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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
crushedfence · 09/08/2020 19:04

@Smallsteps88

I've made a lot of generalisations on this post

That just about sums up your post, yes.

Signed, working class, single parent, in a too small private rental, who hasn’t holidayed in years.

Did you miss the part where I said there were exceptions to every 'rule' I'd set out? Or were you just too desperate to post that you were one of the different ones?

I'm well aware there are people it doesn't applies to which is why I specified that in my post.

FelicisNox · 09/08/2020 19:05

I know what you mean, my DH always buys "holiday clothes" and has to have a new airport outfit every time we travel (he now has more clothes than I do).

I have a set of holiday clothes that I pack every year and rarely buy new stuff.

Smallsteps88 · 09/08/2020 19:09

Did you miss the part where I said there were exceptions to every 'rule' I'd set out? Or were you just too desperate to post that you were one of the different ones?

Well, it was my post you misquoted so I felt it necessary to disabuse you of the notion that I was a well to do middle class yummy mummy with a 4x4 and annual skiing holidays.

Downinthetubestationatmidnight · 09/08/2020 19:13

I had a colleague in my last job who used to holiday every year in Florida and buy new clothes from Primark. She then used to wear them then leave them in the hotel "for the cleaning staff" and return home without them. Honestly.

crushedfence · 09/08/2020 19:14

@Smallsteps88

Did you miss the part where I said there were exceptions to every 'rule' I'd set out? Or were you just too desperate to post that you were one of the different ones?

Well, it was my post you misquoted so I felt it necessary to disabuse you of the notion that I was a well to do middle class yummy mummy with a 4x4 and annual skiing holidays.

Just went back and read it. Don't think I misquoted at all
winniestone37 · 09/08/2020 19:20

Buying new stuff unnecessarily is obviously a terrible thing to do. I think people do often buy new things for a holiday. I don’t know anyone who buys a whole new wardrobe though. I’m trying to use Vinted and depop more. Kudos to you for the virtue signal btw Confused

Squidwitch · 09/08/2020 19:24

Really want to go on holiday now! The first whiomph of heat when you get off the plane, finding the shop that sells bugles and lemon Fanta, the sand in the shower that makes you sad on the last day... Just close your eyes and remember..

Housemum · 09/08/2020 19:29

I have clothes I only really wear on holiday (A couple of thin strapped maxi dresses, the ones with the ruched elastic top) but the only time I buy new stuff is if I think my undies are looking a bit gritty I buy nice new ones and take the old ones on holiday to bin after wearing as they were heading for the bin anyway! Unless it is just me and DH going, I might feel the need for nice undies then 😉

Carpedimum · 09/08/2020 19:30

I hold my hands up, I do buy new clothes for hols but I also have stored clothes that I only ever wear on holiday. e.g. dressy clothes for a cruise, very casual clothes for winter walks in Scotland and beach holiday clothes. Please don’t run away with the idea that I’m doing at least 3 holidays a year, I am not. I do buy new underwear & nightwear, even for weekends away because my mum did & it sort of feels special to wear new stuff even in a Premier Inn! 😂

Housemum · 09/08/2020 19:30

Gritty?! That would be grim, bloody autocorrect, “grotty”!

Dippydeedoo · 09/08/2020 19:34

I used to gradually put the children’s clothes away ready for holiday in the weeks leading up to the packing, they had a few new or newish T-shirt’s and shorts for the holidays but also what would be needed as summer clothes after the holiday - and new white ankle socks but I didn’t buy all new.

Now I holiday just with my partner I have some newish stuff that I’ve bought over the months specifically for holiday but I might wear it for days out too but the majority of my holiday wear is washed and ready in the suitcase for the next holiday.

Squidwitch · 09/08/2020 19:35

Up and down the country women are delicately checking their pants for grit

Riv · 09/08/2020 20:31

If I have appropriate clothes I often take my older ones (especially undies) and throw them away there before I return. Then I don’t have a big wash when I get home. The bonus is I have new ones to look forward to at home.
It means I have new, different things to wear out with friends when the holiday is over and I wear up older stuff when meeting new people that I might never see again. Old stuff is comfy and familiar amidst new exciting experiences. I know what works with what so I don’t spend precious holiday time fiddling, deciding what to team things for best effect. 😊

Freddie28 · 09/08/2020 20:39

We have always bought new clothes for holidays, what I wear on holiday I wouldn’t wear here. On the USA trips we always used to buy the trainers for the children, plus any of the clothing that is more than twice the price here. Normally had to buy a couple of extra cases to bring it back. Luckily they have supposedly grown up, but we still get calls asking us to find certain items.

I love having new clothes to go away in. It all adds to part of the holiday. I spend a couple of hours ironing everything on the first day of the holiday then I don’t have to think about it for the rest of the time.

Even though the kids are adults they all buy new clothes when they go on holiday.

Jeeperscreepers69 · 09/08/2020 20:44

5 kids? How old?

randomsabreuse · 09/08/2020 20:55

With kids I get it because chances are they have grown out of most of last year's stuff. I certainly don't maintain 7 days worth of proper hot weather stuff!

To be brutally honest I am not entirely sure I maintain 7 days worth of non school stuff, because school uniform covers most of the week and if we're at home there's always at least 1 wash happening mid week, not so much on holiday, so if they've grown since the last school holidays chances are they need a top up of non-school stuff anyway!

Holiday packing seems to be a good way of taking stock of current clothes and noticing problems (size issues, holes, stains, change in taste/shape) - almost like a mini Kondo session!

M2B19 · 09/08/2020 21:05

@riv that’s a really interesting perspective and one I hadn’t thought of

chubbyhotchoc · 09/08/2020 21:11

I don't think it's the reason. People just like to look fresh and good on their holidays and always think they can do better than the previous year. If you're scouse you get holiday clothes, Christmas clothes, birthday clothes and Easter clothes too.

Iziz · 09/08/2020 21:39

Am afraid i do for me and my son but mainly because I like a new wardrobe When I go away not for the hassle of packing , it’s weird but I never thought about it until I read this , but I go away to visit family with beach days thrown here n there so it’s normal clothes not holiday summer beach clothes

Xkerching08x · 09/08/2020 21:41

I always buy all new things for holiday, it’s like a tradition lol

GinWithASplashOfTonic · 09/08/2020 21:47

Do people actually do this???
I'd never dream of packing mostly new stuff.

Clothes need tweaking or altering or it's only when you wear stuff that you realise what other stuff goes with it. How is that possible if you only have the stuff in your suitcase at hand

Cadent · 09/08/2020 22:00

I wonder if this is partly why many people have so few savings? New things to feel special Confused

MissSunnyDays · 09/08/2020 22:02

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woodhill · 09/08/2020 22:10

It depends on the holiday, when going to Florida no one dressed up much but last year on a European all inclusive it was nice to dress up for dinner but still brought old favourites

coronafiona · 09/08/2020 22:16

I always go somewhere with a washing machine, but it's nice to treat everyone to a new toy for the pool or top to go out in, so I try and buy something but nothing too much, hols are £££