OverDressed for Life

For this ensemble, Elsie chose to reflect the sparkles on her jeans with sparkles on a t-shirt.

When it comes to fashion, 12-year-old Elise has got her style down. She says she dresses as she feels when she wakes up in the morning. So one might be able to tell her mood by her chosen attire for the day. For example if she’s donning her green Old Navy sweats and purple jacket, well that might be a sluggish day. Catch her in a dress and lots of baubles, she’s feeling bright and sunny.

Elsie is entering seventh grade this fall and as a firmly planted middle school student she enjoys fashion on her own terms, refusing to let other kids dictate what she should or should not wear. Sometimes they’ll give her a hard time for sporting sweats, other times they question why she’s dressed up. “The kids aren’t so nice,” admits Elsie. “But I just say whatever you think is what you think. I don’t really care.”

Among Elsie’s favorite looks are skirts with leggings or tights. She likes color and she likes to layer. One of her go-to outfits is a pink dress paired with a purple t-shirt underneath. On special occasions, like her birthday, Elsie might don her puffy pink dress from Rue La La and to take it up a notch she’ll add a sash that says Birthday Girl.

Here Elsie has created her own look by hanging a long chain full of handpicked charms on her belt loop. Nicely done!

This fashionable also knows her accessories, favoring necklaces and infinity scarves. Although she does put some thought into what she wears, Elsie says she doesn’t think that much about it, preferring to take it as it comes. She does however plan her first day back-to-school outfit. Knowing the accepted look by her schoolmates, her choice might be a t-shirt and jeans paired with her white Vans, but she’ll do it her way. (See photos.)

Elsie spends her time outside of school reading (fairy tales are a favorite) and she likes to write. She sews a bit and has designed and made her own Halloween costumes.

Hooray for this young independent fashion spirit!

Thanks, Elise. Best of luck in 7th grade!