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

Honestly, this is the kind of stuff I would and did get annoyed with when DD was around the same age. I pushed back and my mum got onboard. Now DD is 4, very strong willed and her self styled aesthetic seems to be magical glittery unicorn rainbow frills with a side of sequin hearts 🤷🏽‍♀️

I wish I had saved my outrages and chilled out a bit.

Is this really the hill you wanna die on?

Am I missing something? DD won't give a shit. I used to dress my son in any old crap

Must say, I agree that it’s absolutely awful - and I love a bit of pink! What stands out for me is that your mum knows that you won’t like it; that’s not on, really. Just accept it as graciously as you can (“kind of you to
think of her”), but don’t put your daughter in it and then forget it. She gets to buy it - but that doesn’t mean you have to have your daughter wear it…..

For what it's worth when dm gave dd her foofy princess dress, she loved it. I didn't, but she had great fun wearing it before she ripped it up. Your dd may like it even if you don't. She was also fully capable of crawling and playing in it. Not sure why people think a bit of frill will stop a 1 year old from playing

What if it was handmade with indifference by someone trying to afford some vodka?

Quite apart from what the dress looks like, your mum is BU in buying that - it's up to you, not her to dress your DD for her birthday occasions.

Just tell her you won't be using it, and either have or are going to buy something you prefer and you hope she kept the receipt.

Really? It looks like something from Shein to me

Such a fuss over nothing. Unless you and your mum don’t get on and there is a back story I can’t believe this would cause you this level
of upset. My mum liked more of the pink girly dress than I did but it was something we both used to josh each other about. Be very careful being such high maintenance at such an early stage as soon you may need her help with childcare.

I don't think you can stop your mum buying things just because you see them as pointless etc. However you absolutely can and should decide what your own baby wears. It's irrelevent whether everyone thinks the outfit is nice or not.

I've found that you really don't get much chance to dress young children up so sorry I wouldn't let anyone else but my dd's dad have a say in what she wears for her first birthday party. If mum is saying she specifically has to wear it for an event then I'd tell her very clearly no. If mum is happy to just let her wear it randomly and get a few photos then I'd probably let her do this. There's no law saying that you have to though. It's your baby.

I wouldn't pussyfoot around it and make excuses or let the baby poo all over it or anything daft like that. You're just creating more work for yourself and mum won't get the hint. Just tell her clearly that it's your baby, that you get to ultimately decide what she wears and that you disapprove of once only clothing for ethical reasons.

There are some really nasty people on this thread, it's clearly been handmade with love by someone trying to support their family.

Put her in it and then hand her some chocolate birthday cake, problem solved

Omg that’s horrible. I can’t imagine who designed that and thought it was a good idea.
As pp have said put it on your dd, few photos then put it at the back of a drawer until she’s outgrown it and return it to your mother as a”keepsake”

That's lovely

Drama llama. Dress her up in it, take pics, job done. Put her in something else. The top is a onesie isn´t it, found those super useful paired with leggings.

Besides the fact it's truly awful, I think dressing baby for their first birthday celebration is something parents like to do and your mum is BU for assuming her choice takes precedence.

It’s hideous, but does it really matter?

I’d put it on her, take some snaps, then take off all the frills and just add some leggings or whatever to the onesie.

This

It’s a bit odd—skirt/socks/headband all very frilly/tulle/satin, but the top is literally a cotton babygrow?

Meh. There are worse things.

This.

Even if you like it you’d have to admit that it is wholly impractical. How on earth is a baby supposed to be able to play with all that frilly stuff?

Either give it back and say not a chance is she wearing that, or if you’re feeling more charitable, put her in it, take a photo, send it to your mum, and dress her in your choice of outfit on her birthday.

I agree. You’re under no obligation to dress your child in something you don’t like just to please someone else, she isn’t a dress-up doll. Even worse when they bought it knowing you wouldn’t like it.
”Why haven’t you put her in the dress I bought?”
”Well you said yourself we wouldn’t like it so…”

Plus, it’s hideous!

Personally, I think it is hideous, but I agree with other posters that it would be a good idea to take photos with your baby wearing it.

It's a piece of clothing.
Your dm probably got carried away with her idea of cuteness.
She loves your dd and all the drama fuelled comments by pp's are ridiculous.
If your dm is normally a reasonable person then it's not worth getting worked up about imo.
In 30 years your dd may well be on MN complaining about you because you bought a cute top for your dgc.

Crikey, I can see your dilemma. Say that it's a fire risk?

I agree with OP that it's hideous, but taste is subjective, so not everyone will agree. It's a waste of time us arguing whether it's cute or cringe.

The main thing is, OP hates it. She doesn't want her kid paraded round in this vile tat and she shouldn't have to. Her mum said she said she was aware they wouldn't like it and bought it anyway so sod her. I could say to my mum "Soz, Mum, it's vile. I just can't." and we'd all have to get over it. It's not worth getting an ulcer about.