The most stylish 8 year old ever!

[chanteuseCarey]

(raising my hand) uh, yeah that'd be moi... I said I had Matt's and Magnoli's #s, but what we ain't got is that kid's parents' money! Don't I wish... Right now Daniel has just one real vintage shirt (the US navy one). Nothin' vintage fits him at this age.

Sewing once again (vintage patterns) may be my best answer for Daniel, since DH is out of a job and I'm looking for one myself.

Truth be known, right now keeping our house (the only place Daniel has ever lived), as a roof over our Daniel's sweet head (and sister Sarah's too) is far more important priority to me right now than clothes can ever be.

Imagine a child having a desire to dress with individuality and retro flair, and his parents indulging him, because young children don't have the money or the resources to do so on their own. No, there's no one like that on this forum, is there...?

 

[chanteuseCarey]

FleurDG, I have been thinking about this comment ever since I read it here.

I have been humbled by what you have said, and to much degree ashamed.

Perhaps I really am no different...

I can of course, justify what we do here with and for Daniel by saying I am raising him to be the only romantic and true gentleman of his generation- teaching and instilling in him the virtues and styles of the eras gone by.

We take him with a us to concerts, old movies and ballroom dancing. He volunteers with the California Pops Orchestra and the Art Deco Society- we all do. We associate him with groups such as the BAMHRS, and is their youngest member ever. He was asked specifically to join their group, along with my husband Chuck after members first met Daniel at the Yosemite Art Deco weekend event.

He doesn't have an ipod, nintendo, an email or a myspace acct. He wants to be a Pastor when he grows up. He's a good and cooperative student and doesn't get into trouble. He isn't spoiled, and is happy with simple things to do such as making origami figures and reading books, and singing songs from 'Man of La Mancha", "Annie Get your Gun" and the band Casting Crowns. He had a good day on the 4th taking a turn hand cranking homemade ice cream and playing badminton and a monkey in the middle games with his older sister at the old fashioned picnic.

Daniel doesn't dress or act trashy, treats his teachers and parents, family members and others with respect and is kind to everyone. He appreciates the personal and financial sacrifices and choices that have been made by my husband and myself starting long before he was born, us choosing that I would be a stay at home mother for these last sixteen years. My husband is a computer engineer out of work 13 of the last 18 months, thereby having our family's faith severely tested. It has probably been the most difficult thing Daniel has ever been through thus far in the course of his young life.

He's a sweet, gentle boy with a very loving heart.

Then again... maybe as a parent I am different after all.

Imagine a child having a desire to dress with individuality and retro flair, and his parents indulging him, because young children don't have the money or the resources to do so on their own. No, there's no one like that on this forum, is there...?

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Oh gosh, I wasn't trying to humble you, or criticise, cC, anyone with an eye and one brain cell can see how much you dote on your kids, how proud you are of them and justifiably so! It's just I think you were being a bit unfair with your comment followed with an eye-rolling smiley, when to me it seems that although your son doesn't have a taste for flamboyant red velvet suit jackets he *does* have a taste for the individual side of things, because how many other 12-13 year olds in his school want an art deco wardrobe? Not many I'm assuming!

I'm not trying to pick on you for indulging it, I think it's great, and he looks the perfect little vintage gent in his vintage-looking outfits! But I just don't see the difference between this 8 year old's parents indulging his quirky dress sense and you indulging Daniel in his mission to become the next Fred Astaire! It's the same thing, just Daniel's is a more ... reserved style.

I wasn't casting aspersions on his character or ambition, nor your family's for that matter, my comment is purely to do with sartorial style. How do you know the 8-year old doesn't want to be a pastor?

OK... probably not. lol

 

[TheDutchess]

Call me crazy but judging a little kid because he's in circumstances beyond his control is...well you can fill in that blank and the word isn't "awesome" I was simply displaying style from an 8 year old that i found impressive. outside of the " Oliver" inspired outfit I don't find him to be "flashy" at all. If you've ever read the Satorialist blog or even just walked down the street in Soho you'll find the same kind of look. With that said style is subjective and i applaud anyone who is willing to push the norm past "just outside the box" especially a little boy.

