To think that not all 15 year olds have a North Face jacket?

[Shinyredbicycle]

DD15 is seriously nagging us about getting a North Face jacket to the tune of £300. Apparently, everyone at school has one, they're very warm, last forever etc.

I'm a bit surprised given the decidedly non-middle class demographic of her school tbh, but I have seen a lot of teens wearing them.

My first thought was that it's an insane amount of money to spend on a jacket. Her last one was from Urban Outfitters which I bought in the sale and I suppose that given that she's not going to grow very much more, I'd feel okay spending around £100 on something she really wanted.

But £300! Am I missing something here about how vital they are to a young person's life? It's quite possible that I don't really get how desirable they are.

Would like to hear from other parents of teens about how reasonable a request this is!

TIA

I bought ds one when he was about 14, he’s now 20, still has it and it’s in pretty decent condition. So I’d agree that yes they are warm (I have one as well) and they do last a long time (mine is circa 2016 and gets worn daily from about October until March). Can’t comment on whether ‘everyone’ has one though!

How do people afford these items?

DD tells me it's because other families prioritise their children's happiness (!) but seriously, it's a lot of money!

They might last forever but as soon as they aren't on trend, she won't want to wear it any more. Or someone will pinch it.

I got my NF jacket on eBay, as well as my RAB and jack wolfskin ones as well!

My son is 15 and had to have a North Face jacket, Nike wouldn't cut it apparently. He did pay for it himself though, definitely not £300!

I got my dd one from Vinted for £20 because it had a small mark on the back, it’s not noticeable when she wears it. She knows how expensive they are and was very happy with the bargain price I paid

I get all of her designer clothes second hand, just keep an eye out for them.

I saved up 🤷‍♀️ a warm winter coat was a priority though. Ds used to walk / cycle to college in a Scottish winter. I’m disabled and sitting in a wheelchair is bloody freezing!

Have a look on Vinted? My teen was after an expensive branded coat last winter as all their mates had them. Couldn’t afford new but with careful searching eventually got one in immaculate condition for £10!

£300 is an absolutely mental amount for a coat to take to school and inevitably get lost, damaged or stolen.

Well in Belfast some may well be stolen. Or fake.
We don’t say ‘Road man’ in NI. The derogatory term (which I don’t use) would be Spide or Smick. Ned or Bam in Scotland

My friend has worn the same one every winter for 20 years and it still looks good and keeps her warm. Probably not as well made these days as nothing is, but they do seem to be long-lasting.

How long are they going to be in fashion for, do people think? I did buy her some Doc Marten shoes for school this year because they last forever and, should her feet grow, they fit me, so it was definitely thinking long term that made spending over £100 for a pair of shoes make sense.

All the teenagers rocking TV news reporter chic 😂

If you want to put them off ask them why they want to dress like Evan Davies

My DS got a Norfie about 8 years ago (in Y9!) He still wears it nearly every day and it still looks good. Best buy ever!

Yes, lots of teens do have them, but they can be bought for a lot less than that.
Jd sport sells NF, they have outlet shops and always discounts and sales in their website

What's DHGate?

North Face used to make high end technical clothing and the cost was high due to technical research and quality of their goods. In the early 2000s, Vanity Fair Mills acquisition lead to many of the best people moving and the brand becoming more of a high street brand but the costs remained.

If you really want to spend that sort of money for technical clothing that will last you need the likes or padagonia, Arcteryx, RAB, ect.

It's now a fad clothing at a cost.

My 16 year old's coat was £15 plus delivery from ebay last year. It's good quality and warm and he is happy with it. He has never cared for brands though.

Sheesh no.

My one refuses to wear a coat full-stop. She'd rather put on ten jumpers than wear one. But saying that her friendship group are very Meh about labels, preferring charity and vintage shops over designer.

What about eBay? Depop?

Thanks for this. Was just coming to ask what a road man is.

try Vinted op. I’ve got a lot from there that my kids ‘must have’ as ‘everyone’s wearing them’

sheep 😂

My 15 yr old DS has a NF jacket and it is definitely good quality, looks good and warm and lasts for years but got it in the sale so was reduced to £100

That's the case at DD's school. But people invariably don't pay full price, or buy second hand, or the kids have jobs and contribute.
DD Does have a North Face, she stole mine, it was £150 online. I bought myself another one from Ebay for £60.

Shopping around + discount codes. Got DS his NF puffa jacket by waiting for a sale and stacking a discount code plus NHS discount meant it was £65, which is what I would spend on a decent winter jacket anyway.

He likes Lacoste too which I can't afford either but the stuff if good quality so I can pick up on vinted.

I’m from a poor housing estate and they all have them because them or their parents drug deal or they get them on credit and pay by bit for them