to buy lovely warm coats for dd's even though they already have some.

[thesockmonsterofdoom]

I very rarely buy anything for dd's as we get a lot of hand me downs and they are always lovely. Anyway today I decided I was fed up of being cold, so took dd's to local outdoor type shop to get myself a new coat, looking at dd's both wearing scruffy coats, I can't get dd2's clean anymore although it is a gorgeous coat. So I bought them both new, warm, waterproof lovely coats. Now I feel a bit guilty as it is a bit wasteful. I have put the other coats in the wash and will see how clean I can get them, then they may go to the charity shop or keep here as spares if I can't get them clean. So am I a horrid consumerist non eco type person now?

Of course YANBU. It is important to have a nice coat, both to keep warm and to look smart.

Keep the old ones for mucky days/walks in the countryside and enjoy the new ones!

I'd love to buy DD1 a gorgeous warm waterproof coat (particularly today as it was cold and wet when she left at 7.05am) but she won't wear anything warmer than her much loved (fake) leather jacket which is about as warm as a t-shirt

YANBU

You need a spare coat for each child anyway, for the days when coat get's left at school / nursery/ friend's house / other car etc.

yanbu.

castille!

The DSSs have got those sleeveless doudounes this year and actually want to wear them, over their Abercrombie hoodies...

Totally agree with Anna, mucky coats can be for garden/parks messiness.
Keep the lovely new ones for the smart about town look

I have just had to hide dd's sandels as they both seemed to think as long it's not raining they are fine.
They are lovely coats, as is mine (although they are all the same make so I hope we don't match too much) castille is she a teenager? I am dreading that.

Anna don't mention Abercrombie... we had a dinner-long discussion about how she didn't need one but rather wanted one (loaded, influential friend has one, natch)

She had a sleeveless doudoune until recently and a gorgeous pea coat last year neither pass muster this year

I've bought DD two this year

A cherry red hodded duffle which is waterproof to a point and so pretty.

Then a blue one with vintage fire engine print on it , it was too nice to resist and is totally waterproof.

If she actually wore the Abercrombie hoodie (which are really quite practical and warm), maybe it would be a worthwhile investment? Or maybe I could send you DSS1's when he has outgrown and discarded it! He actually put a rather nice one out for recycling this summer - it has now been claimed by someone else!

What a kind offer, Anna Won't your DSS2 want it?

She did ask for a new black cardigan today, but only the thin kind for wearing over equally thin tunic tops... though she will wear cotton polo necks underneath and isn't yet refusing to wear her petit bateau strappy vests so methinks she does feel the cold a bit!

What a lovely post sockmonster. It's so frustrating reading post after post about over-consuming on MN.

Only you know what your DC really need and don't feel guilty about buying new items if they need them, but why not consider (if you haven't already) buying fairtrade clothing when buying new? Almost all of my DS's clothes are from charity, hand me downs, ebay or if I buy from from fairtrade/organic stores. The money I save from the second hand clothes means I can afford the more expensive FT items from time to time.

We bought both DCs lovely new warm coats this year (with Gap F&F discount ).

On the whole I like to get their clothes from charity shops but when you need a specific item in a specific size at a specific time, I think 'normal' shops are ok. Plus the quality of charity shop clothes has gone down in the recession. I wonder if people are ebaying instead of donating? Or the charity shops are busier and I'm missing the good stuff?

DS seems to need his coat washing every day as he gets it covered in mud, so he also has last year's coat which is a little small but ok, and I just got him another coat for £1.99 from a charity shop, only it is massive on him.

DSS2 is almost as big as DSS1 so there is no passing down of clothing in this household anymore. I wouldn't wish DSS2's discarded clothing on anyone but Princess DSS1 discards some lovely things that need a good home. If I get my hands on another barely worn Abercrombie hoodie, it'll be yours!

You are NBU.
I bought dd a new coat in Matalan yesterday- 20% off so it was £40. (from ladies dept)
She is still wearing the coat she had in yr 6 in yr 8, and doesn't really have another one. It's a lovely warm hooded one, which is knee length- I always hated having to wear my school coat at the weekend, so I think she deserves an alternative. I have more than 1 coat (probably about 8!).

You will make her very happy, Anna

Still hoping she will see the need for a warm coat at some stage this winter...