Cases For and Against Dressing Your Twins Alike

By Mariana Ashley

It's a classic dilemma for parents of twins and other multiples: do we dress them alike or not? Can we dress them similarly, but still maintain some individuality? Will dressing them alike have any effect on their development? Should we always dress them differently? There are just so many questions for something as (seemingly) simple as dressing your twins (or triplets or more). With the inherent stress in raising young multiples, caring for a child every day, and trying to manage your own health and happiness, clothing shouldn't add to your daily grind. Obviously, it isn't a good idea to force your children to dress a certain specific way, especially if they are old enough to choose outfits and styles on their own. However, there are many reasons both for and against dressing your multiples the same. Here are the pros and cons to dressing your kids alike, but overall, I think it comes down to circumstance.

A Case For Dressing Twins Alike

Dressing your twins in matching outfits can be very useful in certain situations. As any parent with multiple children will tell you, the more kids there are, the harder they are to manage. By dressing your young twins alike in certain situations, you can make it easier to spot them in a crowd. For example, if you are going to a place that is going to be crowded with a lot of other children and people (such as a children's museum, park, play area, school event, etc.), it can be very beneficial to dress your twins alike or similarly. This will make it easier to spot both (or all) of them quickly. You can keep track of them more easily. While this logic may sound silly, it really can be useful. Another obvious reason to dress your twins alike is that it's just plain easier. You can buy the same outfit in different colors much more quickly and easily than you can pick out two unique outfits. Being a parent is busy; this is just one way to simplify things.

A Case Against Dressing Twins Alike

Now this is where the argument may get a little lopsided. Dressing your kids in the exact same outfit at the same time is, for me, frowned upon. I just don't see the need for it and, frankly, it can be confusing at times. Let your twins be identified by others for something other than their twin-ness. Many feel that dressing twins alike at a young age obscures their sense of identity. Of course, we want our children to develop their own individual personalities. Any parent will quickly get to know their kids and will begin to recognize their idiosyncrasies and quirks. Find ways to illuminate these little aspects of each of your children through their dress. While this will take more effort on your part, it can help a child develop a sense of self that is independent of being a twin. Throughout their lives, outsiders will identify your kids by their twin-ness. Rather than encourage that from the start, allow your twins (or multiples) to be individuals to themselves and others.

By-line:

Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.