Random question/rant - girl's clothes

[SparklyPrincess]

If you've got a girl of 5 or so. Where do you get her clothes from?!

Having real trouble finding stuff that a) fits b) doesn't look like it should be for a 12 year old and c) isn't out of an eighties nightmare

I'm finding that now that she's pretty much out of the 'younger' section where the nicer stuff is it's all awful. Yet I see children wearing nice clothes. Please help me so I don't start accosting mums on the street .

That is all.

Ipswich or online, gap in the sale sometimes, not really anywhere in colchester

wait till the h&m opens?

Debenhams/M&S (but have to search through all the weird stuff to find the odd nice bit)

Tesco/sainsburys (but again with the searching).

I have got some good stuff from charity shops

I will get colourful basics from here when she needs them in the summer:
www.rainbowbabies.co.uk/ as a lot of their stuff goes up to 8/9 and is sized quite large.

I am desperately waiting for the H&M to open but in the meantime have bought myself a sewing machine and am making/altering some clothes for DD and DS. I am also so pleased she is at school as it means she is wearing her clothes less so she needs fewer!

H&M?! Where?! When?! I'm clearly out of the loop here!

Where's good in Ipswich Mii (should I know who you are - not good with names on here!)

Thankyou DingALongCow I'll check that website out - I'd love to be able to make clothes actually, I have a sewing machine but I'm lacking in any sort of talent or the ability to use it (got it from mum without any instruction!)

H&M planned for the old Woolworths building I think. Can't wait!

Sparkly- The internet has some fantastic tutorials on sewing. I have about 100 links to useful patterns/advice from just one google. I also turn to it when I have problems with my machine which is a cheap one. I have no talent whatsoever but I waste so much of my time searching for clothes for DD and DS that I like.

If I find time this week I am making something similar to this for DD:

www.rufflesandstuff.com/2009/12/bubble-skirt-from-tights-scraps.html

or this:

www.graceviolet.com/2009/02/how-to-make-skirt-from-dish-towels.html

and these trousers for DS who is an odd shaped baby:

www.make-baby-stuff.com/baby-yoga-pants.html

I also found a super knitting site and am making DD some accessories having taught myself to knit last week using it. I was surprised just how easy it was.

gap mostly for dd, some H&M for basics - occasionally debenhams for the odd bit.

now dd is at school I don't mind paying a bit more for clothes as she doesn't need so many!

There is a great 2nd hand place just past Ipswich on the A14 called Choices. Its in a barn and, although it seems quite a distance away, its well worth a trip now and again. Basically, people sell their old stuff through these people and they have a few barns full of clothes for children of all ages, toys, books, equipment...anything child related really. Its all quite good condition and relatively cheap.

I need to make another trip up there, so we could arrange a time to head over there if you fancy it.

Dingalongcow - you are very good making your own clothes. I get sewing rage as soon as I get the machine out!

My friend runs her own business & I get DDs dresses from her, very nicely priced too This is her website I also get some good bargains in trusty Peacocks, some nice bits in Tesco & Next but I also buy bundles from eBay as it's much cheaper & you can get some really lovely clothes that way.

You wait Norma - I've got no problem seeing stuff for DD2 (who REALLY doesn't need any more clothes!) but it all goes horribly wrong when they get into the 'older girls' category.

Sounds like a good idea Mung - will probably end up there a lot as it sounds pretty near the in-laws.

I always intend to knit stuff Dingalongcow but haven't got around to it for a long time. Only problem is that it can end up more expensive to hand-knit the stuff if you get suckered in by the posh wool. Which I know that I will!

At the moment I just want some simple skirts - denim or something. I'll check gap next time I'm in town - always thought it was too pricey but maybe I didn't look hard enough. I agree, I don't need so much now so I don't mind paying a little more (plus I know it'll end up as a hand-me-down)

I've found my flier for Choices

opening times:
Tues-Fri 10-4.30
Sat 10-4

Address:
Manor Farm
Church Lane
Barham
Ipswich
IP6 0PU

Thanks Mung - perhaps I'll compare heights of your DS and my DD1 so we can go during the week

So, you want to dress DS in girls clothes He'll love it!

The NCT sales are great too Sparkly. I get alot of dresses etc there.

But I second the Debenhams,M&S,and BHS.

Primark in Ipswich is good too.Some things in Asda and Tesco's too.Have to pick and choose I find.I hate all the trendy stuff for 5 yr olds too,plenty of time for that later IMO.

Most of my friends comment on the dresses,Pinafores and skirts that I have bought for DD1 from NCT Sales, a little more "classic" I find.

PMSL, Mung - perhaps there'll be fairy wings!

Thanks Sawyer - I've always avoided NCT sales as I hate sales in general, can't be bothered with the pushing and shoving. Maybe I'll have to risk it. I've got some nice stuff from Sainsbury's but the supermarkets have a limited range. Tesco stuff hardly ever fits and I've found ASDA to be really really tarty trendy recently ;-)

Why are all the children's sections so small, as well?

I go to Ipswich and take DP's credit card a fair amount of money with me (I have 3 dc's), and get a whole heap from H&M every 3 months or so. They're a lot less tarty less revealing in their clothing styles, even for DD (11yo) but wearing age 14-15yo clothes as she's tall. I can't wait for H&M to open in Woolworths, will save me the train fare to Ipswich.

I got sent through a Vertbaudet catalogue the other day which has a 'happy price' section. I've always thought their clothes are really nice because they are French and the French seem to like dressing their children like children instead of mini images of themselves (which is where all that tarty crap comes in!). They are online. x Oh and Boden do lovely girls stuff - but only when they have a half price sale on!!!