What do you guys think? Love or shove the skull-and-crossbone trend on babies? On one hand, I get that it has a punk rock flavor and appreciate the irony of an edgy, yet toothless, human being.
On the other hand, something about the association this symbol has with death just weirds me out.
In the context of a whole pirate-themed thing, I like it. As a baby, my son had a handful of red and white striped garments from Gymboree with a hooligan vibe and I thought it was quite cute.
Heather just received the cute skull-adorned front carrier at the top of this post, courtesy of Evenflo. She said she likes it, but claims that this iconography is so prevalent right now that she wonders if skulls are the next generation’s Winnie the Pooh. And then she made her case by sending me links to all these items.
Sources: Sourpuss Clothing socks; Punkbabyclothes.com girls onesies; booties from Stardust kids; handmade infant hat via gothicrainbows.blogspot.com
So, what’s your vote? For or against skulls for the soft-skulled crowd?
I think the skulls are punk rock, but they are on EVERYTHING these days, which does make them like the new trend…and keeps me from liking them too much! This is coming from a person who loves certain things until they become too prevalent: butterflies, leopard print, stars, skulls, owls. But I would be more likely to use products that are FREE despite what pattern or color they are. My son used tons of pink when he was newborn because my friends had girls and passed things down such as swings, seats, etc. (Not clothing!)
I’m okay with them. The few skull-adorned items that we had early on were a nice counterpoint to the very sweet, very appreciated, but very ducky gender-neutral clothes that we received before our son’s birth.
As he gets older, though, I find myself drawn more to pops of color (like an orange bib) rather than a crazy character–skulls or otherwise. I’d rather our son’s sweet face and funny personality be the focus, but that’s just me.
you hit the nail on the head for me! I get the irony but it weirds me out too…although not in the case of pirate print, that is kinda cute. there are other ways to be ironic….
The prevalence of skulls is what weirds me out, not so much the skulls themselves. Being Mexican, I grew up around the culture of skull imagery and art, but I do admit that some skulls are creepier than others. If they are fun, artful, creative or clever, I’m into it. When it just seems to be evil/creepy/realistic, I’m not into it. Also, when my son was a newborn, I was hesitant to put anything death-y looking on him, to be honest.
Creeps me out, too. Skulls and death symbols have no place in a new/young life. Never thought death was “cool”.
HATE IT! There, got that out. We went to a photo studio with our son, and there was another family there with their son getting ready to get his picture taken in a shirt with a big ugly skull on the front, and while I try not to judge others choices, it was hard not to think to myself “what are they thinking??”
It’s a nay for me. I find it too trendy and cheesy.
holy adorable-ness! i think the skulls definitely are cute, but i personally wont dress my lil bebe in them because they are so trendy and i want to look back and NOT think “whaaat was i thinking dressing my baby in that?”
but then…that doesn’t make clothes as fun, either!
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All I can think about is how that carrier cannot be comfortable! At least past 15 pounds, for real.
Anyway, I often feel like what kids wear is much more an expression of the parent’s style than the child’s. At least until they’re old enough to put up a fight. I can see your point about skulls = death, but how is that any different than a bib that says, “hide your daughters” or “my mom is sexy”?
I am not a fan of the skull/crossbones for babes. I am pregnant (with twins!) and I am steering clear of the trend – if older kids or parents are into it then I say let them wear it and let the babes have their innocence!
Skulls and crossbones are good for Halloween. Your baby can be punk in some other, less creepy way. No skulls for babies!!!
i’m not a fan of skulls. i don’t mind the pirate theme, but the skulls just seem a bit too morbid for little kids. is it just me or does it seem like there’s always more clothing with skull graphics are the clearance rack?
I also feel conflicted about the skulls. I like the piratey stuff, but have never been a big fan of skully stuff in general.
However, I think this skull trend (among others) is mostly proof that the goth kids are growing up and having babies!
IMO, I really dislike the skulls and crossbones. Death has no place around my kids and I take pains to buy clothing for my boys without them being on it. And, believe me, it is difficult to find clothing for boys that is *not dorky* that doesn’t have those emblems on them in some way, shape or form. I think there is already too much darkness infiltrating this new generation to begin with (everything from their music to their mannerisms, or the lack thereof) and I don’t want my kids adorning a poison symbol.
Children are the light of world and their innocence should be allow to shine freely and not tainted with dark symbolism on their clothing.