“People are having trouble finding their way,” he said.

like Dapper Dan, Janelle Monáe andare known for their distinctive approaches to sartorial style — bold splashes of color, luxurious fabrics, playful construction, capes — but fashion savants and historians agree that a common thread weaves their tailored looks together: dandyism.

The history-laden style movement will be front and center as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute spring exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” kicking off with the biggest night in fashion,Inspired by Monica Miller’s book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,”on Black style and specifically menswear from the 18th century to present day, with dandyism as a unifying theme.

Andre Leon Talley arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, celebrating the ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ exhibition, Monday, May 2, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)Andre Leon Talley arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, celebrating the ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ exhibition, Monday, May 2, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)

Once used to describe the aristocratic style and leisurely pursuits of figures like Regency England’s Beau Brummell,

to embody liberation and resistance through exuberant self-expression., “What jobs do you see? What kind of things do they do?” advised Curry, who consults on career content for the PBS show “Skillsville,” which is geared toward children ages 4-8.

Once kids identify different jobs in the community, they can try those roles while playing at home.If children enjoy pretending to be a doctor, explain that nurses, X-ray technicians and receptionists also work in hospitals. If they love building with Legos, talk about how architects, construction workers, brick masons and welders all played a part in building a certain bridge, Curry said.

“If we were to give kids lots of exposure and access, and ask them, ‘What do you think of yourself in that career? It seems to me you enjoy this kind of thing,’ that can really open the door for kids to see themselves and those possibilities.” Curry said.There are many occupations that children don’t learn about in early reader books, which frequently portray police officers, firefighters or doctors. After finding no children’s books about public relations, Curtis Sparrer wrote one, placing a 10-year-old at the center of the action.