Finding clothes for 4yo dd- NIGHTMARE!!!

[thatsnotmymonster]

Ok so dd (4.5) is much harder than most to buy for given that she won't wear any item of clothing that has a button on it (decorative or otherwise)- she has had this phobia for at least 18mths now.

Coupled with this she is extremely petite for her age but her legs seem to be quite long!

So my mum and I took her shopping in Edinburgh yesterday as she really could do with some more clothes (that are not age 12-18mths, lol). We went in to Edinburgh and went to Mothercare, Gap, John Lewis, Debenhams, H&M and Zara- we managed to buy 2 pairs of tights, a black zip up short sleeved heavy cotton dress in Zara that she can wear long sleeved T's underneath and leggings and 2 long sleeved t-shirt/tunicy things to go with them in Next (not ideal for the climate but best we could find!).

HOWEVER, nearly all the clothes in all the shops we visited were ultra summery- all strappy sundresses, white cropped trousers and t-shirts ad infinitum. The occasional light cotton zip up hoodie or cardie. Erm, it's January, in Scotland and we have months of cold weather yet to come. Oh and most of the clothes were vile anyway- all glam and glitzy ar just YUCK.

aaaaaahhhhhh...where do people buy nice clothes!!!?

Rant over.

And I do accept that the button thing makes it pretty much impossible anyway...any suggestions on getting over that hurdle? (may actually start a new thread about it)

have you had a look at vertbaudet?

not recently but I do check it out from time to time...think it used to be better than it is now?

Will have a look now though...thanks!

I used to get a lot of stuff from Lands End - good quality, and they always have lots of pull-on skirts, jersey dresses etc that might work for you.

When I think about it, I don't think my DD wears anything with a button on it on most days. She nearly always wears skirts or dresses (which also last much longer than trousers since they just get a bit shorter, whereas trousers that are too short are much more obvious). I also find it easier to get her snow trousers on over tights and a skirt than over trousers.

Her skirts are mostly on elastic, and the dresses are either pull-on (from H&M) have zips, or ties. In fact about the only thing she wears that has buttons on it is a Lego skirt with three completely gratuitous buttons on it near the hem!

H&M are usually good for winter things, but they seem to stock weirdly - the winter coats seem to all sell out at the beginning of October and then they don't get them in again. Then they start stocking summer stuff early, for a Swedish shop!

jersey dress from Kite Kids sale

also from Kite Kids

red cord skirt from Tulip and Nettle sale

Black fleece with braid round the hood, also T&N sale. DD has one of these in slate blue and it's very warm and useful

denim dress from T&N sale - has a tie at the back

second Landsend - fab quality

Another vote for Lands End. Nice quality, practical for children, not glittery etc., and winter stuff is available online.

Don't forget Ebay.

asos sale- although they seem to be selling all their stuff off, so I'm not sure if they're discontinuing the kids' stuff?

Take the buttons off cardigans and sew a piece of ribbon on it to tie it together.
Or would you get away with this one as you can't see the button www.johnlewis.com/170943/Style.aspx

What a blatant advertisement given you don't carry the sizes of the OP's daughter, which she states in the first sentence.

Thanks for all the links guys! Some great stuff!

Mamatomany- I have tried that type of thing before i.e. removing gratuitous buttons etc but she still refuses. She will also closely inspect any item of clothing for any hidden buttons. TBH it drives me mad and sometimes I do draw the line and force her to wear something but she inevitably takes it off during the day and changes into something else...

Neve saw Coco's message!

Why are little girls so fussy

I love the skirt from Tulip and co...only I find it difficult to but things like that (esp online) as usually the waist is way too big and they just fall down, same with leggings. Usually even 18-24mths are too big- does no one else find this? I can buy dresses as long as I buy age 2-3yrs but leggings and skirts are more difficult!

plain tops, no buttons

these are cute too

www.clothingattesco.com/girls/f+f-2-pack-legging-set/invt/ao021066/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catggirls,girls-girls-ages-1-7 leggings]]

jumper, no buttons

All cheap as chips!

you need something like that, or transform what you have to make it like that trousers

We have lots of soft jersey/cotton/wool stuff for dd (5rys) and I mainly buy in Joules (great sale - got 2 fab very heavy quality jersey jumper dresses there), DPAM, MinnyMo, POP, Monsoon etc

As I think about it, pretty much none of her clothes have buttons at all as I mainly select things that are easy for her to get on & off, so lots of leggings etc. I can confirm that the joules range is very narrow fitting and is FAB for slender children as my dd is & the things I got from here are pretty much the only leggings I have not had to take in on the waist.

Have you been into Jenners and looked at the POP (Polarn o. Pyret) range? It is in the basement. Lots of jumper dresses and skirts with elasticated waists and not a button in sight. Also quite a few zip up cardis!

They have a website http://www.polarnopyret.se/england here

the clothes are also quite slim fitting. I have a tall skinny 4.5 year old and it fits her well.

Yes we went into Jenners and checked out POP and Pumpkin Patch and even Ralph Lauren and Catamini. Couldn't afford most of it but seriously there wasn't anything suitable!!! Maybe cos dd was getting so fed up by that time it was hard to concentrate any more...lol

The dc's all have pop ski suits/jackets from the jenners sale 2 years ago- best clothes they've ever had and well worth it given the snow over the last 2 years!

Yes - you have to wait for the sales on that Jenners stuff. Catimini is outrageously expensive! (good thing my mum over indulges my kids)