Call me an old **** but where have all the classic children's clothes gone??

[Countingthegreyhairs]

I was determined this year to get ahead with buying children's clothes for spring/summer online before all the nice stock had sold out. However, I tend to favour quite plain old-fashioned clothes (we're not talking Little Lord Fauntleroy here, just basic polo tops and trousers in plain colours) and I'm finding that there's not a lot to choose from out there. For example, I don't personally want to dress my 3 yr old dd in pink ra-ra skirts and combat trousers but even Boden this year seem to have gone for items with a million pockets and wierd colours. Then I walked in to Petit Bateau and saw blue net tutus being sold at vast expense and not a plain dress or skirt in site? And what's with all the sludgy colours? What's going on or am I just hopelessly out of date? Any ideas anyone??

I think children's clothes are just becoming overly fashion season orientated.

The clothes makers have obviously cottoned on to the fact that if they make clothes very identifiable to a particular season, then people are more likely to feel that they look dated a couple of years on?

You could get plain polo shirts etc from a stockist such as Simon Jersey.

tescos sometiems do plain tshrits 4 for £8 not too patterned

plain tees, polo shirts, fleeces etc here - great service and often very cheap.

Oops, Simon Jersey is actually a work clothes site, cant remember what the others are called, my mum has an embroidery business and uses loads of companies to purchase plain clothes from, I think one is called something like blossom bloom.

I think JoJo has some really nice stuff.. In fact I'm a bit obsessed with their catalogue and baby isn't here yet.
I've been to their shops and had a 'good feel' of the stuff and it is very good quality. I also think the price are reasonable especially their pretty dresses for little girls
jojo

I get plain trousers and tops from La Redoute catalogue for DS. Haven't really checked out the girls section yet as DD has lots of older girl cousins. (She is two and so far all we have bought her is two button up vests, 1 raincoat, 1 pair of tights and shoes.)

fruit of the loom is the one I was thinking of.

also American Apparel - not especially cheap but ethically produced and they have good basic sundresses in plain colours.

Thanks all. I will check out all of the suggestions which look very promising. (Had forgotten about JoJo actually as had some very good maternity clothes from them which really washed well.) I'm with you Cloudhopper - it's all a big marketing ploy I reckon- to persuade us to buy new clothes season after season. Personally, I like to buy plain stuff (that you can easily coordinate) that's too large and wash it again and again (Petit Bateau used to be good for this)and make it last TWO seasons. Also I like children to look like children and not have to worry about looking fashionable. They'll be plenty of time for all those pressures when they are teenagers.!! All those sludge colours must be cheaper to produce too methinks. I'm starting to rant here so I'll stop ...

Have a look at \link[http://www.jako-o.com/\jako-o}. They're German, but deliver to the uk, and have loads of basic plains and nice bright stripes - no sludge in sight!

Sorry - try again jako-o .

H&M had some lovely duffle coats this winter

The Children's Warehouse is good for plain basics.

Thanks again - will definitely be adding these suggestions to my on-line list of favourites!!

I know it's expensive but you can't beat ralph lauren for classic kids stuff, polos, tees, and things like that, and it does wash and wear very well (Ebay.com always has bargains}