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My mother has given me £100 but only to be spent on DS's clothes. She is mad, but help me find him some decent clothes

44 replies

Hopefully · 08/10/2011 19:32

My mother has just announced that DS1 looks like a pauper. Not something I'd particularly noticed/been bothered about, but she has told me to buy some clothes and she will pay. DS1 is 3 (don't even get me started on spending that much on clothes for a 3YO). The saving grace is that we also have DS2, so the clothes will at least be re-used. Don't even get me started on the fact that I look more like a pauper than him. At least I can spend some of my pennies on me now... Grin

£20 is already allocated to waterproof trousers, but the rest is there to use. He really needs some t-shirts and a couple of sweaters, has lots of trousers (even some that pass my mother's 'pauper test'). Possibly a body warmer or something.

Suggestions for where to buy? We normally buy his clothes in the charity shop so haven't a clue where has reliable quality. M&S? Boden? White Company? Help! Online would be great, as can't be bothered with clothes shopping with DS1&2 in tow. Also she can approve it before handing over card details (she's stood next to me now, tutting about his clothes as she does all my ironing. I'm looking as contrite as possible so she doesn't get cross and stop ironing Grin Wink)

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Hopefully · 08/10/2011 19:33

And don't even get me started on my ability to use 'don't even get me started' several times in one paragraph. My mother has that effect on me.

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incognitofornow · 08/10/2011 19:35

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katz · 08/10/2011 19:38

have a look at pumpkin patch - lovely clothes wear and wash really well and if you use this code before the end of Oct you'll get 20% off and free delivery UKBGSTF

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WhereTheWildThingsWere · 08/10/2011 19:39

I'll try not to get you started.....

Personally I wouldn't buy stuff from Boden or White Stuff for a 3yo and to be blunt £80 really wouldn't get you much anyway.

I would be spending it in H&M, good quality and reasonable prices, plus generally quire funky and unusual. Most of ds's H&M was still in good enough condition to hand on to his sister.

M&S have some nice basics but it's a bit 'meh'.

Washes really, really well too.

Kids online

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Carrotsandcelery · 08/10/2011 19:40

For little boys, H&M is great, as is Gap since you have the cash, and Boots are great for wee boys. Mini Boden is lovely but £80 wouldn't go far tbh - it depends how much you need.

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SoupDragon · 08/10/2011 19:42

Pumpkin Patch is good, H&M also good (and reasonably priced).
I also like Blue Zoo stuff from Debenhams.

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WorzselMummage · 08/10/2011 19:42

Have a look in Boots, great quality proper clothes for little boys, reasonably priced.

Sainsburys do some nice stuff too.

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Hopefully · 08/10/2011 19:44

We don't need loads (well, I don't think we need any, but I think my mother is expecting me to come up with perhaps two or three t-shirts and one nice woollen jumper for that? Perhaps a jumper, t-shirt and body warmer? No more than that, certainly). Most important thing really is a jumper, as he is a little bit short on the jumper front (read: he has two jumpers. In total)

Thanks for all the suggestions, will check out sites and see if there's anything that meets her high strandards.

Any more suggestions v welcome!

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Mammonite · 08/10/2011 19:46

get a co-ordinating outfit (t shirt, fleece, trousers, bodywarmer , maybe trainers) so that whatever he normally looks like you have one outfit you can put on him to look smart when your mum is coming over! Pumpkin patch do have good sales and lots of co-ordinating stuff, and Gap seems to last forever. Shame we no longer have Adams!

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Alibabaandthe80nappies · 08/10/2011 19:46

I have bought some lovely things for 3yo DS1 in John Lewis for this season.

Boden is good quality, but very expensive - eg. £22-29 for one pair of trousers whereas you will get a pair of trousers and a couple of tops for that much in JL.
I am a nightmare for spending too much on him - especially now we have a DS2 as well - but even I baulk at Boden prices unless I can get things in the sale.

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BikeRunSki · 08/10/2011 19:47

H&M stuff is fun and variable quality. Their ski type winter jackets and salopettes are excellent, and I have kitted out DS (also 3) for the inevitable snow we have had every winter since he was born.

Jojomaman Bebe have some simple but excellent quality clothes, which your mum would like and will last through to DS2. There's usually a JJMMBB code knocking around too.

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SoupDragon · 08/10/2011 19:47

If you buy T Shirts cheap in the sale, you can team them with plain long sleeved tops from, say, H&M for a layered look. I do this a lot to extend the life of summer clothes and it can make the money go further.

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TheProvincialLady · 08/10/2011 19:48

I agree with Debenhams. I too would not waste the money in Boden etc. M&S can be good too but it depends on the branch and when you go in. How about a decent winter coat? That would be something worth spending the money on.

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Alibabaandthe80nappies · 08/10/2011 19:50

Yes - Blue Zoo is lovely, and Gap.

I get quite a bit for the boys in Sainsbury's as well - the quality is very good and the prices are very reasonable. They do 3 packs (on a hanger but 3 together IYSWIM) of long and short sleeved t-shirts which are great.
You perhaps won't be able to pass much on to DS2 though, or only as mucking about in the garden clothes!

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Waswondering · 08/10/2011 19:51

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Carrotsandcelery · 08/10/2011 19:55

If you are splashing the cash then Joules usually do lovely winter fleeces and jumpers. I won't link as I don't want to look and be tempted. Ds doesn't need any new jumpers. Grin

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Hopefully · 08/10/2011 20:18

Shock gilets are bloody expensive! Think we'll be scratching that off the list

but if my mother gives us any more money he is so having a joules gilet.

Having lots of fun looking at sites and plotting one civilised outfit for DS!

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katz · 08/10/2011 20:29

M and s had some gilets in nice colours

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mamalovesmojitos · 08/10/2011 20:32

Yy to h&m. Du pareil au meme also has really lovely, long-wearing clothes which look a lot more expensive than they are. Also have frequent and real sales. A nice coat always makes a person looks smart. Enjoy shopping Smile.

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SoupDragon · 08/10/2011 20:32

this looks good value.

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Meglet · 08/10/2011 20:35

Gap have some stripy long-sleeved t-shirts in, £8 each. I find that stripes tend to last as you can't see the stains Grin.

Agree that Boots and H&M also have some gems.

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SoupDragon · 08/10/2011 20:37

I love this jumper and it would also go with the padded waitcoat in my previous link.

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bishboschone · 08/10/2011 20:42

Next have some lovely brightly coloured gilets about £12-15.. I ot mynds a green one..it's lovely

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Carrotsandcelery · 08/10/2011 20:43

Next do still do some nice bits and pieces. You just have to hunt for them now rather than being spoilt for choice.

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Northumberlandlass · 08/10/2011 20:51

Absolutely agree with H&M. I spent £91 there in the summer and bought DS a funky fun new wardrobe...seriously I had bags & bags.

I honestly wouldn't buy expensive stuff if he is 3 and anything like my DS!Smile

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