In the realm of children’s fashion, particularly for young girls, the options often boil down to short, snug, and pastel-colored garments. It’s a surprising reality, but not every girl is fond of clothes adorned with hearts, flowers, or princess motifs.
To address this glaring lack of variety, Emily Carter, the visionary behind Girls Can Be, took matters into her own hands. Inspired by her daughter, Lily, and her niece, Ava, who expressed a desire for attire devoid of frills, bows, and definitely no sparkles, Emily recognized their interests in activities like climbing trees, constructing LEGO structures, and engaging with cars and trucks.
When Emily scoured local retailers for suitable clothing, she was dismayed to find a stark difference in sizing. She meticulously gathered garments from both boys and girls, all tailored for similar age groups. The results were revealing: girls’ shirts were one to three inches slimmer, sleeves were notably shorter, and shorts for girls were often a mere third the length of boys’.
Some may argue that boys are typically larger than girls, but research indicates that girls generally outgrow boys until around the age of nine, as they enter puberty earlier. Reflecting on her own childhood as a tomboy, Emily recalled spending her days in short shorts and sparkly tops—options that were standard even in the 70s. She played with dolls occasionally, but her true interests lay elsewhere.
“We believe that girls and boys share more similarities than differences,” Emily articulated. “Every child possesses a diverse array of interests, from dinosaurs to kittens and football to ballet. They deserve clothing that mirrors their personalities and preferences. Clothing serves as an essential means of self-expression for children.”
In 2013, alongside her siblings, Emily launched Girls Can Be, a brand designed to provide girls with clothing options that feature an “in-the-middle” fit, available in a spectrum of colors and styles that move beyond the traditional princess and glitter themes. The debut collection was met with overwhelming success, selling out quickly and leaving the team eager to produce more. “Parents are clearly seeking clothing that transcends gender stereotypes and offers girls a wider array of choices in colors and styles than what is typically found in stores,” Emily noted.
Looking ahead, Emily shared her excitement for expanding the brand’s offerings. “We have an extensive wishlist of styles to introduce, especially swimsuits and pajamas, all reflecting our signature ‘in-the-middle’ fit,” she said. “We’re committed to ensuring that next summer brings an even broader range of not-so-short shorts.”
The journey of Girls Can Be is one to watch as it continues to challenge stereotypes and broaden horizons for young girls everywhere.
For those interested in fertility options and at-home insemination, check out this informative resource on IVF. Additionally, if you’re looking for products to assist in self-insemination, visit Cryobaby, a helpful guide, or explore the authoritative site BabyMaker.
In summary, Emily Carter’s initiative in launching Girls Can Be reflects a growing demand for diverse clothing options for girls, moving beyond conventional designs to accommodate a wider spectrum of interests.

Leave a Reply