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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I cannot find decent clothes for DD!

40 replies

Mitebiteatnite · 02/07/2019 17:15

She's 12, always outside riding her bike or climbing trees, often in the woods opposite our house. That's fine, I'd rather that than her stuck indoors all day like her brother
But I just cannot find clothes that withstand that kind of activity! She needs jeans with titanium knees or something. I guess part of the issue is that she wants to wear jeggings because they're stretchy, but they are totally useless. Constantly snagging on brambles or tearing on her bike pedals.

AIBU to think that clothes for kids, and particularly for girls are just no good these days?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitebiteatnite · 02/07/2019 17:17

Strikethrough fail...

OP posts:
marvellousnightforamooncup · 02/07/2019 17:19

They're shit for boys too. All ds's trousers are through at the knees, including his reinforced knee school ones.

Original poster
Mitebiteatnite · 02/07/2019 17:22

Oh I know it's not exclusively girls clothes, I've bought her boys clothes before mainly because they seem to be more generously sized. Everything for girls is skinny fit too, and although she likes jeggings for comfort, she doesn't like skinny joggers or tight t shirts. Shorts are another bug bear of mine, all the girls shorts I've found are basically hotpants, which she won't wear because you can see her pants under them!

OP posts:
SkintAsASkintThing · 02/07/2019 17:24

Asda sell extra thick leggings, I wear them for cycling and even I haven't worn them through. Can't remember the name but they're in the sports section.......they're plain black. My DD lives in them too with a long hoodie.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 02/07/2019 17:25

buy pairs of cheap joggers, like these for going outside. they stand up to climbing etc reasonably well, but they are cheap enough to replace if they rip etc. i also found that ironing these onto the knees of the jeggings helped protect them, although if she is climbing trees then they are almost inevitably going to get ripped at some point x

Original poster
Mitebiteatnite · 02/07/2019 17:26

skint like gym leggings? She'd probably wear those with a long t-shirt over the top maybe.

OP posts:
SkintAsASkintThing · 02/07/2019 17:26

And I honestly think this is the price we pay for wanting stacks of cheap clothes. The quality just isn't there.......years ago people would have 2 or 3 outfits and maybe a best outfit. The clothes were built to last and be passed on.......whereas now even proper denim (( not that crappy mixed stuff )) is hard to come by.

Original poster
Mitebiteatnite · 02/07/2019 17:27

I get that she's going to rip them at some point, but it's just how quickly they wear through usually that pisses me off. She's had a few pairs that haven't even lasted a week!

OP posts:
SkintAsASkintThing · 02/07/2019 17:27

Mite yes........I got them because they're pressure type ones so keep my fat arse in place when I'm on my bike 😂😂😂 they're totally different to normal, thin leggings.

bridgetreilly · 02/07/2019 17:28

I don't know. I don't think clothes ever really stood up to brambles and bikes and scraped knees and that sort of treatment. And I think it's fine to wear clothes that are a bit ripped and stained for those activities. You don't need to get new ones instantly.

Areyoufree · 02/07/2019 17:29

The quality of girls' clothes is definitely worse - especially shoes. Drives me crazy. And all the shorts are so sodding short! Same for women's clothes though - it's impossible to find well-made, decent clothes (with pockets). Am happy to pay more for things that will last!

Princessdebthe1st · 02/07/2019 17:30

I feel your pain! My DD also like to be outside climbing, running, riding her bike. I agree with you about a lot of girls shorts being far too short. I have usually bought boys shorts but now as she grows up and gets more curvy they don’t fit well either. Previously we have got jersey trousers from Sainsbury’s (their school range) which were so comfortable, could be worn in all weathers except very warm weather and were perfect for being really active. Sadly she has now grown out of their largest size (12-13) and I can’t find any equivalent anywhere else Sad

SkintAsASkintThing · 02/07/2019 17:31

This is them. They even have pockets. I love a pocket.

direct.asda.com/george/women/leggings/black-super-sculpt-leggings/GEM696690,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C33

implantsandaDyson · 02/07/2019 17:33

My 11.5 year old wears a lot of sports leggings from Primark and H&M. Her shorts are the smallest size from Primark. Shes really happy with the coverage and she won't wear short shorts. I've recently got a couple of pairs of 3/4 length sports leggings from H&M. I'm not sure how enforceable the knees are Grin but they'll have to do.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 02/07/2019 17:33

Shorts are another bug bear of mine, all the girls shorts I've found are basically hotpants, which she won't wear because you can see her pants under them!

oh i had this issue too. if you get a pair of cargo shorts like these out of the boys section and iron a couple of flower patches like these onto the back pockets, you cant tell they were 'boys' shorts. of course, if your dd doesnt care what they look like then don't bother, mine was just a fussy dresser Confused

CMOTDibbler · 02/07/2019 17:33

Lands End do girls trousers with reinforced knees

ErrolTheDragon · 02/07/2019 17:34

I'm not sure what they have for this age but it might be worth checking the outdoors shops - mountain warehouse, Cotswold type of places. Clothes actually meant for being active outdoors in.

Original poster
Mitebiteatnite · 02/07/2019 17:36

sleep oh they look good. She'll not be bothered about them looking like boys shorts she'd veto anything with a flower on anyway Grin

OP posts:
MitziK · 02/07/2019 17:49

Could riding clothes be tougher? They're designed to deal with repeated friction, after all, whilst remaining comfortable and stretchy.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 02/07/2019 17:58

Could riding clothes be tougher? They're designed to deal with repeated friction, after all, whilst remaining comfortable and stretchy.

that's a fab idea, it might be worth the OP looking for some jodhpurs

BullBullBull · 02/07/2019 18:00

At lest you get a big choice for girls. The boys section is always tiny compared to the girls

Original poster
Mitebiteatnite · 02/07/2019 18:11

Bull it's only a big choice if your girl is happy to wear girly clothes! I've always had issues with DD because everything is either too pink, too tight or too frilly!

OP posts:
OneStepSideways · 02/07/2019 18:18

Which brands are you buying?

I find the more you pay the longer they last. High end Scandi brands seem particularly hard wearing, thick good quality cotton leggings with reinforced or quilted knees. Try Albakid, Beau Loves, The Animals Observatory, Papu Stories etc.

CherryPlum · 02/07/2019 18:20

Mountain warehouse shorts are very durable. My DD hates skinny jeans too, and would live in joggers. Gap stuff usually lasts and washes well, also Fatface.

N0tfinished · 02/07/2019 18:26

My boys wear those skinny track pants. I've found the Canterbury rugby ones wear the best. They have gone through 2 boys with no holes! I think they do girls ones too.

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