 

[Canadian]

I doubt it's the little boy who's choosing his outfits. I bet his parents have a media consultant who has gently guided him into choosing more outlandish things, just so that he'll gather publicity. Eight year old boys do not have the capacity to be style icons. They wear what they think is cool, but they think things are cool because others tell them to. And only by virtue of having a lot of cash, he is able to be flamboyant in a style which I am sure is supported philosophically by his parents.

As for young Daniel, I think he looks great. Especially in black tie.

Thomas

 

[ladybrettashley]

I doubt it's the little boy who's choosing his outfits. I bet his parents have a media consultant who has gently guided him into choosing more outlandish things, just so that he'll gather publicity. Eight year old boys do not have the capacity to be style icons. They wear what they think is cool, but they think things are cool because others tell them to. And only by virtue of having a lot of cash, he is able to be flamboyant in a style which I am sure is supported philosophically by his parents.

As for young Daniel, I think he looks great. Especially in black tie.

Thomas

"they think things are cool because others tell them to"
Yes, sure, like all of us. We all get our style inspiration somewhere, and we all care what someone thinks about it. Our style may be more "refined," but that doesn't negate that we are trying to look a certain way for a certain reason (whatever those may be).

I would also note the photo of the kid with his brother, who is dressed in completely ordinary clothing. That, to me, says volumes about whose choice it is. I'm not saying he hasn't had help or support (is that a bad thing?), and of course having money makes it easier. I'll never know the details of this situation well enough to judge all that, nor do i care, but i take issue, on principle, with the way folks blow off children.

Carey, your son is wonderfully dapper! =)

 

[Canadian]

Well of course we all have stylistic influences and dress because something is appealing.

What I meant, more precisely was that the hollywood kid is dressing like he does not because of his cohorts, but because his parents are using him as a publicity tool. If I was in one of the film industries and was relatively high profile, and my son was willing to dress in a manner which would raise my profile (and ultimately his) I'd encourage it. Those sorts of people dress to be remembered by the masses as unique.

That's a far cry from a ten year old today dressing like Grant or Astaire. Young Daniel doesn't have a media presence to worry about, nor do any of us as far as I know. But people in Hollywood use every angle to place themselves as creative and interesting. For Daniel, clothes are clothes. For Hollywood, clothes become costume on and offstage.

As for wearing ascots and velvet blazers, I save that for entertaining on fun nights, not for wearing around town. A time and place for everything.

 

[Tiller]

Call me crazy but judging a little kid because he's in circumstances beyond his control is...well you can fill in that blank and the word isn't "awesome" I was simply displaying style from an 8 year old that i found impressive. outside of the " Oliver" inspired outfit I don't find him to be "flashy" at all. If you've ever read the Satorialist blog or even just walked down the street in Soho you'll find the same kind of look. With that said style is subjective and i applaud anyone who is willing to push the norm past "just outside the box" especially a little boy.

Very well said Dutchess :eusa_clap.

 

[jamespowers]

Sometimes it is just the way they are. My son is two and he loves wearing a suit and tie. I did when I was that age as well. I never really go the T-shirt and sandals look.
I actually commend the parents. It takes time and talent to devote to, not only finding decent children's clothes today, but in putting it together well. Teach them while they are young and they don't end up wearing shorts sandals and a t-short to a funeral---much less everywhere else. :eusa_doh:

 

[Canadian]

Perhaps it's a good thing for parents to encourage younger children to wear suits and dress like junior adults. My nephew, at age eight loves wearing his suit and ties. He told me one time he wanted a suit like Uncle Tom, so (probably in the same spirit as the hollywood tot's parents) I indulged him. And his dad lets him dress western when hanging around the farm, and they spare no expense to ensure he has the latest of fashions. So, yes, I understand the desire of a parent or friend to want their offspring to be stylish and mature in their thought. And if you can help that son dress well, (key, well) you are helping him develop into a person who may be responsible in other areas.

