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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate most kids clothes these days (lighthearted)

234 replies

TeenTitans · 27/04/2019 08:13

Babies and toddlers in ripped jeans, demon jackets, leather jackets and girls with huge bow headbands on to loudly proclaim THIS BABY IS A FEMALE CHILD. It looks ridiculous. Leggings, slogans, it's just all so tacky. I hate most kids clothes I see. It's so ugly.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
eastmidswarwicknightnanny · 27/04/2019 13:11

@icerebel nothing particularly fun and on high street I can pay £12 for a decent tshirt and resale value lucky to get 99p for bundle on Ebay. Scandi and ogranic brands pay £15-20 for a top lasts really well and then resale is around £8-14 condition dependant so net cost is £5-£7 a top.

Welshwabbit · 27/04/2019 13:11

I've never had a problem finding stiff I like on the high street. I like bright colours (particularly rainbows) and love the Jools Oliver Little Bird range at Mothercare. I get most of my boys' clothes from H&M - lots of nice bright plain or striped stuff there, bright cord trousers, tops with great animal patterns. They also do plenty of sequinned Ninjago tops which I'm less keen on but my 7 year old loves. And he's the one who's going to wear them, so I want to buy him stuff he likes!

Aprillygirl · 27/04/2019 13:12

'Proper' dresses as opposed to what kind of dresses OP?
I think there's a lot of snobbery on this thread, and would much rather my daughter was wearing comfy old leggings to race around in than be restricted but looking pretty in an impractical dress.

Original poster
TeenTitans · 27/04/2019 13:13

For preschool I have specific clothes that are just for preschool. Usually plain joggers for boys and a plain top.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeenTitans · 27/04/2019 13:14

How is it snobby? I pick up things new and in sales and second hand, it doesn't have to be expensive

OP posts:
DefinatelyAWeeGobshite · 27/04/2019 13:16

Oh yes the little bird range from mothercare! I forgot about that, I’m off for a look online

SarahTancredi · 27/04/2019 13:18

What should girls wear to pre school?

Aprillygirl · 27/04/2019 13:19

The way you keep referring to the clothes you dress your kids in as 'proper.' Wtf does that even mean? What's a proper cardigan or a proper dress? Please explain,because some of us might not realise that our kids are wearing improper clothes,and that would never do.

Aprillygirl · 27/04/2019 13:20

What should girls wear to pre school?

Proper dresses of course Confused

Original poster
TeenTitans · 27/04/2019 13:21

For girls I'd probably go with a jersey dress and tights although my DD is too young to go yet so I may change my mind!

Traditional is what I meant. I like traditional clothes.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 27/04/2019 13:21

Yes we much teach our young girls they must always look prim and proper. No room for practicality.

IceRebel · 27/04/2019 13:22

nothing particularly fun and on high street

Ok I took two scandi / organic brands mentioned on this thread and found 2 random t shirts

www.welovefrugi.com/baby-toddler-clothes/tops-and-t-shirts/tresco_t_shirts_2_pack_take_off_multipack.htm

www.kite-clothing.co.uk/collections/toddler-boys-tops-t-shirts/products/toddler-boys-t-shirts-whale-of-a-time-t-shirt-spring-19

These are bright and colourful, but no different to high street brands. I understand the quality might be better but the price reflects this. I just can't see how people claim the high street is full of boring dull clothes. [confused[

direct.asda.com/george/kids/tops-t-shirts/sea-creature-t-shirts-3-pack/GEM681496,default,pd.html?cgid=D25M1G1C1

direct.asda.com/george/kids/tops-t-shirts/blue-whale-t-shirt/GEM681466,default,pd.html?cgid=D25M1G1C1

WombatChocolate · 27/04/2019 13:23

Isn’t this thread simply saying that as parents we like different things?

So, some people like more classic children’s clothes and some like more of what reflects current fashion in adult clothes.

It seems those starting the thread want affirmation from similar mummies with similar views that their view is best....but it’s just a view isn’t it.

Are people basically saying they don’t like the look of children who don’t look typically middle class? That’s what it sounds like to me - like they dress their child to be clearly middle class and judge families whose children are dressed differently. But they don’t want to say they dislike other classes or their kids so make it about clothes. Perhaps they aren’t aware that this is what they are doing.....but it is!

