Having 'The Talk' About Skimpy Clothing? Avoid These Mistakes.

Teens and their parents will inevitably disagree about many things, from curfew to allowance. Another common point of conflict is clothing, especially when a teen’s aesthetic is more revealing than parents would like.

Some parents would like their teens to dress more modestly. Others don’t mind bare skin but are concerned about their child’s well-being and how others might perceive them.

“It’s still a sad reality that what people wear can bring bad attention,” said Rudy Hernandez , a mental health therapist at Kaiser Permanente in California. “As a parent, we have an instinct to protect them from reputational, verbal and possible emotional abuse” they may encounter if they wear barely there clothing, he explained.

How can parents start a discussion?

Although it may be difficult for parents to keep their thoughts about skimpy clothing to themselves, Hernandez advises parents “to try their best to not criticize or judge the teen for their clothing choices.” Instead, he recommended that parents have “a broader conversation about style and what they’re hoping to get across.” Asking questions in a nonjudgmental way can open up a dialogue. Parents can ask, “Why do you want to wear that?” or “What sort of statement are you hoping to send with your clothing?” and pay close attention to the answers, Hernandez advised.

There may be many valid reasons teens want to wear skimpy clothing, explained Caroline Fenkel , a mental health expert and chief clinical officer at Charlie Health. “Clothing can be a form of self-expression for teens, allowing them to explore their identity and individuality,” she said. It can also give them a confidence boost if they “feel more confident and empowered when wearing clothing that they feel