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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is why people buy all brand new clothes for holidays?

545 replies

Kittythepink · 08/08/2020 20:33

We are going on a family holiday to the seaside tomorrow. I am so stressed under mountains of clothes to wash, iron and pack for five people.

AIBU to think this is why so many people go holiday shopping for brand new clothes? Put them straight into the suitcase what a brilliant idea! Wink

Seriously though, does anyone buy all brand new clothes for going away? I used to know someone who bought all brand new underwear and socks for each holiday, so maybe it's a thing?

OP posts:
Cassilis · 09/08/2020 11:19

@DelurkingAJ yes! 🤜🏼

Zoflorabore · 09/08/2020 11:20

When we are going on holiday abroad I buy the dc ( age 17 and 9 ) absolutely everything new because they are still growing and it’s much easier. I iron everything whether new or old anyway. I tend to have a suitcase with holiday clothes in for me and will add to it each time I go away, especially underwear, swimwear and footwear.

I’ve always done this. Also toiletries, everything new. We only have one holiday a year though.

MrsJBaptiste · 09/08/2020 11:20

@AfterSchoolWorry I don't iron either. I agree, it's just making work for yourself. Complete waste of time and energy

Don't you want to look smart though? Rather than like you've just pulled your clothes on?

honeygirlz · 09/08/2020 11:21

A tee shirt for a child in eg Next is coming up to a tenner, two euro in Penny's (Primark). So yes!

Fine to buy the £2 shirt but why so many? I see people’s baskets overflowing at Primark. I bet loads gets worn once and then discarded.

honeygirlz · 09/08/2020 11:22

I don’t think a holiday is a right to try new clothes for the first time, especially kids. Rashes from new clothes are common.

Smallsteps88 · 09/08/2020 11:23

Is it though from a logical perspective? Surely it makes more sense to have younger people who can toil, pay taxes & innovate as opposed to a load of older people living as long as possible on an array of medication.

For the planet? The best thing for the planet, not the humans on it, is for humans to stop being on it.

Smallsteps88 · 09/08/2020 11:25

A tee shirt for a child in eg Next is coming up to a tenner, two euro in Penny's (Primark). So yes!

Oh so a whole new wardrobe for the entire family = a child’s t-shirt.

Cadent · 09/08/2020 11:29

The best thing for the planet, not the humans on it, is for humans to stop being on it.

“Human beings are a disease, a cancer on this planet ... Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment; but you humans do not. Instead you multiply, and multiply, until every resource is consumed.”

getoutofthebin · 09/08/2020 11:35

For the planet? The best thing for the planet, not the humans on it, is for humans to stop being on it.

That's not what you said though, you posted this

No the best thing you can do for the planet is not to have children.

Which is what I responded too.

getoutofthebin · 09/08/2020 11:36

The best thing for the planet, not the humans on it, is for humans to stop being on it.

And what are you going to do about it? I'm assuming you're human.

drspouse · 09/08/2020 11:37

then why did you reference the med?
Your original point was about heat. I just picked somewhere hot.
I do wear the same wide legged linen trousers and long cotton tops in the office and visiting conservative villages in developing countries (though those visits are also for work as it happens).
If you don't want to wear the same clothes on holiday as at home fair enough but don't make out it's a life essential to have a holiday wardrobe.

speakout · 09/08/2020 11:38

Don't you want to look smart though? Rather than like you've just pulled your clothes on?

I don't care enough to look "smart"- for who exactly? So that I am not judged by others? I really don't care enough about people who may judge me for wrinkled clothes. They are not the type of people I would want to associate with.

pinkbalconyrailing · 09/08/2020 11:42

Don't you want to look smart though? Rather than like you've just pulled your clothes on?

I don't buy clothes in fabrics that look crumpled if not ironed.

stayathomer · 09/08/2020 11:42

Oh so a whole new wardrobe for the entire family = a child’s t-shirt.
No, look, I'd love to be able to buy good quality, eco friendly clothing, but it's not feasible with 4 children. A few tee shirts, some shorts, socks and underwear of good quality would break us, anyway. I'd love to, but we can't

user1497207191 · 09/08/2020 11:44

We only buy one or two new items each for a holiday. We tend to have "holiday" clothes that we don't wear when at home. We bring them home from a holiday, wash, iron and put them away, so they're ready for the next holiday. OH still has a couple of pairs of "summer" trousers that he's been taking abroad for over 20 years, since we got married, along with a few summer shirts. I tend to buy a new blouse for each holiday, but that's about it.

