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Original poster

Buying clothes too big

40 replies

KitKatastrophe · 03/09/2020 09:15

Thinking about school uniform and also other clothing. I have some friends who always buy their childrens clothes the next size up (age 4-5 for a 3 year old, for example) so that they last longer. Just wondering if other people do this? I'm just thinking if I send her to school in clothes that are miles too big it will look silly, or is it the norm?

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 03/09/2020 09:17

Small children’s everyday kit is silly. They wear out and need replacing anyway. Secondary school blazer at £100+ definitely.

SteakExpectations · 03/09/2020 09:18

I always buy DS clothes the right size. I’d not wear clothes two sizes too big because I’d look an idiot. Same goes for children. HTH

TeenPlusTwenties · 03/09/2020 09:24

Miles too big so it looks silly? - no.

On the generous, roomy side? - yes.

newmumwithquestions · 03/09/2020 09:24

I do this!
I just hate the waste of them growing out of something in a couple of months. Also I find it inevitable as there is a big difference in size between the young ones. So my tall for her age 4 year old will be in age 5-6 as the age 3-4 only just fit her.

TruffleShuffles · 03/09/2020 09:26

I used to work in retail and prom suits were always bought in the next size up so they could use it for future job interviews. The poor boys just looked like they were going to prom in their dads suit, especially as most of them were tall and skinny, the suits just hung off them.

Original poster
KitKatastrophe · 03/09/2020 09:26

@SteakExpectations

I always buy DS clothes the right size. I’d not wear clothes two sizes too big because I’d look an idiot. Same goes for children. HTH
Well this is what I'm thinking, but I know at least two people who dress their kids in clothes which look too big and said they've sized up so that they last longer.
OP posts:
sapnupuas · 03/09/2020 09:26

My son is 4 but in 2-3 clothes (he's a little dot!) so I've had to buy uniform that's at least a size too big, and he does look a bit silly.

Newdaynewname1 · 03/09/2020 09:27

If clothes are a lot to big, its false economy: oversized hems and cuffs etc rip, get stood on etc, oversized coats aren’t warm and are easily ripped. A bit on the generous side is fine.

SeasideMaiden · 03/09/2020 09:28

I've always done this. They grow so fast. I'm sure some people (perhaps that PP who says people look like idiots for doing this) earn enough money to constantly replace clothing, but some of the rest of us can't.

steppemum · 03/09/2020 09:32

well, there is a difference between a bit of growing room, and massively too big.

Many kids clothes allow for this too. M&S trousers used to have a let down hem, so that you could let them down when they grow, and also adjustable waists, so you can let them out when they grow.

Emmelina · 03/09/2020 09:34

I go generous/roomy. Bear in mind right now as well as washing frequently because of food/paint etc down it, you’ll probably be doing a hotter wash because of COVID so potentially a little shrinkage to come. If you buy ‘just right’ it’s not going to last long :)

JadesRollerDisco · 03/09/2020 09:35

My kids are tall so tend to basically fit the next size half way through the year anyway (eg. In age 4-5 at 3.5 years). So that would be big but not massive.

HappyPunky · 03/09/2020 09:41

DD has the right size trousers but the next size up t shirts to make it easier to get changed for pe.
I prefer them looking a bit more casual in baggy t shirts, they look like little city bankers going to school all smart at 4 years old.

crazychemist · 03/09/2020 09:51

My DD is back at preschool today. They wear summer uniform until half term. Definitely got her a large size - I don’t want to have to get a whole new set for the summer term! It’s a dress with a tie-back waist so I think it looks fine on the large size. Just use your judgement based on what the clothing is and how it will look.

Poppyismyfavourite · 03/09/2020 10:06

haha I always had uniforms too big. In my school time I think I had only two sets of summer dresses - when I joined in year 3 they came to my ankles, and when I left in year 8 they were barely knee-length!

TeenPlusTwenties · 03/09/2020 10:08

There is a massive reason why adults have clothes that fit and children have clothes that are too big/too small, and that is because kids, unlike adults, grow so you have to replace clothes long before they are worn out.
Why waste money buying new each year if by going a size up (if roomy not ridiculous) you can make things last 2?

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 03/09/2020 10:12

No i always buy the correct size. When they grow out of it, I hand it into the school and they give them away. Well they leave them outside for people to take if they need them. Not this year though.

unchienandalusia · 03/09/2020 10:14

Always. DS's shorts lasted him from reception to y3!!

tiredanddangerous · 03/09/2020 10:37

I used to make sure there was enough room for a bit of growth when they were little. My youngest is 10 now though and wouldn't be happy to go to school in a uniform that didn't fit right.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 03/09/2020 10:43

When my DD started preschool, the smallest dress came halfway between her knees and ankles. It looked hilarious- and unpractical. She wore shorts and polo for the first term (the 'boys' uniform). By the September term it didn't look ridiculous, so she could wear it.
A choice between just fitting and too big, I go for the bigger size. My 9yo needs 10-11 skirts for length. 11-12 would be ok lengthwise, but I have to take the waists in on the 10-11 stuff! Polos look a little baggy to get the right length.

Beautiful3 · 03/09/2020 10:44

I buy the shoes half a size bigger and cardigan /jumper one size larger. But I always get trousers and shirts that fit just right, other wise it looks messy. Usually the cardigan and jumpers last 2 years instead of one.

whirlwindwallaby · 03/09/2020 10:48

I buy to fit for two years, so just one size up. DS's was in the same uniform from year 7 to 9 (well until lockdown). It was only an age 12, an age 11 would have been a perfect fit, he just didn't grow much! Now in an age 14.

haba · 03/09/2020 11:07

Well, I was caught out this year- bought the right sized jumpers in July (y'know, when shops actually have the sizes you need!) and DS had grown so much that I had to exchange them for the next size before he went there this week!

haba · 03/09/2020 11:09

Clarks are offering a guarantee that their shoes will fit until February or they replace for free...DS has gone up two shoe sizes since Feb half term.

Winniewonka · 03/09/2020 11:10

This reminds me of when my son started high school. His blazer was so expensive and there wasn't the option of buying a generic one and sewing the school crest to the pocket, so I bought one to grow into. He wasn't tall but had broad shoulders so it fitted in the upper body.
All well and good until his friend called for him on the first day of term so they could go together. The first thing his friend said was "Why is your blazer down to your knees?" 😂
My son hadn't even noticed!