Since when did the English summer start in February?

[DaemonsaFalcon]

DD needed new jeans, which is a nightmare in itself as her favourite style at Next has morphed into something awful. So we went to John Lewis only to be told that girls' jeans have been taken out of the shop to make space for the summer collection. In February! I appreciate the optimism that there is a sultry-shorts-only summer lurking around the next weekend but surely I am not the only parent whose children wear jeans all year long? The boy's department was still awash with jeans" perhaps it is run by someone who looked out the window and saw the rain. Or am I just too grumpy?

They always bring out the spring summer collection at this time of year just as they bring out autumn winter stuff in August. Thats why they have sales in Jan and July.

Although I have been able to buy girls jeans all year round - just try more shops!

Email John Lewis HQ

That's outrageous

You could try their website. I often find end of ranges there at reduced prices . you can order and pay on line and collect at the store, try on the jeans and reject them if you want to or take them home.

All shops do this and I hate it. I remember last year ikea's garden furniture came on sale while there was snow on the ground. When we needed new garden chairs in the summer everything had sold out. Thanks for the reminder OP, must start looking soon .

It never occurs to me to buy seasonal things until they've been in the shops a couple of months and there's only ever the dregs left and in clothing they never have my size left .

Last year I wanted autumn/winter boots and thought I'd got there in time when I started looking in late August, but no chance. The ones I wanted had sold out in my size.

I spent ages last week looking for a few jumpers for dd. nothing! Spit through cardigans and the rest cotton tops

DP wants a decent coat but can he find one? No. He was told to come back in August

YANBU. Seems retail live in a different world from the rest of us. perhaps someone should set up a shop that sales clothes that are relevent to the season it would probably do well.

It's crazy isn't it? I find myself stocking up on clothes for my DC so that I can be prepared for the next season, e.g. I will make sure I buy long-sleeved tops for them to grow into because the shops won't have any by mid March, even though it can still get cold in June/July/August. Last winter DD needed a new coat at the end of January (because the zip broke on her old coat) but I couldn't get one anywhere, I tried Next, John Lewis, Asda etc.

I am split on this one.

I know how frustrating it is trying to find something you need that is 'out of season' ie a swimming costume in january because my child likes to go to the swimming pool all year round. However i work in retail and they plan their clothing lines and all the marketing months in advance so it would be a huge upheavel to change it.

DD works for a clothes shop and has to wear the clothes they sell in the shop. Therefore, they will quite soon be putting out the spring clothes. Trouble is, they are also not allowed to shut the shop door and she works in Edinburgh. It's freezing this time of year (and for a few more months too).

Obvious answer is Ebay. Kids' jeans, good quality, a pound or two tops.

But yes, agree it's annoying when shops / seasons are out of whack.

Gap did lovely colour pop jeans last summer

My DDs were born in January and Febuary. Trying to find them their first non sleep suit outfits was a nightmare.

What on earth is the point of selling 0-3 month old summer dresses in Febuary? In three months just as the weather warms up, they will be too small.

Likewise in July the shops start selling winter baby clothes.

It's irritating enough for adults, but it's down right stupid for babies who are growing really quickly.

I have just bought my DDs' swimsuits for the summer - lots of choice and sizes. Last year, when I looked in May, they had all but sold out.

Agree op it is maddening and I've only just got used to this now after years of not getting the timing right (live abroad where clothes are either v. v. expensive or v. v. cheap with little decent middle range stuff in between) so always have to buy on-line for dd's clothes and do it twice a year, once mid Feb for summer clothes (shorts, dresses, t-shirts etc) and once end Aug for winter clothes (coats, trousers etc.) Need to plan budget accordingly in order to buy everything at once (and always buy big so that there is growing room).

However, jeans are pretty much all-year-around wear so surprised they have been taken out of John Lewis. If it's any help, we've just bought two nice 'skinny style' pairs on-line for dd, one from Gap and one from Boden.

Last summer was a classic example: dd was only interested in wearing shorts in the summer, and I remember looking on about eight different shops on-line at the end of June/beginning of July and there was not one pair to be had in her age range.