Do Clothes Make The Dude?

Picture Day was last week and the kids didn't have to wear their normal uniforms that day. The school rules regarding dress were so tight that the kids actually asked to wear their uniforms anyway. We quickly rummaged through closets and drawers the night before. They tried on dressy khakis and church clothing- most they had outgrown. But after a search, we came up with a few options. Most of these options were not suitable to the youngest. Evidently he has a style to maintain. The oldest wore my first choice, but the youngest would not be so easy. He looked so cute in khakis, a tee shirt and a denim button-up untucked. But he wasn't going for it in the least. After a 30 minute negotiation (and yes, he negotiates like a seasoned attorney) we agreed on something. The next morning, they both looked adorable. That afternoon, I asked how everything went, to which they both muttered, "Fine." Then the oldest asked if I would buy him a polo shirt with an alligator on it. Oh great, I thought. It has started already. Clothing Envy. I remember wanting a pair of Levi's with the red tag, just like everyone else had. My parents wouldn't buy them. Remembering this feeling, but being an adult now, I knew what I had to say to my child. I asked him if a lot of the boys wore those polos for picture day. He said yes. I asked him if he felt like he didn't get the memo regarding what everyone was going to wear? He said yes. So I said yes, too. Yes, to the polo with the little alligator on it. Do clothes make the dude? Or does the dude make the clothes? It's not everyday I give in to clothing envy, but that day it just seemed to be the right thing to do. Well, that was 3 weeks ago. We haven't purchased the shirt yet. And he hasn't mentioned it since.