Where has the Little Green Gator Gone?

Do you remember this Little Green Gator? In about 1981 or 82 he was a very popular Little Guy. Kids of all ages and even adults wanted this Gator on their chest. He was the in thing! He was todays Aeropostale, Holister, American Eagle and Abercrombie all rolled into one. He didn't come cheap. He was a pricey little Guy and could only be found at the Mall Stores. He was the Logo for Izod Lacoste. He could be found on shirts, sweater, jackets, stocking caps, swim trunks, belts, etc. Teens were really the majority group that was into the Izod style. At that time My Jen was a young teenager and she had the Gator Fever big time.







She just "had" to have these shirts or she would "die"! "Everyone" in her school was wearing them "except her". These shirts were running about $35 back then. So I went ahead and got her 2 Shirts to keep her alive and not die and to make the percentage of the school wearing the shirts 100%. I remember one was Pink and the other White. Lets see 5 days of school...2 Izod Shirts, nope this was not going to work. She of course wanted more. But a Mom working as a Waitress just didn't have that kind of extra money to buy her 3 or more of these shirts. I mean what was so special about these Izod Shirts? They came in different colors, they were knitt pull-overs, 2 buttons and a collar. What made them so special that you were just a no-body unless you wore them. Well I figured it out, it was that Little Gator! That is what made these shirts so special. Take the Logo off and you just had an every day shirt. Add the Little Gator Logo and you had an IZOD!

Well what is a Mom to do. I could not wash the shirts every 2 days or let the Kid wear the same 2 shirts day after day. Soooo I had this Great Idea. We went to the Mall and bought some Izod Socks. You see the Little Gator Logo was on the socks and the socks were alot less $$$ then the shirts.

Jen and I then went to WaMart. They carried a shirt that looked just like the Izod, except no Little Gator Logo on the front....and they were priced to fit my budget. She picked out her favorite colors and home we went. I carefully removed the Izod Gators from the socks and resewed them on the WalMart Shirts. Ta-da, Faux Izods! Hey it worked!

They looked just like this...no one knew the difference. It was our Little Secret and MY Little Girl, Saved Face. This Fad only lasted a year or so and then she was on to something else. Lets see there were Oxford Shirts with matching Vee Neck Sweaters, there were Baggy Cargo Pants with Pockets on the legs, there were the plastic Bangle Bracelets and the Twisty Bead Necklace, there was Lee Jeans and Nike shoes, then came the Western stuff, denim skirts, shirts and of course White Cowgirl Boots and Jackets with Fringe. These were all clothes she JUST HAD TO HAVE!!! and Mom did her best to make sure she had them. Did I over indulge?.... probably. Did I spend more money on clothes then I should have?...oooh Ya!, Did I love seeing MY Girl happy? ....without a doubt, would I do it again?...in a New York Minute.

Jen now has Madison and the Apple does not fall far from the Tree. Mat is into Brand Name Clothing also. Madison has no idea what Izod is but she knows what Uggs are and has them, American Eagle, Holister, Abercrombie and her very Favorite "PINK" ( this is a Brand not a color).
Does Jen over indulge?...yes, is Jen having fun dressing this Kid?...yes. I believe you need to Love, Teach, and Spoil your kids as much as you can, because to soon your are saying...

"Where have You Gone, My Little One, Little One...turn around and you're one, turn around and your gone, Turn Around and you're a Young Woman with Babes of you're own."