To use the childrens' coats from last winter again this winter?

[Purplegirlie]

Am I? Both of my younger childrens' coats still fit them perfectly well. They were both bought brand new about a year ago from M&S and are in great condition.

My mum says I'm being unreasonable by not buying them new this year. I say there's no point spending £60 or so when they each have a perfectly adequate coat.

How odd!
I let dd1 wear coats until they don't fit but they normally do 2-3 years, and then pass onto dd2 who wears them again for same time, unless they are broken, manly or tatty!

yanbu. DS2's coat is getting its 4th year of wear, after DS1 had it for two and he had it last year. DD's baby coat is getting its 3rd year of wear after both her brothers had it. Your mum sounds like a barking wolef lady.

I have just put a girls coat in the charity bag because it's still ok.

I bought it at a car boot for £2.00, my eldest wore it for 3 years and then my youngest wore it for 3 years.
Loads of people admired it (navy duffle), and I always told them with pride what a bargin I'd got.

Unlike the mum who then went on to tell me she had paid £60.00 because it was only for school.
And before you ask yes I also wear clothes from charity shops and car boots so there is no telling how old our clothes are.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE MORE MONEY THAN SENCE.

DD2 has a new coat because her arms are 6" longer than they were last year (and the hand me down one from big sister she hated and didn't really fit, they are very different builds)
DD1 has a fleece, various waterproofs and a smart coat of various ages. Given they are all adult sized 12ish I'm assuming like my things they will continue to fit for many years to come.
I assume your mum would be horrified that both DDs are still wearing last years winter boots.

I used to see the DDs very distinctive fleece in town from time to time. I sold it at a nearly new sale and I suspect it did several other little girls in the years that followed.

Good lord. One winter out of a coat. Any less than two and I'd be annoyed!

same as many other posters I buy DS coats deliberately too large so they last as long as possible. He has had a couple that have done 3 years + (he is six)

I then sell them on at nearly new (hmmm not really nearly new I suppose). I expect a good quality coat such as M and S to last . The ones I have sold have been Gap or jojo and honestly look in good condition after three years.

I just bought DS a new coat in age 6-7 but had to size down in the end as it was just too huge for him at the moment. So I ordered the size down and kept the big one too for him to grow into. (strangely his age 6-7 togz coat was LARGER round the bum area than my size "medium" merrill coat

Of course yanbu[hshock].

My kids have last years coats. I bought them roomy last year. I had never considered it might be unreasonable. DS's coat was only £2 in the sale as well.

I would love last years coat to fit! There is no way I'd buy a new one unless absolutely necessary. It would be a waste of money and resources.

YADNBU.

I was given a coat last year that fit DS, it just about fits now and I've been given 2 more coats, 1 big and 1 huge. They shall last until he outgrows the biggest.

I also have one that won't fit him until he's about 12 (he's 7 now!), it's an animal one so he'll appreciate it when it fits and there's no harm in it staying in my wardrobe until then. Same with clothes/shoes. I have ones stored that he won't grow into for a year or 2 but why spend money that's not necessary.

YANBU - but my mother was just the same and still likes to intimate the dc are deprived because in spite of spending £34,000 a year on their education I made their coats last and only bought them one pair of shoes at a time. Don't take any notice, but it does hurt.

Why on earth would you think this was unreasonable if they still fit?!

YANBU ...although my mother is buying DS1 who is 17 a winter coat for his birthday without reference to me as I have refused to purchase yet another coat that gets left on buses or at college ( 3 in 5 months) and I certainly wont buy anything from Superdry ( a whole other thread of hatin' there)

I buy my DDs coats for 2 years - so far I haven't been able to pass DD1's coat down to DD2 as she tends to grow like a loon so tha she doesn't fit into it anymore - she jumps two sizes every other year or so... However, they are good coat and I take them to the local charity shop because I know someone will get good wear out of them.

I think YANBU and your DM IBU and very materialistic. We try to bring up our children to value the things that matter - doing well at school and working hard, spending time with family and friends, being creative and enjoying life. We don't have a flat screen TV - DH's colleagues have professed themselves amazed that we won't get one because we could afford it. Our car is 10 years old and still going strong. A lot of our furniture is second hand and we don't replace things until it's really needed. We have no debts, and that is a very safe feeling.

You are being very sensible OP - you are giving your children love rather than new coats. Good for you!

Sounds like it's not really about the coats at all, your mother is just casting about for a way to make you feel bad and that was the best she could come up with.

YANBU! If they fit perfectly whats the problem?

I'm currently on the hunt for warm wool coats for my children and am looking at buying a year older than they are to get the 2 years (minimum i hope) out of them.

OP can i ask if the M&S is great quality - i've seen a duffle coat that i like the look of but seems that most wool coats are only 50% wool or less - is that usual?

Thanks for the hijack!

50% wool is pretty normal - makes them less scratchy and easier to clean. DDs' coats said dry clean only, but when she fell into a pond I ran it through the washing machine and it was fine. I get coats for the DDs from Next, they usualy have nice duffles.

Thanks Pointy do you find them warm enough? Have seen some nice ones at M&S, JoJo and Vertbaudet but don't know what to go for. Its going to be their only coat for the winter so i need to get it right! Thanks again

I got my girls duffles from tesco a few years back they are great

My mother was the same this week. My toddler daughter had a couple of coats left over from last year, they still fit. My mother insisted they looked too small and so went out and bought her a new one (as an early birthday present for her). My daughter's wardrobe is bulging with coats and clothes and I've only ever bought her a few things myself.

Twins are in the same coats as last year.
DD1 is now on her 3rd (yes 3rd) year of her M&S coat bought when she went into reception. Will just about get another few months out of it!

I always feel stupidly proud of this!

Hi Cobblers have definitely found them warm enough - obviously they have scarves, hats and gloves given our recent spate of winters, and they wear their school jumpers too, but they have been great, and have hoods. They are very good value for money at about £34 each (for a 7 YO and a 9YO lasting 2 years). Previous coats have been same price, lasting same amount of time and have been immaculate for passing on afterwards, so really good quality. M&S have not had suitable things when I've been buying so haven't gone that route, but if you have very tall DCs (and I do) they are good as a lot of their stuff comes up big.

Verging on child abuse i'd say. Ha ha
Seriously though, what if you couldn't afford new coats?

YANVU. Growing up. we only got new coats when ours did not fit. I have to admit, coats to me are like shoes to some people. I had 17 coats up until 2 weeks ago, I have donated 3 since them. I do wear them all, other than those 3 though.