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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:
frumpety · 08/08/2020 21:26

Are we talking about adults , if so I might buy a couple of t-shirts and some new pants.
Children wise, I often have to buy new stuff because the buggers have grown.
Ironing, I used to spend hours ironing everyones clothes to pack and then discovered they do on holiday what they do at home which is scrunch up every single thing looking for one item, therefore making all my efforts redundant ! So I now wash and tumble dry everything and it is clean and flat.

AuldAlliance · 08/08/2020 21:27

I linked to various sources indicating why, quoting dermatologists, etc.

Emeraldshamrock · 08/08/2020 21:27

I have not been abroad for 8 years I booked and paid for a holiday next year I'll be buying everything new as I've nothing suitable.
Pre DC I didn't buy new as I went on holiday regularly.

TheFaerieQueene · 08/08/2020 21:29

I wash all new clothes before I wear them. I am amazed that this isn’t the norm.

SummerPoppies · 08/08/2020 21:30

I don't buy new clothes for holidays. I have ' holiday clothes ' that I wash and put away for next time.
What I do but though is a couple of packs of new knickers. I take my old ones on holiday with me and throw them after wearing, then start with my new ones when I get home.
Which will then be suitably shabby enough for next year's holiday.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 08/08/2020 21:30

I always buy new clothes for holidays abroad especially new bras.its part of the whole thing for me.

NotMeNoNo · 08/08/2020 21:31

It must be just throwaway fashion. It's one thing buying some new summer clothes and holiday is the first time you get to wear them. But to buy an entire set of cheap clothes to throw way after 2 weeks? I read a thing about someone who said take your oldest clothes and throw them away on holiday as you wear them. Not exactly responsible tourism.

Megan2018 · 08/08/2020 21:34

You should wash new clothes before you wear them - but I don’t. I do for DD as she is tiny but too lazy otherwise. DH doesn’t either.
No-one in my family does either and we are not dead yet.

GhostCurry · 08/08/2020 21:34

“Looking back I guess lots of dc need new trainers and clothes every year as they grow, so it was just her Mams idea of having nice new stuff to go away with, that wasn't shabby or shrunk.”

I can see the logic, but if money is tight it seems sort of a shame. I would rather enjoy the pleasure of new clothes during an otherwise uneventful part of the year. Not “waste” it during a holiday, when I would barely notice the new clothes (because I would be distracted by being on holiday!).

I get that I’m probably overthinking it. I also feel the same way about people bringing in treats to the office on Fridays. Friday is already a great day! If anything, we need the treats on a Monday Grin

Socialdistancing · 08/08/2020 21:35

This is a bit of a thing-it’s a reasonable time to buy new clothes and it is nice to have lovely new things for photos. Same as buying stuff at christmas.
We used to have a new outfit or 2 for holiday and I often get my kids something new for a holiday.
We don’t buy clothes often.

Blackbear19 · 08/08/2020 21:37

As a child my mum would do go through our wardrobes in the spring, clear out stuff that was too small / relegate other stuff to play clothes / and decide what was still good.
She'd have an idea of what we needed for holiday and plug the gaps - the new stuff was kept for holiday.
New trainers were a must with last years if they still fitted relegated to play clothes.

However it's a great system if you holiday mid summer, we tend to holiday later in the year or do short breaks so it doesn't really work for me.

Megan2018 · 08/08/2020 21:38

I’ve never thrown clothes away. I only go on holiday every 3-4 years at most so usually buy new summer things for the trip then wear them at home until they are knackered.

Buying some nice new things is part of a holiday for me, I rarely buy clothes otherwise as live in breeches when not at work and I’m not a shopper.

GhostCurry · 08/08/2020 21:38

“I linked to various sources indicating why, quoting dermatologists, etc.”

Yes you did Auld but people still won’t do it, because in the real world none of that stuff actually happens. If you have very sensitive skin or some other disorder, carry on. But for the majority of people, it is absolutely fine to wear without washing.

And yes, other people will probably have tried on the clothing while it’s on the shop floor. This is one of those things that only bother you if you think about it too much.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 08/08/2020 21:41

@AnneLovesGilbert

Ah, but on MN is so good to admit you just never iron anx totally hilarious that yiur kids don't even know what an iron is!

Whatever. You look creased to buggery which isn't so good!

Sadly your post isn’t that clear but I think you’re trying to insult me and my family. That’s nice dear.

Don't worry @AnneLovesGilbert, not only do I not iron, I haven't owned an iron in the 12 years that I've lived on my own. And I don't look creased, because I don't buy clothes that require ironing!
Sgtmajormummy · 08/08/2020 21:41

I went on holiday to the UK with a friend of DD’s. They were 12 at the time. Apart from PJs and a few changes of underwear he had an empty suitcase. His parents had given him £100 specifically to buy new clothes on holiday. Shock
He kitted himself out at Primark on the second day. And bought souvenir tshirts etc.

There is a logic behind it. Clean, fun new clothes every day and if weather conditions change you just buy what you need. He bought tshirts and hoodies at a low price that were unknown in our country.

pandora206 · 08/08/2020 21:42

I read the title as 'To think this is why people buy all bran....' on account of the large font I have on my screen. However, it seem that I'll never find out!

Megan2018 · 08/08/2020 21:42

Our iron died in 2015, haven’t missed it!

Notfeelinggreattoday · 08/08/2020 21:43

Always new underwear and in months before maybe pick up few new bits for holidays but not all new

NotMeNoNo · 08/08/2020 21:44

I guess for a beach/hotel holiday its just some dresses flip flops and shorts. We are going camping to Scotland so it will be normal clothes with hiking gear and an extra helping of warm jumpers.

emilybrontescorsett · 08/08/2020 21:45

Before I had children I always bought new clothes for every holiday. Now I buy a few new items. I always bought some new clothes for the dcs too. After going away with a friend, I always borrow an iron and iron my clothes in the hotel room. They look so much better and I felt much better in crisp, neat , ironed clothes too. It really does make a difference.

Passthecake30 · 08/08/2020 21:45

I might buy a couple of bits to make sure I have enough but never a whole wardrobe. Sun tan lotion wrecked all of our T-shirt’s last year, so I would never wear a favourite or expensive item. Problem is, a lot of our holiday pictures are funny, dp and I wear the same clothes... but the kids are growing!

drspouse · 08/08/2020 21:46

brand new trainers for the kids
Surely they aren't worn in then?

Cam2020 · 08/08/2020 21:47

Not since I was young. Holiday is a time for me to forget about looking in any way decent, anyway. Only half joking there Blush

I neither holiday enough or am home enough during nice weather for my summer clothes to age much through wear. They can last for years.

I tend to spend more on work wear than home wear, which as left me looking rather dishevelled and embarrassed in the current WFH climate.

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 08/08/2020 21:48

I live in Scotland where it’s cold approximately 362 days a year! So I have some very summery stuff that I generally only wear on holiday. I’ll often buy some new swimwear / sunglasses etc. And the dc never seem to have 7+ days of socks / underwear to pack, so I end up grabbing an extra pack before a trip.
My ex mil had a set of “holiday clothes” that she’d wash and iron when she got home, and then put away for the next year.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/08/2020 21:49

@pandora206

I read the title as 'To think this is why people buy all bran....' on account of the large font I have on my screen. However, it seem that I'll never find out!
Keeps you regular?