The Curious History of Mommy and Me Fashion

Over the last century or so, fashion trends have spoken loudly about what matters in society. One fashion that has gone in and out since 1900 has been the Mommy and Me outfit because it reflects affluence, or lack, or trends in the workplace. ‘Mother and child to match’ fashion trends come and go every generation, and the opinions from the rest of society range from delight to horror. This is because one of the parties, either mother or child, is usually dressed inappropriately for their age. Matching outfits makes mom feel young and daughter feel older and special. Mommy and Me outfits have had a curious history, but they can be fun for both.

Where the trend began

Jeanne Lanvin, a fashion designer in Paris back in 1897, gave birth at a late age in life to her only daughter, in 1897. She didn’t retire to be a mom; instead, she filled a gap that she saw in the industry and created a children’s line of clothing using the same fabrics: luxurious textiles and styles for daughters as reflecting Mom’s fashion. Mommy and Me outfits got a lot of attention and showed the family’s affluence. They remained a trend until the Depression and the war, when any displays of wealth were embarrassing.

Mommy and Me fashion came back in the fifties and sixties, as models and designers and fashion shows became trendier. It also became about spending time with your daughter, teaching her to sew, and reusing fabrics. In the 70s and 80s, women in the workplace was a much more dominant fashion trend. Today, Mommy and Me outfits are getting attention again, thanks to celebrity moms and social media.

Why all these recurrences?

Kids love to dress up. Most little girls want to feel grown up and sophisticated, too, just like Mommy. A Mommy and Me outfit allows her to show off, and looking like Mom is a source of pride for the little girl. It can be fun for Mom, too, but at the heart of it, it is a celebration of each other. Mother and child dress alike sometimes because they spend a lot of time together, taking pleasure in each other’s company.

It hasn’t always worked out well. It is best when the outfits don’t look exactly alike, but instead match in spirit, or in fabric. Be sure that the outfit is designed to be age appropriate for both! Matching the family together – that is, mothers, sons, daughters, and siblings—is cost effective and a simple, easier way to dress. In today’s reincarnation of Mommy and Me outfits, looking good without the worry of what to wear takes the stress away, and it lets mother and daughter focus on their day and their plans.

Mommy and Me outfits are enjoyable and special for everyone in the family. It doesn’t have to be girls only. Little boys can wear coordinated outfits to become part of the trend, too. Click here for more details.