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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spend £600 every time my daughter goes up a clothes size?

668 replies

ivebeentotheyear3000 · 05/02/2022 05:34

Every time my daughter goes up a clothes size I end up spending about £600. DH thinks this is a ridiculous amount to spend but I don't really see how I could do it for much cheaper!? I buy from a variety of places but generally Asda, H&M, Tu, Matslan - nowhere really expensive.

Vests £10
Knickers £10
Socks £10
Tights £20
Jeans £30
Leggings £20
Shorts £20
Short sleeved tops £25
Long sleeved tops £25
Dresses £50
Fleece £15
Hoodie £15
Tracksuit £20
Winter coat £25
Summer waterproof £15
Pyjamas £40
Ballet uniform £75
School uniform £75
Trainers, shoes, wellies, sandals, slippers £100
Swimsuit £10

AIBU? How much do others spend and if less, how do you save money?

OP posts:
RussianSpy101 · 05/02/2022 08:08

Your items are actually cheap when you e broken them down so no, I don’t think you could get them cheaper.
£100 for trainers and wellies and sandals and shoes.. that is ridiculously cheap. As is a winter coat for £25.

GalesThisMorning · 05/02/2022 08:08

That's crazy. I doubt I spend that much on my 5 year old in 3 years! I barely spend a thing as friends are constantly passing clothes on, but still!

RussianSpy101 · 05/02/2022 08:09

Do people really buy their children clothes that are too big for them so they last longer?

Didiplanthis · 05/02/2022 08:09

We have a pretty active hand me down network. Works better for my friends than me as I have identical twins so they grow out of 2 lots if everything at the same time. It has literally saved me thousands I would think ???

LadyCleathStuart · 05/02/2022 08:09

Kids clothes are so expensive so I don't see the amount as an issue but I agree with everyone that I don't replace everything at the one time especially since I don't think growth in clothes size always leads to a similar growth in feet size. At least with my DC their feet seem to grow first, then the rest of them catches up a few months later.

I do try to buy things in bigger sizes in the sales so I have them already to hand.

Howshouldibehave · 05/02/2022 08:13

@RussianSpy101

Do people really buy their children clothes that are too big for them so they last longer?
If there was a choice between two sizes and one fitted absolutely perfectly now, and one had a bit of room for growth, then I’d buy the bigger one, yes!
liveforsummer · 05/02/2022 08:13

@RussianSpy101

Do people really buy their children clothes that are too big for them so they last longer?
Yes. Why not? Clothes like coats and jumpers have a range of fit. It doesn't have to be exact
Freshprincess · 05/02/2022 08:13

How does it work? If you notice a jumper is looking a bit small you go and buy everything up a size on your list? Surely you’re not buying two winter coats per year. You must have clothes she’s barely or never worn.

Size up and buy in the sales.

OneToThree · 05/02/2022 08:13

Mine keep wearing until I notice they’re too small then I put them away. One thing at a time. She might then only have 3 T-shirts instead of 5 say and I’ll just pick her a couple up. I never buy a lot at once.

Howshouldibehave · 05/02/2022 08:14

Kids clothes are so expensive so I don't see the amount as an issue

Lots of people do see the expense as an issue.

SweetPotatoDumpling · 05/02/2022 08:15

I'm with your DH here OP 😨

Your way is very...unusual! I just can't get my head around your approach at all I'm afraid! It's so unnecessary! I've honestly never known anybody do this...very odd!

You are also setting yourself up for some real issues further down the line when your daughter is older and her tastes become more personal...and expensive!! This 'complete wardrobe change' business will set you back some SERIOUS expense when she has her own opinions!! 🤣

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 05/02/2022 08:16

Aside from the cost, which if you can afford it is irrelevant, it's the impact on the environment. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting and wasteful industries in the world.

fishonabicycle · 05/02/2022 08:16

That is nuts! Lots of stuff will last through growth - you buy a bit big, then keep it til it's small - you obviously live to shop.

stuntbubbles · 05/02/2022 08:16

@RussianSpy101

Do people really buy their children clothes that are too big for them so they last longer?
Yes, why not?