I just suspect in this case, we can learn that excess money is not necessarily a good thing, sartorially at least. I read modern fashion magazines (GQ and British GQ especially) and I don't have the pomposity to say I read them only for the articles and not for the ads and photo spreads. Some of the stuff the high end fashion houses push are downright silly. If the fashion industry of the modern era wants to tell us that wearing a hawaiian print blazer or a bizarre belt is acceptable, I recognize there needs to be a market for them. I just don't want my kid or my family wearing something that costs 4 grand, is outdated in a month or two and is not durable. Feeling that clothing is easily dispensable leads to other behaviour where people and property become acquired and dispensed with.

I am very impressed with Daniel. If I had at age 13 decided to wear suits, I probably would have developed a personal style based on my stylistic influences. Arlo instead dresses clearly to stand out in a non-traditionalist sense and I do suspect his choices are under more scrutiny than other eight year olds who are not media figures capable of getting a spread on the GQ site. But yes, Arlo will not grow up to wear t-shirts and shorts to funerals. In fact, despite my earlier comments, he is probably going to be a star in his own right, and develop every quirk and possible advantage or disadvantage that comes with it. I begrudge him not that.

Now for a bit of personal experience. I am a trust fund kid. I work in a family firm earning way more money than I'm worth. The joke among my friends is that I'm "Chuck Bass" or "Sebastian Valmont". So I understand how to dress for "flash" not "style" and have a lot more respect for those who dress with a degree of style and not for media attention or as pawns of a greater scheme of promotion and creating a brand image.

It was only speculation that this Arlo is under the influence of media, but really, how do you get in GQ without a publicist or running into a cameraman on the street who is freelancing stills of notable sartorial influences. If his parents money can buy publicity, then it will eventually result in a problem. It's not his money buying the clothes, it's his parents money.

As for Daniel? On an entirely appropriate scale, he's wearing his best at every occasion. I probably wouldn't wear white tie except maybe three times a year to various balls, but I was well known for interpreting a fraternity "black tie" formal to not include jeans and a "black tie" and actually to wear black tie appropriate clothes.

I understand where Arlo is coming from. But I also have respect for Daniel.

Sorry for the drift, but I doubt this Arlo kid is in total control of his appearance.

Thomas

 

[TheDutchess]

Im sorry but i find it funny and strange all at once that this thread has turned into some "deeper" meaning as to why this little boy...i repeat LITTLE BOY has a certain sense of style. Who cares how he got in GQ and who's money got him there. That's neither here nor there; what the focus was and still is, he's a very stylish little boy. I think its safe to say that no one knows who he is so it really in bad taste to just write him off and assume that he was some how manipulated into this and i have to kindly disagree and say that children in general are more aware than adults think they are and are completely able to develop their own sense of style. Please remember there is a bell curve and not everyone is "average". All and all im kind of saddened some of ya'll are picking on a little kid...i mean really guys? he's a baby pick on someone your own size.

 

[Tiller]

Im sorry but i find it funny and strange all at once that this thread has turned into some "deeper" meaning as to why this little boy...i repeat LITTLE BOY has a certain sense of style. Who cares how he got in GQ and who's money got him there. That's neither here nor there; what the focus was and still is, he's a very stylish little boy. I think its safe to say that no one knows who he is so it really in bad taste to just write him off and assume that he was some how manipulated into this and i have to kindly disagree and say that children in general are more aware than adults think they are and are completely able to develop their own sense of style. Please remember there is a bell curve and not everyone is "average". All and all im kind of sadden some of ya'll are picking on a little kid...i mean really guys? he's a baby pick on someone your own size.

Again very well said Dutchess :eusa_clap. I find it interesting to see fellow Vintage lovers teasing a kid based on his clothing style. Granted he maybe more "Steampunk", then "vintage", but I think we would be the first group defending someones individual style, especially one who's style is close to our own! With all the threads about how rude people are when they see us dressed to the nines, or just wearing a simple fedora, I find it odd to find the same behavior of "those rude people" here, and over someone who is 8 none the less.

 

[chanteuseCarey]

Speaking of top hats, Daniel is totally jazzed about his vintage beaver one gotten in time to wear at the ADSC's Art Deco Ball:

That was my very first thought upon seeing the top hat.

and his other vintage hat:

But no velvet jacket. He does have an ivory 4x2 DB dinner jacket though that he's worn volunteering as an usher for the California Pops Orchestra...

