Spending too much on children’s clothing

[muddypumpkins]

I spend a ridiculous amount.

My first baby was a boy. I didn’t like the clothes available in Tesco and Asda so looked at the higher end brands to get the sort of things I liked. During lockdown when he was a newborn buying him nice clothes felt like something to look forward to.

Second baby was a girl. I loved the girl stuff available, the floral and ditsy prints and the colours and bought a crazy amount. I know it isn’t necessary and is a waste of money. I know I should buy second hand but just can’t bring myself to unless it’s someone I already know passing stuff on.

I am partly wondering if anyone else is the same and also admitting how daft it is on here to cull my habits somewhat!

I have one DD (now nearly 9). I spend/spent loads on clothes because I hated the typical supermarket pink when she was a baby. We got given gifts that were not to my taste and were never used. I disliked cartoons, writing (mummy's little princess) and brands (think baby Adidas etc.).
I don't regret a single thing even though I see now I was up my own arse.
Honce she started school I calmed down - spends 95% of her time in school uniform or hobby uniform.
I allow her freedom to chose and my eyes hurt sometimes but it is important for her to develop her style.
I always sold/donated her grown out clothes and funded new purchases this way. I do now shop more on vinted etc.
I do think that it's your choice if you don't have debt and are paying your bills if dressing your child the way you want brings you happiness - do it. Just try not to be too precious about letting them play in mud/water/ sand etc because you don't want their clothes to get ruined. I always had (Lidl) rain trousers and coats for this purpose

Ah, that makes me feel better! I don’t like cartoon characters either, or brands.

You’re right about letting them play though. I do find the Scandinavian brands pretty good for that and JoJo Maman Bebe. DD has a lot of stuff from Next, I do like disty florals.

Mine got almost everything from a charity shop.

I did find them generally less good for boys so ds started getting new things from about age 5yo, but the girls pretty much got to secondary without much new stuff.

I used to enjoy the thrill of the chase really. You went into a charity shop and didn't know if you'd come out with three lovely items, still with tag on, for no more than £5 total, or nothing. I'd buy for a few years ahead too.

Try it.

I definitely don’t have time to traipse around multiple charity shops @MargaretThursday !

If I was inclined to buy second hand I’d probably do Vinted. I do occasionally buy from there but I’m not a massive fan, which is my issue, I recognise it’s stupid.

I’m like this. For me buying high end ‘good quality’ designer brands (Ralph Lauren / Lacoste etc) used on ebay along with H&M is a good compromise.

We had 5 within 5 minutes of each other in town. I'd normally pop in after toddler group when I was waiting for the bus, and I could do the lot in 30 minutes. Totally different if you don't have them close together really.

Maybe see if you have one good one locally (we have one specialising in children's stuff-unfortunately it opened too late for my dc, but I do go in from time to time and get things for my nieces and nephews when my sil sends a message what they need). And you can look to pick up basics and a bit of other stuff, which will save a bit of money.

I’m not a massive fan. I honestly do know that’s stupid but it doesn’t make me any more inclined to go. Plus, it would be a trip into town (petrol and parking) and then walking around multiple shops with a toddler and preschooler just isn’t much fun.

I have a rule when buying for our baby DS that not more than 10% of what I buy is full price.

Sales, charity shops, hand me downs. I've had some lovely John Lewis, Next and Jojo Maman stuff from our local charity shop sometimes with the tags still on. Most recently a gorgeous little Jojo jacket, absolutely like new and still for sale on their website for £28 as part of a two piece set. £1!!

As a PP I also buy ahead when I see something good in a sale or a charity shop. He's not 6 months yet and I've just started a '12-18 month' storage box with stuff from end of summer sales and people clearing out summer clothes ahead of winter.

I've absolutely made the mistake of buying too mich for him and him not getting decent wear out of things especially up to 3 months, but when I haven't spent more than £3 or £4 per item I'm not as stressed out by it.

I've got better since my young adult dc was born. When they were younger. I got everything in Next John Lewis, Adams Kids. I'd say at least an outfit a week. Absolutely no 2nd hand , as a young mum I thought people would think ill of me ( yes stupid)
Dc2 was similar
Dc 3 I was terrible for new outfits, but did like supermarkets so was much cheaper and didn't mind 2nd hand.
Last dc was lockdown and I just what ever I could get online, 2nd hand , supermarkets etc.

