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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think more expensive clothes do actually look alot better?

84 replies

JeanPoole · 21/04/2009 10:46

i used to think doesn't matter how much the clothes cost or where they are from, makes no difference.

with dd i normally get her clothes from tescos, matalan and next.

shes got one or two bits from boden and monsoon.

everytime she wears the boden and monsoon stuff everyone says how lovely she looks and asks where i got her outfit from etc.

im amazed people really pay much attention to what shes wearing.

but now its making me think, should i get her nicer stuff more often
?

OP posts:
OrmIrian · 21/04/2009 10:50

No. Because she grows out of it too soon. My DC have loads of t-shirts that get out of shape after 20 or so washes but TBH they are getting to big for them by then. Special clothes, yes OK, spend on those if you can, but not everyday stuff. ANyway, not all 'cheap' clothes are poor quality anyway. And I've had some tat from Monsoon too

Obviously for you those rules don't apply. Unless you are still growing of course

BlingDreaming · 21/04/2009 11:03

I thought this was in the context of adults - I think that better quality clothes do make a difference if you're a bit overweight or if you're out of proportion or whatever. I also think it depends on the individual type of clothing and person - eg pencil skirts frankly look fine as long as they fit no matter where you buy them, but a quality pair of trousers can make or break you...

BonsoirAnna · 21/04/2009 11:06

I love good quality clothes and good quality clothes that are much more flattering (whatever your age, shape or size) cost more. But there are also brands that are reasonably priced that have good cuts - I love my DD in Gap jeans, for example.

KingCanuteIAm · 21/04/2009 11:06

I agree, I used to buy mine supermarket clothes, they had loads of sets, plenty of choice etc but they always looked like they were dressed in supermarket clothes IYSWIM.

Now I buy far fewer clothes but almost all of them from decent places, boden, no added sugar etc. Firstly the quality is better and secondly they have much nicer, more indivdual clothes. THe only exception being leggings and t-shirts which I still get from next etc. This is simply because I find t-shirts get ruined faster and leggings are not different enough to be worth the extra cost.

My own "top tip" is, no matter what else you do, always get tights from a decent shop (ie better than next/m&s) the differenceis increadible, they last so much longer, don't go thin, shrink, wash out.. well worth it IMO!

newgirl · 21/04/2009 11:06

if you have two girls then good quality is fab - i have used boden etc for both girls and they are as good as new for second child

the fit on things like fatface/gap/boden jeans etc are much better than on tesco

you can also sell some stuff at nct sales etc so you can get some money back for them

i buy it in the sales to start with though so not a great deal in price difference in the end

Watchtheworldcomealivetonight · 21/04/2009 11:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KingCanuteIAm · 21/04/2009 11:11

Sorry, yes, i meant to say, using sales anf buying ahead of season etc I don't actually spend any more on clothes than I did before IYSWIM.

Umlellala · 21/04/2009 11:14

yep, good quality. second-hand. (though ds looks nice in his sainsburys top today!! )

newgirl · 21/04/2009 11:17

i agree with tk maxx - great for party dresses and jeans

i like hennes too for tops - cotton tops for 5.99 etc are pretty hard to beat though they do do some weird stuff in there from time to time

Original poster
JeanPoole · 21/04/2009 11:22

well my dd hardly has any clothes, i was looking at some photos of her at mils last week.
and she was always in the same clothes!

what amount of ourfits is normal?

i will try gap and tk max.

could anyone reccomend some places i could try for clothes for her? other than boden monsoon tesco matalan or next?
i don't mind buying from ebay if i know what brands to search for.

what is m and s like?

OP posts:
traceybath · 21/04/2009 11:23

For the children i definitely buy fewer and better quality - just wash them more often.

Do like h&m for t-shirts though - the plain or stripey ones that is.

Original poster
JeanPoole · 21/04/2009 11:26

the thing is, as i hardley buy her any clothes i can't really go for fewer if you see what i mean.

shes 22 months.

some of last summer clothes still fit esp tops, i'm wondering how long clothes last at this age?

OP posts:
Original poster
JeanPoole · 21/04/2009 11:27

i used to think it doesn't matter where you buy clothes from, because they are all made in the same factory in china!

OP posts:
IneedAbetterNickname · 21/04/2009 11:31

I dont necessarily agree. My DSs are dressed in mostly Primark, Tesco, Asda and some next stuff. My nephew wears mostly stuff from Debenhams, Junior J etc and his clothes cost about twice as much as what I buy. Most of what I have bought looks as good condition wise, on DS2 as it did on DS1. And when we have been to family events, people always comment on how nice my 2 look, but ignore DNs more expensive outfits! It pisses SIL off no-end, which I think is hysterical as she is a twat anyway! LOL

trixymalixy · 21/04/2009 11:32

I dress my DS in gap and boden etc, but I buy it all on ebay or from TK Maxx.

I gave up on supermarket stuff apart from for nursery as it really doesn't look as good for as long as better quality stuff.

You can get BNWT stuff for much less than in the shops on ebay.

OrmIrian · 21/04/2009 11:35

Some George stuff is OK IME. Jeans have to come from Gap for DD because she is long in the leg. I have bought from Primark for DS#1 and 2 because they get through jeans like you wouldn't beleive. DS#2 because of being on his hands and kneew all the time and DS#s because of his skateboard.

Original poster
JeanPoole · 21/04/2009 15:13

ok i will look on ebay
thanks

OP posts:
oldraver · 21/04/2009 15:25

When DS wears something 'special' like yesterday he was wearing a lovely Marese outfit people do comment, but I think thats because it looks different and bright not like most of the mud coloured clothes that seems to be aimed at boys

I dont care where I buy his clothes its just the design that appeals to me but certain brands do have some very nice designs. I wouldnt say they are better made at all

oldraver · 21/04/2009 15:32

Jean .. have a look at these brands.. Marese, Me Too, Oilily, Catimini. If you search on Ebay you can get last seasons designs BNWT at much reduced prices

www.allthingscute.co.uk/store/list.asp?sid=109&gclid=CMnuzuyXgpoCFQFHFQodl0xXGg

www.designer-kids.co.uk/

Morloth · 21/04/2009 15:32

Nope, my DS exudes a sort of inner scruff, so even if he is nicely dressed in something expensive - the fact that it is HIM wearing it makes it look a mess within about 10 minutes.

I have given up on the following:

Nice clothes, nice haircuts and a clean/unbruised face. It simply isn't possible and I might as well get his kit from BHS and have his head shaved at the barbers every couple of months.

Love my scruffy/grubby little boy .

tiredemma · 21/04/2009 15:34

I thought this when strolling through Primark yesterday.

newgirl · 21/04/2009 15:38

jeanpoole - try and find an nct sale in a good area - they are amazing for clothes for toddlers as they hardly worn out eg gap jeans 3 quid - i got loads from the one in st albans a couple of years ago - coats, jumpers etc

and good recycling

francagoestohollywood · 21/04/2009 15:38

IANBU. Good quality (therefore more expensive) look better on anyone.

norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 15:51

I tend to buy better quality stuff for DD, usually second hand or in the sales. I'd rather have a smaller amount of nice stuff than piles and piles of tat. Anyway better quality stuff can hack more washing and drying without looking old IME.

norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 15:55

Oh, and this way I'm never 'forced' to buy her pink stuff either. It seems the cheaper the clothes the more gender stereotyped they are, fine if you like that sort of thing but personally I'm working on holding off the pink wave as long as possible