Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to put my DC in matching clothes?

171 replies

Chocoholic26 · 10/03/2020 20:26

Just out of curiosity really. I put my pair in matching clothes the majority of the time. 19 months between them. Mainly because it’s just easier when buying clothes to buy two of each. Just wondered how many people think it looks a bit naff and how many people do/would do the same as me?

OP posts:
feministmyarse · 10/03/2020 22:44

I hated this as a kid! Was so embarrassing please don't do it.

Ohyesiam · 10/03/2020 22:45

It was my very favourite thing as a child. I loved being dressed like my adored big sister.

Dipi79 · 10/03/2020 22:46

It is ugh AF. I don't even dress my twins the same, as I just think it's twee.

Xmasbaby11 · 10/03/2020 22:47

2 years between my 2 dd and I did it a bit when they were little. It was cute imo, they both liked it, and easier to keep an eye on them in the playground.

Now dd are 6 and 8 and they choose what to wear. They have a couple of matching dresses, which they sometimes wear at the same time but often wear differently eg different cardigan or leggings with it. I can't imagine why it would bother anyone unless maybe it was exact same outfit and done v often.

nestisflown · 10/03/2020 22:48

I didn't like it as child but if your boys enjoy matching when they notice then why not. I do think they are getting to an age where it's a bit weird to be orchestrating their outfits like that, and the older one would probably appreciate choosing his clothes himself (within reason...I know 4 year olds love wearing snow boots paired with their spiderman costume at the peak of summer)

Lostkeyagain · 10/03/2020 22:49

I loved it when my granny made the same dress for me and my cousins and we all matched. I think it’s great if the DC like it.

newmumwithquestions · 10/03/2020 22:49

At 2 and 3 mine loved it. Wanted to wear the same stuff all the time. At 4 and 5 they do it less though - it tends to only be onesies they have the same now.

Where possible I let them choose what they wear. Usually they choose different things but still like wearing them together - eg they will choose a top from the same shop in different styles. If one wears that top the other wants to wear the one they chose at the same time.

They swap clothes all the time now and fight over things though - would make it easier if they had exactly the same!

SistineScreamer · 10/03/2020 22:50

Someone I know does this. Same clothes, same hair styles, same shoes, even same fucking socks. I just think it's tacky as fuck. Is there a need for it?

Ludways · 10/03/2020 22:52

I'm 5 years younger than my sister, we used to wear matching outfits on occasion. We hated it, sister used to hate wearing clothes also suitable for someone 5 years younger and I got to wear everything twice, once the first time round and again 5 years after they went out if fashion. Shit all round.

JoshArcherStoleMyTractor · 10/03/2020 22:55

Sunday I had a leisurely bath and got myself dressed, during which time DH got DS dressed, we both ended up in navy and mustard, I changed my cardigan. I hate matching siblings, co-ordinating parent and child etc it's a bit vomit inducing.

millymaud · 10/03/2020 22:58

It looks a bit odd to me because one is always taller so looks strange.

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 10/03/2020 23:05

Oh I actually think it’s quite sweet looking. (Obviously only if the children are ok with it or don’t care and not every day. )

Moo7878 · 10/03/2020 23:07

I also am not a fan.

I remember an instance where we were away camping with a friend with twins, the weather had caught us out so we headed to a local outdoor shop to buy a coat. I remember her commenting that she 'couldn't' buy a certain coat she liked for them as they only had one not two (even thought the shop was full of other, different style coats). I was a bit Hmm.

Amanduh · 10/03/2020 23:08

Its cute on little ones. Not all the time but sometimes is cute! Can’t see why it’s ‘tacky’ ffs.
You do you op!

GreenTulips · 10/03/2020 23:11

I’d never of course force them to match if they didn’t want to and I’m sure that will come in time

You are already doing this subconsciously.

Dauphinois · 10/03/2020 23:18

Nope, I don't like it. I did it once for a wedding but not regularly. I also could never be organised enough with laundry to have the right outfits clean at the same time.

Doesn't the younger one wear hand me downs from the older one?

Gilead · 10/03/2020 23:20

I have twin dds who were never matching. Last week they went shopping together (23 now) and got identical sweatshirts.

Frazzled2207 · 10/03/2020 23:20

I have never done it, boys 20 months apart.

I genuinely don't get the buying two of everything because it's easier argument. I buy elder son stuff and most of it eventually ends up in the drawer of younger son.

They have matching pyjamas bought by their dgm but rarely actually wear the same ones at the same time.

AccioCake · 10/03/2020 23:25

Another one here who thinks it looks naff. I don't get how it's any easier when clothes shopping.

I have a friend who has a 9yr old and a 3yr old and dresses them the same everyday. Even the same trainers/wellies, same coats, same pyjamas. I don't know the logistics of it. Does she tell her eldest to get dressed then matches up the younger one after? Or does she tell the eldest what to wear because that's what she's planned for them both? My DS is 9 also and he goes and gets himself dressed. He'd look at me like I was mad if I told him exactly what to wear, as I assume my friend must do with her DS.

Lynda07 · 10/03/2020 23:54

Gilead Tue 10-Mar-20 23:20:29
I have twin dds who were never matching. Last week they went shopping together (23 now) and got identical sweatshirts.
..........
That happens even with friends. Doesn't mean they'll always be wearing them at the same time and if they don't live together it will almost never happen.

penmanship · 10/03/2020 23:57

Hugely naff for me, I think it looks really silly. I have twins and have always dressed them differently - they're two entirely different people and have turned out to have totally different tastes in clothes. I also don't get it when people say it's "easier" - I couldn't think of anything more faffy than having to search through clothes to find the "matching" pair of trousers when you're trying to get them ready in the morning.

Ineedcoffee2345 · 11/03/2020 00:02

I do. Two girls aged 2 and 4 months. I love it. Not every day obviously but often. Donr care who it offends. Grin

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 11/03/2020 00:15

Yes, my youngest does wear hand me downs but mainly jeans, leggings, coats etc that last. Tops tend to get stained easily and have to get chucked. I get it if there is a big age difference then it would look a bit odd. Much easier for buying in my opinion. Impressed some 3/4 year olds can pick their own outfits. Mine would leave the house in their pants! They literally don’t care. Slightly concerned I’ll have 75% of people now judging me though when we walk down the street Grin

OP posts:
ArabSprings · 11/03/2020 00:18

I do it with my two very little daughters (both under 3), and only at an important event such as a large family bday party or a family wedding. Definitely not for their everyday outfits but then I don’t judge others for doing it every day if the kids don’t care or even like it!

TerrorWig · 11/03/2020 00:19

"Don't they're individuals!"

Hmm FGS when they're toddlers and have no say or thought about the clothes bought for them why does it matter? When they get older and express a preference, that's when you get bothered about matching clothing. Also, as parents, you buy and dress your children so by definition you are imposing your own style on them anyway!

@penmanship yeah I've got twins too, but sometimes they were both wearing identical white babygros. Can't say it's hampered their individual sense of style now they're older.

OP, do what you like. Sometimes my son likes to wear a stripy jumper the same as mine, it's nice Smile. In general we're all in variations of jeans and t-shirt.