To be upset at dress ILs have just bought DD (6) ...

[wishingchair]

... I know I am a bit but MIL wanted to take DD dress shopping. She normally likes to leaf through Boden catalogue looking at the lovely clothes and she knows how she normally dresses and the things I normally buy ... DD is very much into nice dresses, skirts etc. I trusted MIL (she's also just bought DD2 a really lovely dress) so didn't set any parameters.

They came back with a black and fuschia dress made out of t-shirt material. Puffball skirt with fuschia top complete with ruched up sleeves and topped off with a black patent belt. They got age 10-11 so there was growing room in it. Oh and a silver quilted handbag with Sharpay written on it (from disney store). They spent £30 on entire outfit. The whole image makes her look 27 years old circa 1988.

I am gutted. DH says I'm over-reacting and I if there were complete no-nos then I should've said so. So yes in that sense I know I ABU but still ...

And more importantly, how do I now handle DD so she (a) doesn't wear this outfit ALL the time and (b) I don't make her feel bad as she clearly loves it.

Well I would just try and see the funny side, it's not to your taste but then neither is it innappropriate so nowt to worry about IMO.

When I look back at some of the clothes I used to wear as a kid there are some shockers, think gold Dallas style frocks, socks combined with shoes, bermuda shorts, a gorgeous pink jumper with Kylie's head stuck on the front and I used to love riding my bike in the street in my bridesmaid dress complete with bike chain marks and a teared hem.

I don't ever remember my mum dissapproving.

I would just be honest, sort of anyway. Tell MIL that you tried the dress on DD and although its a lovely dress you think it looks too old for her and wouldnt feel comfortable with her wearing it.

If she knows your style and usually chooses clothes well, I dont think she will be too upset. She probably got rail roaded into buying it by DD who thought it was lovely and made her look all grown up, especially with the Sharpey bag.

NOw I have seen the dress its not actually that bad, at least it is not revealing/overtly sexy style which some of the girls clothes are now. Also it does not have 'babe/cutey/gorgeous' type writing on it which I personally cannot abide.I would put it to the back of the wardrobe and hope she forgets it- maybe if you don't mention it she will choose other things to wear instead. But honestly its not to bad so don't worry. Maybe you need to buy a dress yourself that she will prefer and wear instead!!

Think yourself lucky.

My dd (4yrs) is currently parading around in her pink knickers, pink fluffy high heels, pink sunglasses and with what is left of her easter bonnet on her head.

She is dancing in front of the mirror.

Where did you say your daughter's dress came from again?