MOM ON THE RUN: Solution to fashion crisis finally found

I’m at work, half-way through a slow, extended conversation with my daughter. It’s been a few minutes since the last message and the issue is not resolved, so I’m expecting it when my phone vibrates again. I pick it up, flip it open, and wait for the new picture message to open.

She’s sent me a picture of the blue sundress again, this time topped by a puff-sleeved cardigan. I squint at the tiny picture, and consider. My 17-year-old has to leave for the Key Club banquet before I get home, and long-distance I’m trying to help her choose her outfit. Her closet is filled with mostly casual clothes, of course, and her few dress items, it seems, are not appropriate.

I study this latest picture. She took it herself, facing a mirror, and to make it as close as possible she’s cut off her feet and her head. But I know what’s on her feet, and now that her shoulders are covered with the cardigan, they’re my biggest concern. “Better but you still cant wear flip flops,” I reply. Fancy flip-flops are apparently the “only” shoes she has for the blue sundress, but I’m absolutely serious about my flip-flop veto. “Its a banquet with people from all over. No way!” I could feel her eye roll from across the miles.

“Burgundy too wintery,” she types back. I know, we’ve been through this already. My daughter apparently has only two dresses in her closet — though I would swear I’ve bought more, plus various skirts — the royal blue sundress, which is what she wants to wear, and a burgundy knit that I prefer. I think the burgundy dress is flattering and appropriate for the weather, which is already chilly and will be worse after the sun sets. But my daughter thinks that dress, the color and the knit and the turtleneck, is “too wintery.” “But with cap sleeves,” I spelled back, figuring the two features balanced each other out, making the dress cross all seasons. And so we are debating, via text message and cell-phone picture.

Back and forth we have gone in message after message. Flip-flops vs. black heels. Sundress vs. knit dress. Blue vs. burgundy. I know there are more choices in her closet, I know I’ve bought other things, but I’m not there to look and find them. I’m at work, trying to concentrate on a project, while a part of my brain scans her closet.

I know the ideal solution, it’s what I presented when she first contacted me, but she shot it down and I don’t want to suggest it again. But really, her black slacks would be perfect. Black dress pants fit every occasion, especially banquets where you don’t know what everyone else is wearing. “No I want to wear a dress,” she said, but that has gotten complicated. I wish I could get her to reconsider slacks now, but I don’t want to start an argument in the middle of this peaceful debate.

My phone goes silent for several long minutes. I review the options presented: blue dress, burgundy dress, blue dress with the cardigan. I try and try, but can’t agree with the blue dress, it’s just too casual. I think about sending another text, about calling her … and no, I decide. My daughter is 17. She knows what’s appropriate and what’s not. It’s a minor decision in the grand scheme of things and, worst case, blue sundress and flip-flops, she’ll be sitting down the whole time and nobody will notice. If her outfit is out of place, she’ll see that for herself and know next time.

My phone buzzes again. I flip it open, and wait for the new picture message to download. “This is what I’m wearing,” she states with finality. And there she is, headless and footless, in … black slacks, with a flowing black and green top.

“Looks great,” I text back casually. But in the privacy of my cube, I exhale in relief.

Lianne Wilkens lives with her family in Manassas. She can be reached at liannewilkens@hotmail.com.