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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hope that dd's school coat might last more than 2 winters ?

24 replies

LIZS · 10/01/2008 16:11

dd 's school regulation coat is a fleece lined anorak. A lot of people had problems in the first year with quality but dd's was ok , until the zip broke yesterday . it was big to start wiht as they didn't have a smaller one in stock at the time and it was cold already so it now fits her nicely. But it is broken and can only popper up so pretty useless in this weather Went to school shop and lady was sorry but didn't think they would replace it after so long (lady herself would but she's not the owner).

wwyd ? New one is £22 minimum there, zip is probably too long to replace effectively, 2nd hand sale next week but this is a newish item so not many 2nd hand yet.

OP posts:
KaySamuels · 10/01/2008 16:15

Take it to a repair shop for a new zip, kids knacker their school coats up constantly regardless of price or quality IME.

luciemule · 10/01/2008 16:16

We had a Next coat fopr dd last year and the zip broke 2 dyas into the september term this year. The coat cost £28 and to fit a new zip at the dry cleaners was going to be £21 because of length! I was astounded - I really need to learn how to replace zips!

Could you go back to the shop and say the coat was hardly worn as it has only just started to fit her, therefore it hasn't had wear and tear - just a cronk zip!

Original poster
LIZS · 10/01/2008 16:21

but is it likely to be nearly as much as a new coat ? I've no idea , could do it myself but it may not run right .

OP posts:
luciemule · 10/01/2008 22:31

If the coat's way more expensice than the £22 to replace the zip, I'd pay to have it replaced.

Hulababy · 10/01/2008 22:35

Depends how much the coat will cost to remember compared to price of school coat.

foxinsocks · 10/01/2008 22:37

tbh, I don't expect ours to last longer than a year and am pleased if they do (either the kids have grown or they have truly knackered the coat by that stage).

Would agree with replacement zip if that's a possibility.

Spidermama · 10/01/2008 22:38

I'd be delighted if my kids managed to make a coat last two years. They grown out of them.

Hulababy · 10/01/2008 22:39

DD grow out of her first school winter coat within the first year - had to get a second coat this academic year. Cost a small fortune! Bought it big but not convinced it will see her through next winter as well. Wish she'd stop growing!

Chuffinnora · 10/01/2008 22:44

I'm happy to get one winter from a coat. I always by a good quality brand but that doesn't seem to have any bearing on how long things like zips last.
As KaySamuels says kids can be hard on their clothes esp if they are wearing them in the yard at playtime.

Chuffinnora · 10/01/2008 22:44

I'm happy to get one winter from a coat. I always by a good quality brand but that doesn't seem to have any bearing on how long things like zips last.
As KaySamuels says kids can be hard on their clothes esp if they are wearing them in the yard at playtime.

Staceym21AtLast · 10/01/2008 22:45

i'd say replace zip, not coat, but that is me and even if marginally cheaper id prefer to fix not replace.

hope it doesnt cost you a small fortune either way!

bookwormmum · 10/01/2008 22:46

I buy my dd's coats from Ladybird (Woolworths) but they do vary in thickness. Not all children are chauffered to school in warm cars so can get away with thinner coats - some actually walk in winter!!

Pebblemum · 10/01/2008 23:31

I think i would try to get the zip fixed if it would work out cheaper/easier than buying a new coat. Im lucky though my sister is a genius with her sewing machine so I wouldnt have to pay anyone to do it lol

My ds1 gets through 1-2 coats a winter but this is due to them being stolen from the cloakroom and not being damaged
Ds2 on the other hand always manages to ruin his coats. Last year he had a FatFace one, first time he wore it he got tar on it. He then had a nice one from Primark and ruined the zip so we got him another, it had gone down to £2 in the sale so it worked out cheaper than mending the old one. Then this autumn he had a nice Ben Sherman jacket given to him and he managed to get the zip stuck everytime he put it on until one day it broke totally, he then had a nice thick winter one which he tore under the arms and now he has a £5 George one so we will see how long this one lasts. He is only 4 so I dread to think what he will be like when he is older lol

cat64 · 11/01/2008 00:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
LIZS · 12/01/2008 09:36

dd is tiny ! She's 6 but the size of a 4-5 year old and still in a harnessed car seat. This coat was unbelievably long when new (skirt hem length so below knee) and now the waist (it has a draw cord) is actually at waist level on her. Even ds coat is on its 4th winter , just looking on small side, so no my kids don't outgrow such things that fast .

Will cost up a replacement zip I think , there will be at least another year in it if I do.

OP posts:
perpetualworrier · 12/01/2008 10:11

I live opposite a primary school and the kids in the playground never have their coats done up.

I worried me to begin with that DS1 wasn't doing his up, but they run around so much they can't possibly be cold.

So bearing in mind she probably doesn't do it up at playtime anyway, is the zip that important, esp if it does have poppers too?

Original poster
LIZS · 12/01/2008 10:15

It does have poppers which I suspect is what she has tended to use anyway until she got the hang fo the zip. It si odd osmehow the puller part ahs becoem detached , no evidence of snagging or it gettign overpulled. Trouble is they go outside in all weathers and with 2 months to go of winter term yet it is annoying.

OP posts:
perpetualworrier · 12/01/2008 10:47

Yes - I know they go outside in all weathers, but do they ever do up the zip?

Original poster
LIZS · 12/01/2008 10:50

Well they used to (got comments about how teachers had to help her ) but can't be sure recently .

OP posts:
bookwormmum · 12/01/2008 10:52

Do you live opposite my dd's school perpetual? I often see kids running around with no coats on!

In my day, we weren't allowed out in winter unless we'd done our coats up and put on hats/scarves/gloves etc. The HT used to stand at the door checking we were wrapped up well!! I guess this generation of kids will be tougher.

perpetualworrier · 12/01/2008 11:13

Yes LIZS I see that too, but honestly, esp in the infants they just spend their 20 mins or so charging in all directions, so they can't be cold.

I went for a run Thurs night and I had long running tights and a long sleved t-stirt on, but I wished I'd worn the short sleeved one. You get really warm really quickly.

Iota · 12/01/2008 11:31

my kids never do zips up. I buy coats with velco on rather than poppers and sometimes manage to velco ds2 (6) into his on the walk to school.

I would either make do with the poppers or try to add some velco along the flap if you think that the poppers are insuffient.

roisin · 12/01/2008 12:08

I always buy coats for my boys from M&S (in Feb in the sales) and they always last 2 years. It's cold and windy here, and they wear them pretty much every day all year round.

They do look very worn after two full years, but we've never had a zip fail.

Original poster
LIZS · 17/01/2008 16:00

Well I 've managed to extract the puller from another old coat where the zip has come away and needs completely replacing , fitted it onto dd's and it works ! For now at least

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