My Gracie has an eclectic sense of style. To my chagrin, it’s a lot like my little sister’s.

Have I ever mentioned that my sister’s clothing choices have been embarrassing me for 28 years? She’s, uh, creative, and Grace is just the same.

One morning, a few weeks ago, Grace insisted on wearing an Elmo t-shirt from her last birthday and a pair of red sweat pants to school. That wouldn’t have been a problem except that her birthday was 10 months ago and the sweat pants were 2 sizes too big. The t-shirt creeped up over her chubby baby belly and the sweatpants creeped down over her puny hiney. I was too flustered to take a picture, so you’ll have to use your imagination.

I don’t bother to fight with Grace about her clothes. Passersby can tell that I’m dressed nicely; they probably understand that she did it herself.

Another issue we have is excess. Not excess jewelry or excess clothing, but excess patterns. Grace likes bright colors and bright patterns. Being the flamboyant fashionista that I am, I appreciate this taste. However. I don’t usually wear my bright patterns all at the same time.

Grace’s wild style is not limited to clothes. She chooses her accessories with the same reckless abandon. Yesterday, she chose a fancy purple jacket to complement her red puppy dog pajamas. Insisting on a hat, she found her dad’s checkered Penn State cap to complete the ensemble.

Another time, Grace chose a blue and white Tot Toppers hat to finish a flowery purple outfit. I thought I was safe that time because it’s an outfit. Top matches pants; can not mismatch.

She mismatched it.

I don’t know if she follows her own rules or if she just ignores the rules all together. Or maybe she doesn’t comprehend that there are rules just yet. Or maybe she’s just so excited to know that she has completed an outfit that she forgets to check and see what it looks like.

My mom says that if Grace likes all of the parts of the outfit, she assumes it looks good all together.

Once in a while, Grace lets me help with the dressing.  I like those days; they’re less stressful for Momma.

When she lets me help, I usually reach for a bright shirt from The Children’s Place. They can be dangerous because they doesn’t match anything but her big girl blue jeans.

But could she be any cuter? I doubt it.

Another photo, another dangerously bright top from The Children’s Place. I love this orange shirt, and I wish it had come in my size, too.

However. It matches black pants, brown pants, and blue jeans. Why do I do that to myself?

Gorgeously bright shirts plus toddler independence plus the need to learn to dress oneself equals fashion disaster for us most days.

It’s my own fault. I love bright colors and patterns, and I will continue to buy them for her. Hopefully, some day, she’ll grow out of her need to put them all together at the same time.

Don’t forget to stop back on Thursday for Grace’s Kitchen!