As a millennial, earth-tone outfits have become my everyday attire. Besides loving the colors, they suit my warm skin undertone. Every time I see items in shades of brown, beige, or similar tones, I’m instantly drawn to them—even when it comes to baby clothes. Seeing small baby outfits in earthy tones makes them look adorable and charming. Moreover, many online and offline baby stores offer collections in earthy colors. Without realizing it, almost all my baby’s clothes have similar tones. It turns out that this habit is part of the “sad beige mom” phenomenon.
What is a Sad Beige Mom?
The “sad beige mom” phenomenon refers to an aesthetic trend among parents, particularly mothers, who opt for neutral palettes like beige, ivory, light brown, or gray in various aspects of their lives, from clothing to home decor.
This term gained popularity on social media, especially TikTok, as a satire of a curated lifestyle. It critiques how parents prioritize visual aesthetics to the extent of sacrificing functionality or their children’s need to explore.
Although aesthetically pleasing, this trend has negative impacts on children. Studies show that environments dominated by neutral colors can create a calming effect but, if applied excessively to children, may reduce the visual stimulation essential for brain development. A beige-dominated environment may feel comfortable for adults, but children can feel bored and under-stimulated.
Some other studies reveal that babies respond better to bright colors like red, blue, yellow, and green. These colors are more visible to developing eyes and help stimulate visual abilities. Bright colors, such as red and yellow, can also encourage children’s creativity by stimulating their imagination. Research suggests that a color-rich environment aids children in developing exploratory skills and creative thinking.
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How to Avoid Falling into the Sad Beige Mom Phenomenon?
In a Threads discussion, some tips emerged to help mothers maintain aesthetics without compromising their children’s stimulation:
1. Use Earth Tones Only for Outings.
Choose earth-tone or monochrome outfits for aesthetic family photos when going out. However, for daily wear, dress children in bright and vibrant clothes so they can recognize various colors. This way, moms can still have aesthetic photos, while children receive adequate color stimulation.
2. Create a Separate Playroom for Kids.
If your home has an aesthetic concept and you don’t want children’s toys to disrupt the decor, designate a special playroom. Paint the room in bright colors and provide colorful toys. Avoid painting children’s toys in monochrome colors solely for aesthetics, as this could reduce visual stimulation and pose a hazard if the paint peels and gets ingested.
Conclusion
Neutral color trends are undeniably popular among millennial and Gen Z parents, especially on social media. However, as parents, it’s essential to understand that children’s growth and development require a stimulating environment, including bright and diverse colors. By balancing aesthetics and children’s needs, we can provide the best for them without sacrificing our lifestyle.
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