Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To dress siblings the same?

186 replies

RickWhittington · 18/12/2023 19:32

Really important post. Vital. Life depends on it. I know, my choice and all but tacky as hell or unbelievably cute?

OP posts:
Fern86 · 18/12/2023 23:01

I loved it being the younger sister and my older sister hated it 😂

Nicesalad · 18/12/2023 23:03

Cute. Can't see what's tacky about it. Although obviously it's more expensive to always dress them the same.

Schoolchoicesucks · 18/12/2023 23:03

As a one off for a wedding party or Christmas, fine. All the time, what on earth are you thinking?

ColleenDonaghy · 18/12/2023 23:03

I have girls that are 5 and 3, they LOVE to have the same clothes, plus it means fewer arguments if they have the same. So we do it occasionally.

If you think the 3yo will like the baby, then go ahead.

Didoqueenofcarthage · 18/12/2023 23:05

I have two DD (4.5 and 2) - I used to think it was unbelievably tacky, but since DD2 was about a year old, we do it on occasions when one or the other of them asks for it!

I think it's cute they want to match - and if they don't want to match, then no big deal. I definitely would not enforce it.

TMess · 18/12/2023 23:08

I don’t match like a twin set but I do coordinate all five of mine at least once a week. They think it’s fun.

Womencanlift · 18/12/2023 23:09

Very cringe and tacky at any age, even more so at a more formal event (wedding party aside where everyone is the same)

Going by people I know in real life who do it, it is definitely attention seeking

Wheelz46 · 18/12/2023 23:11

For me, the only time matching outfits should be worn is the school uniform.

I see plenty of siblings wearing matching outfits, it's definitely not something I would do but anyone wishing to, can crack on, no judgement from me.

TedandRebecca4eva · 18/12/2023 23:14

I had to dress my sons the same until they were about 5/7 because my eldest wanted it, because he hated it if his brother had something different/better and it was easier. His brother is so easygoing he didn't give a toss, everyone was happy

FrangipaniBlue · 19/12/2023 07:38

Depends on the age and scenario....

I can see the benefit for small children out on a visit somewhere busy, easy to find/keep an eye on them.

But any other scenario no, cringey.

Zevitevitchofcrimas · 19/12/2023 07:41

It depends how often and in what clothes. We did it occasionally... Not tacky at all.

Oddestofsocks · 19/12/2023 08:19

OctoblocksAssemble · 18/12/2023 21:02

Eldest dd is wearing a dress. Youngest dd has a strop because she wants to wear the same dress. I'm going through the wardrobe trying to find something she'll accept, when eldest dd rushes off to her own wardrobe and triumphantly comes back with another copy of her dress, which is one size too big for her (sale shopping, got carried away). Youngest dd insists that she must wear this dress, which on her is 3 sizes too big. Whilst baggy due to the style it does stay on/isn't trailing on the floor so that's how they go out.
TLDR: it's not always the parents pushing the matching outfits!

Now that's more like what used to happen in my house 😂

Daveismyhero · 19/12/2023 08:20

Are they old enough to ask them? My younger sisters used to choose to wear matching outfits

stresshead38 · 19/12/2023 08:47

I don't usually dress my twins the same (age 7). It's more because I want people to easily know who is who and not keep getting their names wrong as they're identical. They have a lot of matching clothes because honestly it's a nightmare if I find one dress they love but not a second as their personal preferences are very similar... but tend to wear them at different times.

They do sometimes match but that is their choice if they pick out the same outfit in the same day.

Having said that I don't have an opinion on other people dressing their children matching. I prefer coordinating personally (so same dress, different colour. Or different outfit but same colour etc) but I wouldn't look at matching and think anything bad.

Oddestofsocks · 19/12/2023 10:17

I'm interested in the notion of people 'dressing' their 4 years plus chidren. I mean, don't most choose what to wear by then? They have enough conformity at school. Obviously they need to wear something appropriate for circumstances- formal if necessary, and clean, well fitting etc if leaving the house. But my lot had a huge amount of choice so the concept of 'dressing' older twins is a bit bonkers to me!

lanthanum · 19/12/2023 10:27

Heyhoherewegoagain · 18/12/2023 19:54

Tacky as fuck and especially unfair on the elder child

Nah - if you're in a household where hand-me-downs are essential, it's hardest on child number 3 who gets to wear the same outfit for 3/4 years.

MrsSkylerWhite · 19/12/2023 10:29

Cute if they’re 18 months. Not so much at 17 years 😁

mewkins · 19/12/2023 10:37

I don't see it as tacky but then I grew up in the 80s where it was standard (and also far less choice of kids clothes available!).

SuspiciousSue · 19/12/2023 10:38

I loathe this, so tacky. Poor kids.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 19/12/2023 10:44

lanthanum · 19/12/2023 10:27

Nah - if you're in a household where hand-me-downs are essential, it's hardest on child number 3 who gets to wear the same outfit for 3/4 years.

Show quote history

Good point 😂

LBFseBrom · 19/12/2023 10:57

mewkins · 19/12/2023 10:37

I don't see it as tacky but then I grew up in the 80s where it was standard (and also far less choice of kids clothes available!).

Mine was born in the autumn of 1979 and there were loads of clothes available in the 1990s, a lot of them not expensive if you looked around, chain stores like BHS were good. It may vary according to wear you live of course but there was much in the way of children's clothes in most towns.

mewkins · 19/12/2023 10:59

LBFseBrom · 19/12/2023 10:57

Mine was born in the autumn of 1979 and there were loads of clothes available in the 1990s, a lot of them not expensive if you looked around, chain stores like BHS were good. It may vary according to wear you live of course but there was much in the way of children's clothes in most towns.

Show quote history

I grew up in London. I suspect my parents were just lacking in imagination 🙃

stresshead38 · 19/12/2023 12:14

@lanthanum mine are 7 and still don't really mind if I pick out their clothes.
Some days they will say 'no I want to wear a dress/skirt/trousers today' but usually they're more than happy with what a pull out!

Spirallingdownwards · 19/12/2023 12:31

RickWhittington · 18/12/2023 19:55

But but but

they will be so CUTE 😭

They are opposite sex. 3 and 4 months. 4 month old has a dress, 3 year old the accompanying jumper.

Cute at this age. Don't carry on past 5 though would be my personal cut off (although I may do matching colours!) For professional photos then family colour matching is appropriate too!

twoshedsjackson · 19/12/2023 13:11

Unless they are identical twins, one will look (maybe only slightly) better in the outfit than the other, which could store up resentment, recorded forever in photos etc.
If they attend the same school. they are already being made to match by default; why not let them be their own person when "off duty"?

Swipe left for the next trending thread