My mum has bought DD a dress knowing we won’t like it.

I love it OP 😊

I wonder if you Mum is like mine, OP? Has to control every situation, has to be the centre of attention, numero uno all,. the. fucking. time. My mother used to undermine myself and DH constantly. This is the kind of thing that she did that would have made me see red. "I bought something for your child to wear at your first birthday party, taking the decision out of your hands AND I know you will hate it," It's territorial pissing, which is why I voted YANBU.

Is the frilly bottom bit detachable? If so, take a photo with her in the complete ensemble for Grandma, then ditch the frills and the bows and let her run around in it at home on her birthday.
She will quickly outgrow it and with any luck it will be too small in a couple of months, or certainly by next spring/summer.

@Glasscabinet , I don’t like it either. Just dress her in it, let your mum take a couple of photos and then changer her into something more comfortable. Next year provide your mother with a gift list.

Dress drama, talking about boundaries for a bloody gift? Happy to only have boys.

Grandma bought an impractical outfit. Pop it on, take pictures, and make grandma ridiculously happy. Take outfit off immediately or at next diaper change.

life doesn’t have to be this hard.

Is it a dress? It looks like a baby grow with a separate tutu to me. The matching socks are cute.

Yes, some people gift clothes you don’t like. Agree with sticking them in it for a few photos then popping it on Vinted. Lily is a very popular name so you shouldn’t have too much trouble passing it on.

Dramatic.

Oh that is horrid.

But it's a present, and your DD won't care what she is wearing at that age. I would put her in it for a few pictures then change her to something more comfortable for playing in.

Lol I know you're getting a lot of grief here @Glasscabinet , but I actually do understand.

It's not so much the buying of the outfit, but it's the expectation of her wearing it on a special occasion where you'd probably like to choose something yourself, or already have something in mind, and it has made it awkward not to go with your mum's dress now.

I have similar with a Halloween outfit this year. Little one has a dress-up day at nursery and MIL has given us a hand-me-down dress from one of her friends' grandchildren. It's not anything like what I would have chosen for her and we were given it too early to be able to say we already had something else. Her dress-up day is on Halloween, so no other occasion to wear it. Obviously it doesn't really matter and she'll wear it as it would be a waste to get something else now, but sometimes you just like to choose something yourself for these once-a-year occasions don't you? For them to look cute in, and keep photos of.

It's not like I'm hopping mad, but it does make it awkward if you turn the outfit down. I do think it's quite cheeky for your mum to order this with the expectation that your baby actually wears it on her birthday - surely she assumed you may already have an outfit in mind.

I think it’s vile. But your and my opinions don’t matter, the point is that OP doesn’t like it and her mother knew she wouldn’t.

Why would you deny your mum the pleasure of her DGD wearing a dress she's bought for her? Surely DD wearing something that's not to your taste for a few hours, after which you can change her, doesn't matter so much that you'd withhold this simple enjoyment from your own mum? I doubt very much she bought it to spite you, just presumably loved it and hoped you'd make an exception despite it not being to your taste. Why does everything have to be a battle?

This.

Yeah, I'd be wincing and annoyed at the wasted money (that in my case could have been spent on more useful things) especially as she knew you would hate it, I agree with the majority, stick her in it for a few photos and then put her back into normal clothes. It's been bought now, theres nothing you can do. I've lost count of all the dresses, big puffy flowery coats (when we already have suitable coats) and ugly sequined blouses that have been bought for my girls by the grandparents. They both hate them. Irritating.

It's horrible. Put DD in it, take a photo (preferably a poor one) to print and give to your DM, then take DD out of it again and dress her in your own choice of clothes for her birthday. If your DM had thought you would like it, it might be different and you might need to be kinder, but she knew you wouldn't.

The thought that's counts?

The thought "I bought you something o know you will hate" isn't endearing is it?

Oh the outfit is delightful! Why wouldn’t you want your daughter to look like a beautiful baby girl?

Very tacky! Put it on her for photos, then give her spaghetti Bolognese to feed herself with. Obviously will need a bath and change!

Thats a bit melodramatic. Still wouldn't care though.

Unclench!!! Just put her in it, take some pics, say thanks so much mum thats kind of you, and change her when she eats.

God, some of the hideous outfits I had to wear as a kid that my gran bought me! Suck it up, put the child in it and take a pick for grandma.
It’s the thought that counts…

It’s not about whether DD cares, it’s about whether OP has the right to dress her own child in something OP chooses and likes, on DD's birthday, rather than something OP's mother likes but knows OP won’t.

I wonder if op mum is on MN ,that could be gey awkward.

It’s revolting.