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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To dress young daughters the same

318 replies

Theorangeorange · 20/02/2019 15:10

I have two young daughters (2 & 4) and I love dressing them in matching clothes - for reference they both love it too and get excited when they have the same on. I would stop when they don't enjoy it of course.

It's not every day, but for occasions they'll usually have the same on, perhaps in a different colour but matching.

I haven't ever given it a second thought until someone asked me whether I was concerned about them "not developing their own individuality" I wasn't!! Though I'm interested to hear thoughts......

OP posts:
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MiceSqueakCatsMeow · 20/02/2019 17:36

My sons wanted to be dressed the same at this age until eldest was about 7. I thought it was weird but I don't choose their clothes.

Theorangeorange · 20/02/2019 17:38

What a mixed bag! Thanks for your thoughts.... I do it because it's easier (saves any arguments because they'd obviously both want to wear what the other does) and because it's cute and they like it.

The eldest will probably want to stop by the time she's 5/6 and develop her own sense of style (weep) so we'll all enjoy it until then.

I'm shocked that some folks are so appalled by it and find the over use of the term "naff" on the thread so ironic, especially since I haven't heard anyone use it IRL since it was emblazoned across our jumpers in the 90's! Grin

OP posts:
altiara · 20/02/2019 17:41

I like it! It’s useful if you ever lose a child in the park and think I need to remember what they were wearing so I can tell someone. Mine are girl/boy but I find bright orange is always a useful colour to stand out at the park.

Cheeeeislifenow · 20/02/2019 17:42

*i think little girls dressed the same look sweet

But sweet and cute are only positives until the age of about 4. Then they become negatives very quickly.*

Do they? How?

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 20/02/2019 17:42

It really makes me cringe when I see it but thankfully it tends to be only certain groups of people who do it round where I live. It’s up there with mummy and me outfits, slogan T-shirt’s and baby clothes with Mummy’s little angel etc and group photo shoots where the family are all wearing jeans and white T-shirt’s and barefoot

squeakyshoes · 20/02/2019 17:45

I'm shocked that so many people don't like it Confused I think wee ones look so cute in matching outfits.

It seems like people are looking to be angry and offended at everything these days.

tried20names · 20/02/2019 17:48

My 2 were given matching PJ's for Christmas and the 3 year old gets so excited when I put them on him and his brother so I recently bought them some matching outfits. I don't see the harm - they'd only be wearing jeans and a top of some sort, chosen by me anyway; so not exactly an expression of their individual personalities. May as well be the same if it makes them happy.
Plus matching outfits makes it easier to pick them out when we are at soft play etc - bonus!

Katterinaballerina · 20/02/2019 17:48

At best it looks try hard and at worst it looks creepy.

Bumblebeezy · 20/02/2019 17:49

I think it's cute!

Seline · 20/02/2019 17:49

I just think it looks creepy when you see a family all dressed the same.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 20/02/2019 17:50

It's different for each person.

I hate it and never dress my children the same. The only time I would is if they were both bridesmaids or similar where they would obviously wear the same.

I hate it on twins but it seems even more ridiculous on children who aren't.

Bellatrix14 · 20/02/2019 17:51

I think it looks very cute personally, and if they still like it then I don’t see how anyone can object!

My grandma also used to do this when my mum and my aunt (2 year age gap) were little as she said that if she ever lost one of them it would mean that they were very easy to describe and spot as she could say “she’s wearing this outfit!”. She didn’t ever lose one (obviously I hope nobody on this thread does) but I can see her logic Smile

Apple103 · 20/02/2019 17:51

I dont like it either. Arent they different people? I always come across people who do this because they want little princesses. Even worse and naff is the mommy and me outfits. Just why?

G5000 · 20/02/2019 17:52

I can understand that you didn't like it yourself, especially if you were the older/plainer one. I was always heavier than my sister, and if we were dressed the same, we would have looked like Weightwatchers before/after ad.
But OPs kids like it.
I really don't see what's wrong with it. Easier to spot them. I can assure you my DC have plenty of chances to show their individuality despite matching outfits.

To dress young daughters the same
ShinyRuby · 20/02/2019 17:52

Ahhh so many unkind & judgemental comments on here! Ignore them OP, as long as you & your dds are happy then who cares what anyone else thinks? I bet they look lovely & it sounds like they're happy little girls. I have the same age gap with my dds & I dressed them in the same outfits occasionally! I stopped when my eldest was around 5 but still like looking back on the photos now. You know you won't be doing it forever & of course you know they're individuals! Some people take things like this waaaay too seriously. You enjoy them.

SabineUndine · 20/02/2019 17:52

My mother used to make my clothes when I was small and she made clothes for me and my brother out of the same fabric. So that was a brown dress with cowboys on.

fulltimeworkingmotherof4 · 20/02/2019 17:53

I dressed 2 of mine the same, there's only 11 months between them and they would always wear the same. They are 9 and 10 not so they don't anymore although they do have some of the same items. They make their own choice now. I think it's cute!

Seline · 20/02/2019 17:53

What's a mommy and me outfit?

SoSaidTheHorse · 20/02/2019 17:56

I hate it. It looks creepy and reminds me of those Mormon(Not regular Mormons) cults and other Christian cults where the children often have the same outfit and hairstyle.

notacooldad · 20/02/2019 17:58

I can't remember how old I was when I started hating but I really did hate it! I am the older sibling. I hated hearing people saying how cute we were. I don't want to be as cute as my younger sibling!.
Our nan made us jumpers to match. No one wore the Fair isle sweaters that's she made us so we stood out even more.
Even now when the photos of our childhood comes out and we are all dressed the same, like there was no other options in the shop I feel my blood pressure rise.

Of course each to their own? I never did it with my kids.

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 20/02/2019 17:59

@seline matching mother and daughter outfits.

Walnutwhipster · 20/02/2019 17:59

DM did it to my sister and I and we both hated it. I cringe when I see it on twins, let alone siblings.

3in4years · 20/02/2019 17:59

How do you get to tell a 4 year old what to wear?

dreichuplands · 20/02/2019 18:04

My dd has some of the same tops as her cousin, I just checked what she thinks, she says it is fun. They are both 10 and don't see each other that often.

notacooldad · 20/02/2019 18:05

It seems like people are looking to be angry and offended at everything these days.
It not about being angry and offended these days, I was angry back in the day.( not offended, that would be silly)
It was like we were being on parade. OAP's would say ' oh, aren't they cute' like we were a show piece. There was comparisons on how we looked. I was a couple of years older and gangly . It just drew attention to us.

It made mum feel good, people admiring her kids but from a child's perspective it was horrible.

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