We've always been anti the modern trend of disposable clothing. We buy quality in the first place and expect it to last many years. That's not stupidly expensive fashion - more Next & M&S rather than Primark!

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 09/08/2020 11:47

I've just bought myself a load of new holiday stuff, as its been about 3 years since I bought myself anything new bar essentials.

A lot of my t-shirt have holes, lost shape, are ready for recycling.

None of the stuff I've ordered is fast fashion, its all classic stuff that will still look fine for a few years.

I like an overhaul now and again, but I never throw anything away that can't be sent to charity shop or passed on to a family member.

Smallsteps88 · 09/08/2020 11:48

And what are you going to do about it? I'm assuming you're human.

Address those who treat it badly in the hope they reconsider their actions and might start to think of the conditions their actions are creating for other humans and species on the planet.

What are you going to do?

Smallsteps88 · 09/08/2020 11:49

No, look, I'd love to be able to buy good quality, eco friendly clothing, but it's not feasible with 4 children. A few tee shirts, some shorts, socks and underwear of good quality would break us, anyway. I'd love to, but we can't

If you can afford holidays, and new wardrobes for holidays, then you aren’t so poor that you can’t buy quality clothing from reputable sources.

nanbread · 09/08/2020 11:51

I find this thread really depressing. So even if they're not buying a whole new wardrobe, many if not most people buy new underwear or tops every time they go on holiday? Why?! Can't you just wear what you wore the year before?!

AuldAlliance · 09/08/2020 11:51

GhostCurry & BinnyDinny

Donald Belsito is quoted more than once in the articles I linked. However, others are also quoted/referred to, incl. Hilary Baldwin, Susan Nedorot, Lana Hogue (not a dermatologist, a clothing manufacturing specialist), Ulrika Nilsson, David Andrews and this study, carried out in Stockholm:
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00216-014-7688-9

Here is another source, probably not related in any way to anyone called Donald.

Study by the French National Agency for Sanitary Safety
"Lastly, ANSES recommends reminding consumers of the importance of washing any clothing likely to come in contact with the skin before it is worn for the first time."

One issue is endocrine disruptors such as NPES (Nonylphenol Ethoxylate).
Another is carcinogens, such as formaldehdye and Quinoline.

Their effects are not immediately perceptible, obv.

The likelihood of anyone dropping dead from wearing unwashed clothes is obviously nil. Nor am I suggesting people get overly het-up about it. But the advice is to wash clothes before wearing, as many of these substances wash out (what they do to groundwater is another issue).

BertieBotts · 09/08/2020 11:54

To be fair, Next also sell t-shirts for £3. And Primark has some t-shirts for £10. It depends whether you're looking at "basic" ranges vs something with a licenced character or by some kind of designer.

getoutofthebin · 09/08/2020 11:54

@Smallsteps88 no, what are you going to do about the fact that humans should stop being on the planet? Just tell other humans this, ok....

Smallsteps88 · 09/08/2020 11:57

no, what are you going to do about the fact that humans should stop being on the planet?

Oh. Umm. Confused not really sure what you’re doing now. Are you ok?

cakewench · 09/08/2020 12:05

I’d genuinely never heard of people buying a suitcase full of clothes to go on holiday before today! The most we might do it make sure DS still has shorts that fit him, or bathing suit(s) for all. Holidays are often a time when we realise he’s grown out of his sandals as well. But just buying new clothes for the sake of it sounds incredibly wasteful. Especially as my warm weather clothes don’t actually get much wear in the UK, so they’re hardly ‘tatty’.

woodhill · 09/08/2020 12:07

No not this year but may have bought the odd new thing if needed then would wear at home as well afterwards possibly swimwear.

When Summer clothes shopping I may take my new clothes on holiday
or wait for the sales.

But I did buy a new raincoat this year for our UK holiday

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