I’m not buying the 3yo teenage clothing but a 4-5yo coat, yes.

RussianSpy101 · 05/02/2022 08:16

@liveforsummer my DD must have small arms and a long body. She tried on 2 coats last week; age 8 & age 9. The arms on the age 9 were ridiculous they would’ve had to of been rolled up about 3 times to be at her hand. I’ve never seen children walking around like this or with clearly too big clothing.

RedRobin100 · 05/02/2022 08:17

Yes I think that is very excessive

PinkWaferBiscuit · 05/02/2022 08:18

@RussianSpy101

Do people really buy their children clothes that are too big for them so they last longer?
Of course they do. I don't know anyone who wouldn't buy a larger coat for example so it lasted more than one winter.

Obviously no one is buying their children shoes that are too big for them to wear now as apposed to in future or forcing them into trousers that will fall down but absolutely most people do indeed buy larger so they last longer.

I can't believe for a second that the OPs daughter magically out grows all her clothes at once so why buy them all at the same time, it's bonkers.

Deliaskis · 05/02/2022 08:19

I've never heard of anyone buying it all at the same time. I just buy bits when individual things are outgrown and needed. In fact I know that DD's socks, pants and jamas being stretchy last a lot longer than e.g. jeans that need to be comfortable and the right length. And I would only buy a winter coat if it was outgrown during winter, ditto summer rain coat. Other things we go through quickly... leggings tend to end up with holes in them etc.

Buying the lot at the same time seems like it could end up being wasteful. E.g. I might hope a winter coat would just last her through March (or use a waterproof when it's not cold), then the following October by one two sizes up so it would list two winters. She's certainly not needed a new one as frequently as she needs T-shirts for example. And shoes get outgrown at different times because the are sized differently, and again, I wouldn't replace winter boots if it was nearly the end of winter.

1224boom · 05/02/2022 08:20

I always size up to get longer from things. So coat last two winters. Also once my child is halfway through the year I never buy their age but the age up.

RobotValkyrie · 05/02/2022 08:20

Ways we've saved money on kids clothes:

  • lots of second hand clothes from relatives with slightly older kids
  • birthday and Christmas presents from relatives typically include some simple clothes, like t-shirts or pyjamas
  • buy some items a bit oversized, e.g. a good coat can last 3 years, sizing a bit large the first year, perfect the second year, and a bit small the last year
  • wear whatever we've got for as long as it feels right. E.g. socks and swimming costumes tend to stretch overtime. Even pants, sometimes (at the waist)

For school uniforms, a new set each year feels right (in fact, we buy 5 full sets! one a day). But you don't need tons of other clothes.

Mothermorph · 05/02/2022 08:20

I guess it depends how frequently this is happening.
I think buying all in one go is an unusual way to do it though and does feel more expensive rather than gradually buying items when needed, and spreading the cost.
And do you need the consecutive size every time? And socks fit a range of sizes. For instance my DS wore age 5 school shorts for several years - they just got a bit shorter. By the time I replaced them bought age 9. Admittedly he's not on the 50th centile.

User0458832 · 05/02/2022 08:20

If you saw that the age 3 coat was looking a bit small in January, it would be prudent to buy an age 4-5 in the January sales at half price for the following year, rather than paying full price in October

Southbucksldn · 05/02/2022 08:22

I always buy slightly oversized clothes, particularly jumpers and coats. Oversized and slouchy is a look anyway!
If I bought clothes that just fit then they wouldn’t be used for more than 6 months, which seems a dreadful waste.

TheBigPeachy · 05/02/2022 08:23

I buy bigger sizes clothes wise so I normally get a good 18 months out of some things like school uniform, coats etc l.
my ds gets a lot of hand my down from a friend of mine too.
I bulk buy unisex gloves and hats in winter so both dd and ds can use.

apprenticewage · 05/02/2022 08:23

For me the issue is not the money...it's the buying it all at once.
Why new shorts in winter? Surely you just wait until the summer?
I tend to buy summer stuff in June, warmer sets of clothing in sept (new socks, vest etc) and then maybe again in feb/Mar)

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