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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:
RoseMartha · 08/08/2020 22:15

Gosh no. Only buy few items per season per year as necessary.

user1592512579 · 08/08/2020 22:16

I buy new for holidays, everything down to pants and socks. My step Mum used to do it. I remember thinking she was batty at the time, but I find it takes the stress out of the packing.

Jimdandy · 08/08/2020 22:18

@EustaciaPieface I find I always have to buy new swimwear. I’ve bought expensive and I’ve bought cheap and I can’t find any that will sustain through all that sun, sun lotion, pool Water and sea and not be ruined!!

pointythings · 08/08/2020 22:19

I'd never buy new clothes for a holiday. I just plan in an extra wash or two so there's enough to pack and that's it. The only stuff I'd buy new is swimming gear if needed - DD2 needs bigger swim shorts as she has shot up an inch and developed bigger hips over lockdown, but that's it.

Crunchymum · 08/08/2020 22:20

When I was young, slim and lived at home (so had spare cash) most of my suitcase would be new.

It wasn't expensive stuff.... a few bikinis, some cover ups, new flip flops and a few new outfits for the evening (plus all new toiletries Shock) but it was nice to be able to do it at the time!!! Was part of the holiday which tended to be just one "big" trip a year.

When I travelled a bit more frequently, I economised a lot more.

pinkbalconyrailing · 08/08/2020 22:22

never - but I had eczema and just the thought of new clothing without washing it first + different water + sun & sea & sun cream makes me itch really bad

MumGoneCrazy · 08/08/2020 22:24

I work in retail and last summer while serving on the tills, a couple appeared with a large suitcase and a mountain of clothes so I asked if they'd like any bags and was told no thanks chuck it all in our case, we are in a rush, our flight is in a few hours. I was a bit Shock but did as they asked.

KaleJuicer · 08/08/2020 22:24

I’ve never bought anything new for me or the family for holiday nor do I know anyone who does. Having said that, I now have a housekeeper who launders, irons and puts everything away so packing is a breeze.

Ameliablue · 08/08/2020 22:26

I generally buy a few new things, mainly because I prefer to go on holiday at the start of the summer break so some new summer clothes are generally needed. I might but new underwear at this point as well because it is a convenient point in time to refresh underwear. I may buy some things holiday specific, depending on what type of holiday we are having, e.g beach wear for a foreign holiday, wetsuits for uk one.

lilgreen · 08/08/2020 22:28

I might buy a couple of new things with a holiday in mind such as swimwear or sandals but never all new. That would be £££ on top of holiday costs.

Fifthtimelucky · 08/08/2020 22:31

@whatisthenewnormal

I've seen some people suggest the opposite, pack all your oldest most ruined stuff, leave it all behind so you have room in your suitcase for souvenirs and have new ready and waiting at home
I know someone who used to do exactly that.

I've never known anyone buy a suitcase worth of new clothes for a holiday though.

TW2013 · 08/08/2020 22:35

I warn everyone about 3 days before we go that it is the last wash before the holiday, anything which doesn't make that wash doesn't go. Then everyone over the age of about 5 packs their own bags. I just tell them how many of each outfit to bring and if they are likely to need jumpers. If something is forgotten then usually there are shops where we are going.

Highlights12 · 08/08/2020 22:37

I don't buy all new but do like some new stuff. The people saying they leave old stuff behind, where? Hardly nice for other people to dispose of your old worn knickers.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 08/08/2020 22:38

I'm a little bit horrified tbh. How wasteful. Fast fashion is terrible. I can't afford to buy all organic woven yogurt type stuff, but what I do buy, even in shops like supermarkets and Matalan, I wear until it can't be worn any more. I alter things if they don't fit me any more and eventually I either rag them or send them to be recycled.

The only clothes I've ever bought "for holiday" have been activity specific things. And only if I can't borrow it from someone.

I last flew abroad in Feb this year, and before that in 2008. We holiday mainly in the UK when we can afford one.

lissie123 · 08/08/2020 22:38

Bought destination specific clothing- Iceland needed serious thermals and coat for that holiday plus ski wear for skiing hols. New bikini for hot hols

champagneplanet · 08/08/2020 22:38

My friend does this, literally down to her underwear. But she also buys herself and DCs Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/Boxing Day/NYE/ NY Day/Good Friday/Easter Sunday clothes. She thinks it's the norm.

We live up North so the weather is changeable to say the least. I don't buy a lot of overly summery clothes as unfortunately I don't get much opportunity to wear them! Most of my summer clothes have only been worn abroad!

CherryPavlova · 08/08/2020 22:40

I wouldn’t usually buy anything new unless I hadn’t got a few essentials. New snow boots for Iceland in January perhaps but usually I’d buy new clothes when I needed something.

copperoliver · 08/08/2020 22:40

I do buy new underwear and new socks and pjs and a few new outfits for the kids.
New underwear dresses and a couple of new pairs of sandals for myself. X

BackforGood · 08/08/2020 22:41

Same here TW2013

isadorapolly · 08/08/2020 22:43

We always used to have a whole new holiday wardrobe as kids. I’ve only taken mine abroad twice while they were really little and I did the same, it feels nice Grin

Polnm · 08/08/2020 22:46

Why would you have different clothes for a holiday? Surely you just take whatever clothes you have?

auberge · 08/08/2020 22:49

It's been a while since I've been genuinely flummoxed by a MN thread. I have literally never heard of anyone doing this. And what's with all the knicker throwing? Why would you throw away a pair of pants on Friday when they were fine to wear the previous Saturday (unless they have since developed a hole)? I now have a vision of Spanish hotel bins overflowing with M&S pants. And as for the whole new wardrobe people - it must cost literally hundreds to do this for a whole family, even if you're shopping in Primark??

Sportsnight · 08/08/2020 22:50

As kids, yes, my mum did this. I assume it’s v old fashioned? For people saying it’s really wasteful, we didn’t have anything else new all year except for school uniform. We weren’t going anywhere exotic either - UK caravan holidays every year. I think it was maybe an eye to photographs, or making sure we looked ok for the relatives.

nowaitaminute · 08/08/2020 22:56

Yep I always buy pretty much everything new for holidays...apart from a few of my favourite staple wardrobe items a. But definitely all new for the dc...

Wtfdidwedo · 08/08/2020 22:56

@Polnm

Why would you have different clothes for a holiday? Surely you just take whatever clothes you have?
Presumably because dressing for two weeks of 35 degree sun in Tenerife requires a slightly different wardrobe to living 351 days in primarily cold wet weather. I live in Wales. I am currently cycling between three pairs of shorts and four vests in the heat.