When to buy child's winter coat

[WiggIyWoo]

I need to buy my 3 year old a new coat for the autumn/winter. I'd thought back to school time was around the right time but there still seems to be loads of summer jackets and generally summer clothes in the shops. We got her last one in John Lewis and there's nothing equivalent showing on their website. Am I looking too early? I'm sure we always used to get our winter coats at the end of August but then I lived in Scotland where autumn comes early! If I wait a few weeks do you think more will be available in the shops or do I just need to choose from what there is?

I’d say lots more will be coming. I’m waiting for them to appear properly in supermarkets but I think it’ll be at least the beginning of September/removal of the “back to school” seasonal stuff.

Start looking in places like mountain warehouse or Regatta newish and buy them a bit big to accommodate jumpers.

Outdoor/camping shops usually have some good sales this time of year and you can get actually waterproof and warm coats. Lots of the supermarket/high street stores the coats are showerproof and more about fashion than warmth.

I got a lovely coat reduced from £60 - £17 for DD at Regatta last autumn.

At that age they don't often wear them out so I'd check ebay

That should say Nowish rather that newish.

Also forgot to mention Lidl if you need waterproofs. They usually do a waterproofs week around this time of year and the quality is fantastic. We get a pair of the trousers whenever she outgrows them and they're properly waterproof which is great for rainy or snowy days.

@didireallysaythat

At that age they don't often wear them out so I'd check ebay

Curious what you mean by this? Last winter's coat was worn from about October to May (as the weather was so awful!) as we're outside most days for walks, at playgrounds etc. Do you mean because young children often take off their coats/refuse to wear them? I want to get one I really like because I feel like you need to look at the damn thing so often!

And thanks for the responses so far. I've found outdoor shops like Go Outdoors have lots of things in age 4+ but less in smaller sizes - maybe need to have another look though. Daughter is small so definitely don't want bigger than age 3-4.

I think wait. I need to get Ds some ‘wintery’ bits and I noticed two weeks ago shops were still selling thin leggings for example, and a few days ago some more knitted, of fleece lined winter ones are popping up.
I imagine coats the same. Another 2 weeks and you should have a better choice.

@WiggIyWoo

At that age they don't often wear them out so I'd check ebay

I think the poster means that children often outgrow their coats at that age before the coat is worn out (ie tattered, torn etc) so to check second-hand places such as eBay.

Debenhams has a great regatta sale on at the moment. Lots of clothes reduced by over 50%.

If I bought new I used to buy them in the January sales for the next winter.

However with ds I don't buy them any more. he hasn't worn any form of coat in about 5 years so I'll save my money.

I just got one for DS1 in Next (size 3-4) and ordered one online for DS2 from H&M (size 1.5-2).

I agree though, I expected to see more by now and the pickings were slim. I was afraid I would miss out on sizes if I didn’t buy early.

@WiggIyWoo

@SkepticalCat was right - sorry for not being clearer.

I'd have a look on ebay at e.g. polarn o pyret - coats are way made better than those you can get new in supermarkets etc, really expensive brand new and you'd be crazy to splash out when they wear well and are great second hand.

Great, thank you everyone. Hadn't thought of some of these brands and will check out ebay too.