Many children tend to cling to favorite clothes. Eventually they all outgrow it.

I'm going to show this to Mrs. Bucky as assurance that my 20-year old sweatpants are simply a phase I'm going through.

My daughter was very sensitive to fabrics when she was younger and, at 14, there are still items that she will not wear because they are scratchy or are uncomfortable. This might be one reason why this child doesn't want to wear long sleeves.

I like the suggestion to let her choose the outfit. I would also add:

1. Let her help in buying her clothes. If she chooses an item, she's more likely to wear it.
2. Ask her why she doesn't want to wear sleeves. Are they too hot, too scratchy, too tight, ugly colors (personally, I hate the normal winter and fall clothing colors), etc.?
3. Let it go for a few days and see if she comes around on her own. Don't give her the power by letting her know how important this is to you and that you are upset. Have several weather appropriate items in her favorite colors available and see if she picks one on her own.
4. When you are out and she complains that she's cold, matter of factly offer her the long sleeved shirt or hoodie that you just happen to have available. If she doesn't want it, say "Okay, too bad, it would keep you warm" and just go on with what you're doing - don't take her inside to get warm.

Let her progress on her own and have a say in what she's wearing and I think you'll be okay.

Written by a Mom who STILL remembers the horrid, ugly blackwatch plaid jumper that I had to wear in 3rd grade 45 years ago! I hated that thing but my Mother liked it, so I was stuck with a dark, ugly, itchy, wool jumper.

Clothing battles are one battle that I just don't do. If my daughter wants to wear striped pants and a plaid shirt, I let her. I think one of the best things I ever did for myself as a parent was letting go of what other people think, and I think sometimes moms are far too vested in how a child'a appearance reflects on us. It's not worth the battle. Let her wear the short sleeves and toss a jacket into the car in case she gets cold.

One thing that has helped is when something is truly not an option (such as wearing shoes outside), is to give some choice in the matter. "We have to wear shoes outside, but you can pick which ones. Do you want the pink tennis shoes or the brown boots. You pick." Once my daughter realized that if she didn't pick in a timely manner, I would pick for her, she put her shoes on.