To ask for your advice on children's clothes purchasing?

[judybloomno5]

Do you have any tips that stop you spending too much money? I'm slowing packing up DD1s 2-3 year old clothes as they've started to get a bit short in the leg as she's leggy and I've got a ridiculous amount- shameful really. Thankfully I have a DD2 who will benefit from them.

Do you have any tips? Which brands are the best at staying in one piece etc?

From about 12 I just gave the kids the money and let them pick what they actually wanted and needed.

Aside from a few hickups like DS1 buying shorts and sandals in OCTOBER it's been mostly OK.

I find H&M and M&S wash well, plus are meant to be fairly ethical for high street brands. Tesco and Matalan are ok as well, but Asda and Primark poor quality and inconsistent sizing.
I've stopped buying clothes in mothercare (apart from the odd little bird thing) because they go bobbly before DS has grown out of them.

In general I'd rather spend a couple of pounds more and have something that can be worn again/passed on then something that will only be good for fabric recycling. Though I do keep the odd food stained/bobbly thing for wearing in the house/messy activities etc.

With the expensive things I try to buy things that aren't too obviously boyish so that a future DD can wear them if I have a girl next. Less of a problem with things like vests and t-shirts that are more likely to get ruined.

I do return unwanted gifts if they are duplicates or wrong size for the season etc.

What do you think of Jo Jo clothes? I liked the colours (Navys, pinks and reds) and thought that they have a good resell value and so far have washed well. I thought if I buy a lot of the same colours (like navy and red) then they will create good little outfits.

Im trying very hard to minimise what I buy next time as Im conscious a lot of it ends up in landfill doesn't it? I want stuff that I can pass on or sell rather than stuff that has to go in the bin.

Like I say I really like the Jojo jackets - the kids got rain jackets from Jojo at 18m that they were still wearing at 4(!), and their 3-4 winter coats are still decent now that they're nearly 5. They just seem to cut them in such a way that they look OK over the two years, or maybe they are just cut big and rely on the fact that a small kid in a slightly too big jacket is always cute...

I was really into the Jojo clothes when the kids were small and they're very hard wearing, but now they're old enough to have an opinion they don't like them.

Jojo- lovely stuff but only ever buy in the stuff. All of its needs ironing though which is a problem in an officially non-ironing household. Other stuff is fine when hung up properly. Jojo not so much.

*only ever but in the sale I meant

Chelazla - I am careful to check description and seller feedback as I've been caught out before on some items but overall most secondhand stuff I've bought has been excellent condition. Generally looks unworn or barely worn.

You need less as they get older. They get through clothes when toilet training. Clothes use really tails off when they get to school. You do need multiple seasons in the same size as growth slows.

I mainly buy from Morrison's and Sainsburys. DS2 is still wearing items bought nearly 4 years ago for DS1 that have had continuous use.

Having sons is probably easier for keeping to a more functional and mix and match wardrobe. Items like socks I tend to buy several packs of the same style to make matching easier. When we were toilet training, I bought several pairs of plain tracksuit bottoms.

My DCs have definite opinions on their clothing (since the age of 2) so buying in advance or without their involvement is risky.