Does anyone else spend recklessly on their dd's clothes?

[Popparoo]

I have just read a couple of conversations about saving money on your child's wardrobe.
I spend stacks of money on my daughter's clothes and shoes. She has more clothes than she can ever wear including a lot of very high price designer wear!
My own wardrobe is quite ropey! I'm not quite sure why I spend so much - its not logical to buy more than she can ever wear. Does anyone else have the same problem?

[Enid]

I don't spend recklessly (can't afford to) but I LOVE buying clothes for dd, not necessarily pink and ruffly but there just seem to be so many lovely things out there. I am currently coveting a fab pair of brown suede boots for her which are completely impractical and I probably won't buy them - its just that they'd look gorgeous with her beige cord pinafore and chunky cream zip up sweater in the winter, then she could wear her cool knitted peruvian hat and scarf...etc etc. Sad but true.

Unfortunately dp and I both love clothes too so our combined wardrobe budget is a bit silly.

[Popparoo]

A friend of mine buys 7 brand new outfits from highstreet stores each season for each of her 2 children - one weeks worth. This seems a sensible idea to me! How many outfits is reasonable do you think?
I have got probably 150 or more autumn /winter outfits for my dd, bought from all sources from this season's brand new designer to car boot items! Myself, I have about 7 outfits, and less than that for dp. Do you spend an equal amount on your own clothes as on your children's?
PS I wanted brown suede boots for my dd too, ended up with groovy seemed purple suede ones from Clarks!

[trudles]

I have to say when In a clothes shop I'm like a kid in a sweet shop but Ive had to calm down my spending as dh is an accountant and bloody control freak when it comes to money.I dont buy designer wear but I do like next and adams. As dd goes to a private nursery a lot of the other children wear nice trendy clothes and I feel pressurised to try and keep up with the trend of buying nice clothes. But just contradicting what Ive just said I bought some jeans for dd from bwise today they were really cool with glittery stars on them an good quality too and they were only £7. changing the subject but staying with clothes why o why are do stores produce so many white tops when the first time your child wears it it gets a stain on it that you cant get out.

[Bozza]

Probably (including shoes) spend similar on DS to me. But kids clothes are cheaper so he is getting more but that is because he needs a complete wardrobe whereas I have items from last year and previous years. My MIL buys him quite a lot of clothes (generally cheap and sometimes dubious taste IMO - being objective not critical) so I end up filling in the gaps and buying things to match what she's bought etc. Really would love to spend more on him (and me) but due to financial constraints have to be sensible.

The seven outfits idea works OK if you have kids that can be relied on to only wear one outfit a day. For a recent week's holiday I took DS 8 pairs of shorts and 12 t-shirts - all dirty by day 5.....

[Viv]

I too love spending money on dd's clothes, I try to limit the designer outfits to one or two, but I can't go into Next etc. without buying something for her and if I go to France then I spend a fortune in their shops. In fact one of the drawbacks of her starting school is that I can't justify buying her as much stuff - sad aren't I.
However don't spend nearly as much on me, although this weekend that is about to change, a spending spree is definetly on the cards for me (and probably dd too)

[rosehip]

Before ds I went crazy shopping for dd. I truly felt I had an addiction for buying her clothes, accessories and shoes. I once added up how much I had spent in one 'season' and it was frightening! Then I discovered TK Maxx, then ds came along. At that time I did not somke or drink so I justified the spending that way. Ds is now 2 and I still do not SMOKE, as for the wine that now reduces the childrens clothing budget!!

[Popparoo]

Congrats on stopping smoking, Rosehip - certainly a great way to save money! Where is TK Maxx? Lots of people mention it here but I have never heard of it before!

[Azzie]

I never really bought loads of clothes for ds, and thought that I was quite a practical person who was not really interested in clothes at all - until dd arrived. She just looks soooo cute and adorable in some of the things I've bought her, I can't help it. I do try to buy from charity shops most of the time, but can't resist party frocks for special occasions (and brightly coloured tights for any occasion ). I buy very little for me - my excuse is that if I can't afford good well-cut stuff then I'll go without - but dd is such a slim little thing that she looks good in anything, so I buy for her instead. If it's really extravagent then it goes on my credit card and not the joint one, to avoid having to explain to dh just exactly why dd needed another outfit.

[Jasper]

Poparoo, you need a visit from Alvin Hall

[rosehip]

Popparoo - TK Maxx stores are opening up everywhere (try their web site to search for nearest to you) they are an American Co and their stuff comes from large department stores (past season - though you would not know). The kids stuff is particularly good for 0-5yrs, makes such as Abella, bonpoint, ysl, little angels, beetlejuice, oshkosh, gina divan. They reduce all stock which has been in store for 6 (I think) weeks, then they just keep sticking red tags on till everything is sold. You have not shopped until you been to TK Maxx. I am their No1 fan!!
It's a place where you just have to keep going and each time there is something new. PS No, I don't work for them - in fact I'd do so and take stock as payment!! Did I mention the lingerie and houseware?????? Go girl....

[Willow2]

Face it, buying stuff for your children is pretty much guilt free shopping. I will happily buy left right and centre for ds but would think more than twice about indulging myself to the same extent.

[MABS]

TK Max - heaven ..... first discovered it in the US several yaers ago and I'm an addict for the kids. Also brilliant for my own clothes - you know if you buy a cocktail dress there, no one else will be wearing it at the party!

[jodee]

We've got a Pumpkin Patch in our town, it's an Aussie/NZ clothing company; very reasonably priced and makes a change from Next! (They do maternity clothes too.)

[sb34]

Message withdrawn

[Popparoo]

Thanks v much for the TK Maxx tip, and Jasper who claimed I need Alvin Hall was probably right.
I always seem to have one area of my life which is somewhat out of control (OK, maybe a couple of areas). The only problem is that when I turn my attention to fixing the out of control thing, my focus comes off another area of my life and a problem springs up somewhere else!
Right now I am trying to be more sensible about my dd's wardrobe - but what is a reasonable number of outfits to aim for? Is 7 really enough?

[janh]

Rosehipp, I used to be able to avoid TKMaxx cos the nearest one was in Preston and I hate shopping there but have just discovered by accident that one has opened nearer, in an old Sainsbury's (I was going to Sainsbury's, honest!)

Have been twice in 3 weeks - spent £300 first time, took £60 back and then spent another £150, help.

BTW - not a lot of people know this - in the US it's TJMaxx but when they came over here TJHughes objected.

[Inkpen]

Popparoo - try H&M as well. Delicious clothes, wash well, lovely colours and nice and cheap so you can afford to indulge your passion and buy lots without breaking the bank! Just wish they did a points system ... Won't tell you how much I spent in there the other day, but my policy is to go in twice a year (spring and autumn) and spend up. Then I just don't allow myself to go into more expensive places at all. I browse catalogues as well, but it's easier to avoid impulse buying there!