To buy a new outfit for every play date?

[Summertimelostitsshine]

For my toddler Dd? Nothing fancy, just something lovely from baby Zara, for example.
I also sort of buy her new outfits to match places/the colours where we are going, to look aesthetically pleasing in Instagram photos etc..I’m weird, aren’t I 😬

Fucking hell.
When mine were little playdates were pretty much daily, after nursery/toddler group events and were about friendships, theirs and mine.
But this was pre insta and all that shite.
Thank fuck.
Yes. You're weird.

What would you like your daughter to care most about when she grows up?

-Looking after the planet and its resources
-Other people - and ensuring they aren't exploited
-Being sensible with money
-Her appearance

Zara is run by a billionaire yet uses sweatshops described as "slave-like".

If you like buying bits so much you can't stop, why not look for second hand, and they way you won't be contributing so much to supporting slavery and planetary destruction 👍

You are clearly wealthy and have the time, money and energy to do that... which is perfectly fine.

Now, when I see this kind of thing on social media, I think the exact opposite. I have some very wealthy friends, who have all the time in the world. DH and I are very comfortable. I, and they, would recoil at the idea of dressing my child up to match a soft play centre and then display a staged photo of this on social media.

Your daughter probably looks mega cute all the time and you get loads of nice pics

I'm sure DD looks lovely. Nice pics is subjective, I don't find staged pictures of a toddler for Instagram, nice. I find them quite desperate.

But no, most people dont bother/cant afford it.

The reason most people don't do this is not because they are unmotivated or can't afford a similar outfit from Zara.

Each to their own.

With respect OP what do you think you are teaching your child?

Do you think it's healthy to be wondering about and planning your next Insta post?

What happens when your toddler wants to wear grubby dungarees with red and blue spotted wellies and plays merry hell when you try to change them?

Maybe you should try coming off social media for a week or two, and reflect on how you feel. Do you think you'd be able to? I suspect not. :(

@riotlady I’m definitely not rich 😬nothing designer, just nice, simple clothes

[quote Summertimelostitsshine]@ThePluckOfTheCoward 🤣I like that idea 😆
Not really to that extent, but I know of people who definitely would.
I think people aren’t being honest here[/quote]
I have never done anything like this in my life

I’ve had 3 kids and they had one good outfit for weddings/church at toddler age and the rest was practical clothes for playing in and, you know, being a toddler.

I never thought about the background of the next visit out place and went out and specifically bought an outfit so the colour looked good in a photo. and especially not when it was a long dress to be aesthetically pleasing with the Victoriana ghost vibe.

@HeavenHotel My Dd often wears clothes like that, very happy to have her choose, she’s not at that stage yet, but when she does, it’ll be her choice

@HeavenHotel I’m not massively into social media, an average amount I'd say, definitely not into it as much as many I’ve seen

I’m asking as I want to see how many will admit doing similar..there’s definitely lots out there
No, there really aren't.

I think you were hoping for praise and admiration from this. In reality most responding think it’s sad, shallow and the height of social media driven consumerism.

It's a bit OTT. I wouldn't be able to afford to buy new baby outfits for every occasion, especially when they grow out of things so fast. But if you have the disposal income to do it then it's up to you. I definitely think if I was rich I would get carried away and have to reign myself in. But then don't you feel bad about how much wastage it is buying so much stuff that you'll have to be rid of in a year? It's not good for the environment. I also find it weird when people use their babies for social media attention.

Out of interest what would say is an average amount.

Every day?

Every month?

4 times a day?

OP, you're not going to get people 'admitting' to doing the same because it's fucking weird.

Who the fuck puts a toddler in a long white dress for a day out fgs? For 'aesthetically pleasing' photos??

Spend your money how you like, but your posts suggest your motivations are pretty out of whack.

@HasaDigaEebowai

I think you were hoping for praise and admiration from this. In reality most responding think it’s sad, shallow and the height of social media driven consumerism.

I think most people responding might just be here for the deletion message really.

I know I am.

If you can afford it and can be arsed then sure why not. I just reach for whatever is clean and weather appropriate, although appreciate that's probably me being lazy!

DD2 is in a lot of DD1’s old clothes but we have a few new outfits. I save those for visits to people or going out for the day. Same with DD1 now. Her newer clothes are kept nice for days out.

Sometimes the outfit matches the day out. For example, we’re going to an aquarium in a couple of weeks so I’ll put DD2 in her outfit with sea horses on it. That’s the sort of matching I do.

I don’t have Instagram though so don’t care about that.

If you can afford it, and you don't buy an excessive amount that will only get worn once, why wouldn't you.

I never understood the attitude that any old crap is good enough for children

I chose clothes I liked for my kids, and I saved a few "interesting" gifts for the most messy days and plays. I am happy with all the photos and videos of them. If other parents are happy with tracksuit bottoms or leggings and garish character tshirts, it's their own choice.

If it's good enough for the royals, why not.

@TwinsAndTrifle Nope, definitely don’t do staged photos at soft play, she’s never even been to one. I have many wealthy friends (were just average) and agree that they generally have the oldest clothes, definitely each to their own, my outfits don’t cost a lot and she has less clothes than others I know

OP, you're not going to get people 'admitting' to doing the same because it's fucking weird.

This. With bells on.

You are very definitely sending your DD messages by dressing her up to match the setting you put her in!

You are teaching her that you value her appearance and her public image more than what she might choose to wear, and that she needs to look pretty rather than be comfortable and practical. She will be picking up on this

It's not weirder than people insisting on buying a new outfit every time they get invited to a wedding. I never bought any outfit for my kids, just chose something smart from their wardrobe.

It sounds like if anyone does anything different, they have to be "weird" on this forum.

No, my kids just wear comfortable clothes lol they are not a model

Do you take her to stately homes, then, OP?

'old buildings'

@TheKeatingFive It would be cute, right 🤣

Please DM me your address. I work with people who have one set of clothing, live in houses infested by rats and exist on 40 quid a week. They would be delighted to receive your cast offs.