But with all of them it's absolutely NO character clothing , things with transfers as they're a mare to iron.

Pj's Occasionally character but that's it

Footwear is always start rite and Nike/ Adidas etc.

I still spend around 150 a month but for example the last 2 months I've been sorting winter wear and coats. This month they both need wellies and trainers also will get Xmas jumpers. So always thinking ahead I guess

No. Nearly everything DD owns is second hand. Even shoes I usually buy new but unwanted from Vinted.

Our children would rather inherit a habitable planet than a photo album of them looking glamorous.

Very occasionally I'll be tempted by something beautiful in a high street shop, and some toys (especially ones with hair) aren't as nice once they've been used, but my first port of call if she needs anything is Vinted or charity shops.

Do you sell it on? Some of it really holds its value up to abut age 1.5 years

It does ease off as they get older. Clothes last longer before they grow out of them and as a PP said, they need less if they wear school uniform. Mine still wear t-shirts they had 2-3 years ago. They both have a clear hierarchy of clothes and wear their 2 favourite outfits whenever they are clean, so that covers most weekends!

I do sell on Vinted but I don’t find it holds value at all, which is fine, I sell just for storage rather than profit!

And yes, DS starts school next year and I’ve definitely found each year he’s needed less. I still splurge on a decent winter coat but it’s mostly jogging bottoms and tops / jumpers. I still buy nice ones but they don’t have the sentimental attachment of the baby outfits.

Vinted is definitely the way forward here.

I mean doesn’t it depend on your income and priorities? Our rules are 100% cotton or bamboo and I’ll spend quite a lot of shoes/coats etc but also happy with supermarket and next when I like the colours and prints, I wouldn’t spend more just for the sake of it. Love JL sale too. We get gifted a lot of clothes from super generous family too.

I don’t spend more for the sake of it. I just don’t find supermarkets have clothes for boys I like much, although I have found a few nice things in Morrisons and Sainsbury’s sometimes. I just didn’t like the endless dinosaurs, black / navy / khaki, Mickey Mouse sort of designs for a baby.

Yeah I would be the same - I do find lovely stuff in next though! And now he’s choosing his own which is somewhat more garish!

I do sales or under a certain price. It helps set some easy boundaries and means I know I have to walk away from some cute stuff but I can't justify too much when it gets worn for a year max and food etc on it.

At the same time you get this time once and are allowed to enjoy it and have standards as long as you're not going into debt over it. We could have saved a bit by using more gifted stuff and buying second hand. I put my 1st baby in some knitted things from relatives and he looked so ridiculous that I stopped. I still donate all the cheesy slogan clothes and things people give us which does feel like a waste but I just can't stand them.

I could spend an absolute fortune on DC clothes but we don’t really have the money and I really love a bargain. I don’t rate charity shops at all for kids clothes near me but Vinted is brilliant.

Whenever I see something that’s too expensive for me to justify buying, usually brands like JoJo Maman Bebe or Next or whatever, I search for it on Vinted and a lot of times I’ve found it there in good or new condition for a very reasonable price. Going into Vinted knowing what you want and what you’d be willing to pay is a great way to get the good stuff without paying so much.

I could afford to pay more but I prefer to get bundles. Usually with good brands like JoJo and John Lewis etc in. Especially before the age of about 5, I'd get a Gumtree bundle, usually £10 or £20 quid for a whole wardrobe full. New shoes, underwear, maybe party clothes.

Hate the feeling of spending money on clothes then being annoyed if they don't like it /trash it first outing.

I generally prefer to buy secondhand, from Vinted or charity shops, but I don’t think badly of people who don’t. After all, they’re the ones donating/selling the clothes so that people like me can buy them!

If you're buying more outfits than they can wear in an average week then maybe that is too much. You could still buy the nice quality/ design clothing but less of it. I like JoJo/Boden etc but I buy in the sale and resell it after on vinted.

I just want your vinted username from the sounds of it haha.

I have phases for my toddler where I spend far too much then realise I just have too much stuff and she will never get round to wearing it. HM have a brilliant returns policy and the website let's me return far after 28 days so if it's not worn and a return is possible I'll do it same as next.
I don't mind second hand and vinted etc for nursery and play days but when I've got my limited time with her I put her in stuff I've specifically chosen for her.