 

[chanteuseCarey]

Did ya see this line from the first page of the article?

"Arlo, who plans to start designing his own clothes as soon as his mom gets a sewing machine, likes to mix and match bright colors and patterns. In fact, he’s up for trying just about anything-"

He's up for trying just about anything?? Does kinda sound like someone is leading him into trying just about anything...

As soon as his mom gets a sewing machine??

I'm sure that even in Hollywood she could surely find a place to purchase a sewing machine, even Walmart and Costco sell 'em. She could probably afford a sewing machine too.

They DO have a costumer and seamstresses for the TV show donchaknow... I remember seeing pics years ago of Charleston Heston with his son, and John Wayne and son(s) too, the costume designers on some of his films made the sons a few outfits just like Dad's.

 

[chanteuseCarey]

Stylish at age 3-1/2: Daniel wearing his classic & vintage style heirloom sewing sailor shirt and sailor shorts. The Shirt is a 30s retro cotton print, shorts are navy blue handkerchief linen. Made by Mommy for Easter in 2000. Changed to blk&wht image in Photoshop, the original color photograph before scanning was scratched and had dust specks.

The tie & socks are not this bright in the printed photograph. The shorts are actually a darker shade of navy.

I bought the fabrics and sewed these clothes and many others for him. My husband and I have been direct influences on Daniel's clothing since he was born. Via direct exposure to older and some newer films, archival photographs, authentic period clothing, books, research materials, period events and even info here most recently gleaned on FL, Daniel has been introduced to the clothing styles of the Regency,Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Golden Era periods. In primarily the last year or two, Daniel has made his own choices of what he likes to wear (or not) and who his fashion icon is for his own style.

I did show Daniel the GQ link with the pics of Arlo today from the GQ site. His personal take on Arlo's clothing- quote "I detest and abhor them- because they don't go together. Personally, I don't think they look very good. They look kind of lame and costumey."

 

[TheDutchess]

Poor little Arlo is apparently Satan himself to some

I didn't realize a little 8 year old would spark such negativity in grown adults. I mean i can stoop low with the best of them but I stop the line at picking on little children. Like as stated before and will be stated again. It was just an article about a little boy that I found to be stylish. If you don't like it ok...but is it necessary to bombard not one but two threads with what you "think" is stylish and what should be there? I think we get the point. I'm all for other example of course but to put negative comments behind it and basically bash a child is just low.

Fashion is subjective and is a fun expression of ones individuality whether you like someone's outward appearence or not, thats on you but don't make it seem like its "wrong" because its not what you like. I would think in a forum full of people who dress outside the norm of society there would be more accepting of something that was different but i could be wrong.

 

[Tomasso]

I didn't realize a little 8 year old would spark such negativity in grown adults.

Yes, that was surprising. I think that his folk's money had some bearing.

 

[Canadian]

I must, in the good natured spirit of this forum, apologize. Eight year olds are capable of style. Perhaps it's a cultural thing and I only stepped into choosing clothing in my own right once I reached my high schooling and university years. But eight year olds are by definition incapable of mature reflection. When Arlo speaks of his fez, he adores it not because it indicates a religious or philanthropic association, he likes it because of the string.

As for Arlo's choices being appropriate, perhaps they are in his world.

I think Daniel looks great. I wish I'd had the opportunity to dress like that when I was young. And I hope he continues to dress well in the future. He's going to look quite dashing when he enters into the business world.

Again I apologize. I still think Daniel looks good, and maybe as I post more, and understand the polite vernacular of this society, I shall be better received. I should know better than to post with all the accuracy of a blind man holding a chainsaw.

Thomas

 

[HadleyH]

I doubt it's the little boy who's choosing his outfits. I bet his parents have a media consultant who has gently guided him into choosing more outlandish things, just so that he'll gather publicity. Eight year old boys do not have the capacity to be style icons.

Thomas

:arated:

Couldn't agree more! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

I would think in a forum full of people who dress outside the norm of society there would be more accepting of something that was different but i could be wrong.

That's the point I was trying to make in my post on the subject (can't remember which of the two threads, but as they both contain large, repeated posts then they have merged in my brain!) but you made it much more succinctly Dutchess!