Clothing choices for ourselves and our kids is very much about indicating to the world which tribe we belong to, however much we like to think we just wear what we like. Some people want their kids to look middle class and buy the standard brands which they associate with classic kids clothing. Travellers might like to dress their kids in bling which signifies their group. They won’t like your Biden outfits anymore than the yummy mummy won’t like a designer velour tracksuit with diamantés. It’s all just a choice though. And shops cater to demand and there are places for all.

KittyInTheCradle · 27/04/2019 13:23

With the likes of ebay and charity shops finding all manner of things shouldn't be an issue. I'm lucky as I live in a city with lots of charity shops but ebay has clothes by all the brands mentioned by posters above, going cheap!

I know this might make me sound like I'm from some bygone era, but learning to sew is a great one. Kids clothes (especially little dresses) are really easy, quick and cheap to make once you know how, and you can buy like 1 meter of beautiful material and that will do you for a basic dress for a 5 year old. 2 meters for an elaborate dress with sleeves and full long skirt. Can take only an hour to make with simple styles!

KittyInTheCradle · 27/04/2019 13:25

btw I am NOT middle class and work a lot, so don't have loads of time, just was raised by a very DIY/thrifty mum without a lot of money, she taught me to sew and it's been a great skill to have

SarahTancredi · 27/04/2019 13:26

Potty training and tights are not a good mix.

You seem to care about what they look like over practicality

Original poster
TeenTitans · 27/04/2019 13:26

It's not about class Wombat, anyone of any class can buy these clothes.

OP posts:
KittyWindbag · 27/04/2019 13:27

I don’t want my kid to look like a baby Royal, I don’t want him to look like a miniature teenager. But what I DO want I can find really easily on the high street, mixing and matching between Next, M&S, H&M and so on.

As your kid gets older you realize that practicality and comfort are paramount. Little girls in dresses and tights look gorgeous but I’ve seen some having a bit of a hard time negotiating soft play because of the outfits their parents have insisted on.

It all falls apart when they get to 12 and reject all your ideas and want to wear false eyelashes and tracksuits or buckets of eyeliner and goth gear.

KittyInTheCradle · 27/04/2019 13:28

@WombatChocolate

I agree there is a little snobbery with this kind of stuff.

In my experience traveller kids are the best dressed kids :D But that's my bias

Whyohwhydo · 27/04/2019 13:29

I live in a Scandinavian country so it’s interesting to hear so many love the style!
Have you seen ARKET? Just bought a few stripey tops for my boys from there.

Personally I love Petit bateau for basics-costs a little more but worth it and they have nice simple styles. I also buy from GAP kids .

I tend to buy less and spend a bit more. Plus they are handled down so cost per wear works out well.

Sunshineface123 · 27/04/2019 13:29

£127 for 6 year olds school coat?!!

Let's face your child needs to be clean and comfortable and able to play like children. Tights and dresses are not suitable playing clothes in my opinion.

Nothing wrong with the odd peppa pig t shirt either 🤣

sighrollseyes · 27/04/2019 13:30

I agree! I like nice traditional, plain type children's clothes and it's virtually impossible to find them anywhere!

WombatChocolate · 27/04/2019 13:31

Of course anyone can buy any clothes. Criticising others’ choices which are not your own though is often a way of criticising or pointing out class differences.

For instance people often go on about small children with earrings. It’s often a choice which reflects class (or cultural heritage) and an obvious outward signifier ....so an easy thing to criticise.

If you don’t like earrings don’t have your child’s ears pierced but why does it become an area so many comment on. Starting threads on something is a way of commenting on it and looking to find agreement and affirmation often if a prejudiced view.

Kitsandkids · 27/04/2019 13:31

What annoys me is when shops assume toddler girls want to wear clothes in the proportions that (perhaps) teenage girls might. I was looking at shorts for my nearly 2 year old in one shop and all of them were hot pant type size with the crotch lower than the legs. Surely they can’t because comfortable and their nappies (if still in them) would hang out of the sides?! I got some nice bright ones from the ‘boys’ section that had much longer legs. And I’ve noticed boys’ t shirts are often much wider/thicker material than girls’ t shirts. Why?

Aprillygirl · 27/04/2019 13:33

Ah so if it's traditional it's proper? I get you now op. As in I get that you are a judgemental,sexist snob who should be more worried about your kids growing up with that same superior attitude that you have rather than what they are wearing (lighthearted).