On numerous occasions there has been discussion on here about girliness, pinkness, gender definition through clothing, and more specifically, the notion that girls only wear pink, and on some occasions I have lamented the fact that Pia gets called a boy – a fact I know does not waver irrespective of whether she is wearing all pink and frills or not. Many of you have pointed out to me that, indeed, it wouldn’t make any difference and that she will probably continue to be called a boy till she has long hair and her hair is pulled back with cute little clips. It is true that we don’t subscribe to the typical girly baby conforms of pink, lavender or embroidered flowers on everything. It is true we don’t have pink sheets, blankets or stroller things. But that doesn’t mean I don’t achieve some femininity for Pia – there is always something she is wearing which defines her as a girl (well, most of the time). Since she started getting (very) mobile, and standing up and crawling around, I have felt the need to perhaps venture into the unknown realm of The Skirt. I could, perhaps, fashion a nice little skirt, with structure, out of some fabrics, which would stop all those people calling her a boy. Surely a little red skirt, with little red squirrels on it, would scream Little Girl? Surely all the sales assistants, all those mothers at the park, all those other children, would see she was dressed in lovely cashmere of the finest quality, and cute Japanese fabrics….they would all rush to call her a girl.
Apparently not.
[Red cashmere courtesy of Blossom. Red squirrel fabric from Superbuzzy. Grey knit Fold Top 6.5st]
hello!
i love the colours you dress your baby girl in - they are beautiful, classic and perfect for baby spills. although i do love all manner of pink and blushing colours, i also hope not to join the pink brigade if i ever have a little miss.
i really love your writing, and sorry it has taken so long for me to say hi.
Posted by: Deborah | August 15, 2007 at 02:38 PM