fashion statements make me cringe. And then I stop and remind myself that these are the insignificant details in raising children. So, we choose to focus on ensuring that their attire is appropriate for the activity they are participating in, instead of what is aesthetically appealing. Our focus should be more on building morals and values in our children rather than how nicely they are dressed.


"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”     1 Samuel 16:7b