MIL 'snubbing' our DD's clothing choices?!

[Sunrays22]

This may be a non-issue for some but my MIL buys and keeps a stash of clothes she's chosen and bought for my 4 year old DD at her house. In theory this is all lovely and completely appreciate MIL can spend her money however she chooses, however she lives over 2 hours away and my DD doesn't regularly stay with her (probably 4 times a year max) to the point I wonder if she's grown out of the clothes/toys by her next visit. I don't know why she doesn't send her home with them so she can actually get some wear out of them rather than for an occasional weekend?

We send DD in clothes and with a suitcase packed and she comes back having not worn what we've sent. MIL doesn't actually tell us what she needs/wants us to pack for DD so I've no idea what clothes she has there as if we had some idea it would save me the hassle of packing! The only way we have found out about the clothes is by photos sent to us of DD in new clothes which are then kept at MIL's house. I mainly feel like it's saying the clothes we send DD in aren't 'good enough' and it might just be me but I find it to be very controlling behaviour.

MIL also does this with a stash of toys and it's upset me as now my DD has got into the habit of asking if she can bring things back home because she's used to MIL keeping things there...

Is it just me or would others find this annoying too?!

I don’t see the problem with this.
Does your MIL have a daughter?
It comes across like she just absolutely adores and dotes on your DD and likes making her feel good with new clothes. Maybe it’s a bonding thing?
My Nanna used to paint my nails to match hers.
My Mum used to find outfits that were similar to my DD’s because she was just obsessed with her granddaughter 🥲 it was cute.

This is only a problem if there’s tension between you and MIL and she’s doing it to purposefully make a dig at your choice of clothing for your DD but only you will know if that’s the case.
My MIL will never meet my DC, rancid witch, and she’d do much worse than swap their clothes.

I think that’s really weird behaviour. My grandparents didn’t do that when I dated at their houses and my parents didn’t do that for mine. Of course they would buy the odd item of clothing, particularly if it became necessary for some reason, but they would come home unless linked with a specific activity, e.g. a spare swim suit. Having said all of that, if that’s the only thing and you otherwise trust her I guess it’s just a pointless and wasteful quirk.