Hey, Where'd You Get the Cute Socks?
The sinister side of baby socks? Not the tops, with their fun colors, patterns and even attachments, like dog ears or flowers. Nope, for the real are you kidding me, people reaction, all you have to do is slip the cute socks on your baby’s tiny feet and look at the bottom. Your bundle of joy has been transformed into a baby billboard: CARTER’S! And not just a little logo, either. HUGE. And TWO OF THEM.
Same, of course, for THE CHILDREN’S PLACE!
It’s annoying on so many levels. First of all, it just looks lame. I don’t really like logo clothes to begin with, but the SIZE of these sockvertisements–and their deliberate placement on the usually forward-facing baby feet (think about it: in stroller mode, arm mode, whatever, the bottoms of baby socks get a lot more eyeball time than your basic socks) makes me kinda want to grab a purple Sharpie and color them in. But of course, that’d be crazy.
And who are they really marketing to with these baby-feet-in-your-face ads? Other parents of babies? People–they’re already buying your socks anyway. C’mon. You think a bright sock logo will give you the edge in the fierce baby sock market? Not only are all parents spending a fortune at Carter’s and Baby Gap and all the other onesieporiums, we’re enjoying it! We like buying your strawberry sweatshirts and dancing hula girl monkey shirts. We feel good about you for making them! But the socks?
Now I don’t like you anymore.
Come to think about it, I’m really starting to feel more strongly about those completely-not-needed but sorta cute baby shoes. Wait. Better check the bottoms first.
standupdad 
Dude, stop buying brand new clothing. It’s a waste of money and environmentally undfriendly. Your kid is only going to outgrow the clothing in three months anyway. Instead, check out one of the many great baby clothing consignment shops in the five boroughs. The clothing for sale at a fraction of the cost of new stuff has barely been worn. Sometimes you even find stuff with the tags still on. Even better, a lot of parents groups do clothing swaps. Trade your clothes that don’t fit your kid any more for things that do and someone else with a baby younger than yours will be happy to take your clothing. Brand new baby clothing is such a rip off.
That’s a groovy idea! Actually, some of the best stuff has been given to us by other parents who have daughters just a little older than ours. We just got a very nice bagful yesterday, in fact. And you’re right… you buy that fun outfit (don’t ask about summer dresses… we made a financial mistake there) only to find out a month later she’s outgrown it and she only actually wore it ONCE. Erg.
Funny story; when we had our first baby, my husband proudly pronounced ” this baby, this PRINCESS, will only wear clothes from Baby Gap, The Children’s Place, Nordstrom” you get the picture. But good enough mother, who was already savvy even upon the birth of her first child, KNEW that kid would outgrow that stuff so fast that it made perfect sense to shop at Target and every so often, Wal-Mart. That is where Casey got most of her really cute stuff. When Cole came along, hell, there wasn’t even a question as to where we would shop. I get it, Mark, with first baby. But soon enough you’ll be checking out the really cute stuff at Target!
Yeah, we made a few strategic mistakes upon seeing summer dresses in a we-should-never-have-gone-into-that-store location known for its super cute and outrageously overpriced babywear. We were exchanging a collection on bathing suits we received as gifts and all we had to do was get out of there but we ended up shopping. The dresses? Um, yeah. I think we overestimated the number of summer garden parties we’d be hitting with the newborn.
Silly, they’re non skid! You know, for when your 6 mo old wants to hightail it around your house.
Before I was born my dad made a trip to the US and came back with a suitcase full of clothes for me (I still have the suitcase) All these really nice clothes… Now while my mom was telling me this she started cracking up and I never got it what was so funny till I asked. He bought them all the same size and since my mother already had two children she know that this was a big no-no… I love my Dad
Just wanted to say: I’ve been reading your wife’s blog for a while, and just started reading yours today. LOVE it!!! I’m a new mom of a 5 month old baby girl, and it’s funny how interesting burp cloths, poopy diapers, and logo socks become when you are a parent. I absolutely enjoy reading your posts, keep em coming!
Awesome! Glad to have you here! If only I wasn’t so tired… I’d post more frequently!