clothes encounters

Earlier this year Kai turned five, and since then he has taken charge of picking out his outfits. When left to his own devices, you can see he is a force to be reckoned with.  He discovered some old clip-on ties in his repertoire, accessories I purchased at a thrift store for various costumes. He now dons them with some regularity (on weekends, in particular), clipping them to the neck of his t-shirts or button downs or, in some cases, with no shirt at all.  As Bell has observed, "He's the only kid at the park who wears a tie."

This photo was taken after Kai had already removed his favorite weekend clip-on, which he had attached to point where this (very small) Brooks Brothers blazer buttons up.  He took off the tie so that he and his little buddy could unearth dinosaur fossils without obstruction.  A man can't chisel and hammer and brush with his tie in the way.  The blazer, by the way, was part of his old Halloween costume (two and a 1/2 years, ten pounds, and about eight inches ago). Tell me, ladies, how can you resist the charms?

One day he emerged from his room in this get-up.  "Wow!" I exclaimed. Because what else is there to say? Just. Wow.

"Don't I look like a teenager?" he asked most sincerely.  I told him I didn't know any teenage boys who wear ties, much less clip-ons, and lesser still clip-ons that attach that far down on the shirt.  I've never actually seen a teenager with a NASCAR hat from the local Albertsons bakery department, as the locals are all about the beanie and the jaunty fedora.  But that's okay!  Because damn, Kai looks good.  I'm not the only one to say so--whenever he is out and about in one of his outfits, he always seems to attract comments from young and old alike.  I think he is especially encouraged by the teenagers and young men who encounter him and say things like, "Dude! Lookin' good!" or "Hey man, like your tie.  You look cool!"  And the thing is, they are not mocking him, they are amused and charmed and always kind.

Who's got style?  Who's got flash? Uh-huh, you know it. 

Tha's what I'm talkin' about.

 

Comments

[Gina]

He is totally fierce! Awesome!

Mine could care less what he wears, as long as it is comfortable.

[Viola]

Keanu Reeves would be proud and might think he looks like his own little mini-me. Gotta love the plaid on plaid with shades. :)

[CM]

He is going to grow up to be a fashion designer. The kid is stylin'.

[fringes]

Great pictures. Very fashionable!

[Kristin]

I have some clothes that Jack has outgrown that would look rockin' on cool Kai... we'll have to meet for coffee and I'll hand 'em over...

[Hippo Brigade]

Start saving now, because I hear the fashion design school Parsons in New York city, is expensive.

[dgm]

the dude sure has his own thang going on.

gina, fierce, indeed. funny thing is, jade's not so much into clothes like most girls her age. she likes certain things, but i can see that kai will be the clothes force to be reckoned with.

kristin, you're on!