Buying Designer Clothing for Children / Teenagers Discussion

[Lena]

**at least include the terms ...
right or wrong...or discussion or... opinion...
i will not quibble with the semantics...
only that the title accurately reflect the topic of discussion...
so as to attract the members who are genuinely interested in such a discussion...
thanks....

no problems softie

 

[softgrey]

thank you...

 

[Tinuviel]

hmm Perhaps a couple of nice pieces for the kid, you know for special occasions and to save for when they grow up so either the mom or the kid can still have a keepsake of their childhood. Doesn't necessarily have to always be a "designer" piece, but maybe a really nice christening gown or a sweet well made frock of good quality material. My mom saved some of my prettier childhood dresses with smocking and lace and a few of my play rompers & whatnot and I really appreciate her doing that. But other than that, no I probably wouldn't buy crazily priced designer everyday wear for a baby or child. Not buying designer wear doesn't mean you can't still buy pretty clothes for them. It's just not practical even if I was oozing money.
(can't believe I used the word practical, it's my least favourite word )

 

[DosViolines]

Excuse me, but I find that reasoning very weird. Judging stuff by how much they cost instead of how they look and feel is just wrong on so many levels for me.

You are totally right . But where I'm from most people buy brands because they're brands (hey, it's a third world country), so I based my opinion on them.

 

[nr9dream]

If it is in any way wrong to chose to spend money on quality clothing for your child (because he will outgrow etc) then the entire concept of fashion with its fleeting trends must be completely objectionable, right?

Again, as I tried to point out in my message on the other thread, quality brand name clothes need not be outrageously expensive if you are a savvy shopper & I am not referring to extreme spending ($700 sweaters, $1000 crib sets etc. I really think it is only common sense to see that there are wiser ways to spend your money no matter how large the means)

What really bothers me is the mentality to buy luxury goods f/yourself but it is ok to dress your children in cheap junk Of course we are just talking about frivolous topic of clothes here - but on many levels imho this is a problem.

 

[Hanne]

I don't have a problem with parents dressing their children in designer outfits as long as they allow their children to do what children do best - mess up the clothes, get dirty and possibly ruin the cashmere sweater with crayon/food-fingers.
If the clothes is bought to make their child into a showpiece then I object.

And I agree w. Tinuviel

hmm Perhaps a couple of nice pieces for the kid, you know for special occasions and to save for when they grow up so either the mom or the kid can still have a keepsake of their childhood. Doesn't necessarily have to always be a "designer" piece, but maybe a really nice christening gown or a sweet well made frock of good quality material. My mom saved some of my prettier childhood dresses with smocking and lace and a few of my play rompers & whatnot and I really appreciate her doing that. But other than that, no I probably wouldn't buy crazily priced designer everyday wear for a baby or child. Not buying designer wear doesn't mean you can't still buy pretty clothes for them. It's just not practical even if I was oozing money.
(can't believe I used the word practical, it's my least favourite word )

Have to disagree with you nr9dream

What really bothers me is the mentality to buy luxury goods f/yourself but it is ok to dress your children in cheap junk Of course we are just talking about frivolous topic of clothes here - but on many levels imho this is a problem.

..depending on your definition of cheap junk ..Storm is growing so fast that H&M quality will suffice.. At her age I'm not building her a wardrobe, so I see no need for her to have a designer wardrobe through and through, she'll soon enough want to meddle with my wardrobe choices for her..And if I have to spoil her with special items better it be at a time where she'll appreciate it.

 

[softgrey]

i know someone who has two boys...
both babies still....
and i think that on some level she would have liked a girl to dress up...
*believe...these are some very well-dressed boys!!...


**recently she had a revelation apparently and joked that since it's most likely that they won't really be that into fashion later on...
she'll actually be able to spend more money on her own clothes...
...i thought that was pretty funny...
she has a good sense of humour about things...

 

[Ella]

Children wearing designer clothes? As if the kid would even care what brand his/her sweater was.

Anyway, thinking back to when I was a little, I would choose a sparkly, embroidered to death, wacky top from, say, Target, over a plain, neat sweater from Ralph Lauren anyday!

Exactly! Children don't care what labels they wear so it's a little bit useless to spend a fortune on their clothes. Also, as Hanne pointed out they would quickly mess up the clothes anyway. It just really isn't necessary IMO.

 

[finalfashion]

So how would you feel when little Johnny/Madison goes and does the things that kids do - jump in puddles - spill food all over themselves - throw dirt at eachother - making art all over everything - in your precious designer presents? Will you try and stop them? How does it feel to be a kid in clothes you're supposed to take care of? It sucks!

I was brought up in salvation army clothes, climbing trees and getting dirty and being generally oblivious of my clothing. As I grew older I became obsessed with the fact that my clothes were wrong... for my soul. I think not being able to have the clothes I wanted had a lot to do with me learning how to make my own clothes and developing my skills and creativity.

 

[orlem]

Of course kids can wear designer clothes -- if they can't, isn't that admitting that clothes and fashion are shallow?

We claim that we get something deep out of our interest in fashion, right? Like, Comme des Garcons is cool because it's about function and culture and politics and such... a kid can appreciate that.

It's sort of like arguing whether or not you should pay for your kid to have piano lessons, or take your kid to a museum. It's good to expose kids to your idea of the finer things in life.

 

[orlem]

So how would you feel when little Johnny/Madison goes and does the things that kids do - jump in puddles - spill food all over themselves - throw dirt at eachother - making art all over everything - in your precious designer presents? Will you try and stop them? How does it feel to be a kid in clothes you're supposed to take care of? It sucks!

I was brought up in salvation army clothes, climbing trees and getting dirty and being generally oblivious of my clothing. As I grew older I became obsessed with the fact that my clothes were wrong... for my soul. I think not being able to have the clothes I wanted had a lot to do with me learning how to make my own clothes and developing my skills and creativity.

I am waiting for designers and fiber science people to get together and make clothes that can withstand puddles, food stains, dirt, art projects, climbing trees, and everything else. I want all clothes to be like that, there are some already.

 

[nr9dream]

So how would you feel when little Johnny/Madison goes and does the things that kids do - jump in puddles - spill food all over themselves - throw dirt at eachother - making art all over everything - in your precious designer presents? Will you try and stop them? How does it feel to be a kid in clothes you're supposed to take care of? It sucks!

IMO there is the misconception. Clothes/toys do not get trashed with normal play if they are not poorly made in the first place. (play does not equal destroy in my book ) Sure, it’s a hassle to take care of your things as a child, so it’s ok to not teach him?! Just replace it w/more stuff that can readily be trashed. There you have it

 

[faust]

If it is in any way wrong to chose to spend money on quality clothing for your child (because he will outgrow etc) then the entire concept of fashion with its fleeting trends must be completely objectionable, right?

Again, as I tried to point out in my message on the other thread, quality brand name clothes need not be outrageously expensive if you are a savvy shopper & I am not referring to extreme spending ($700 sweaters, $1000 crib sets etc. I really think it is only common sense to see that there are wiser ways to spend your money no matter how large the means)

What really bothers me is the mentality to buy luxury goods f/yourself but it is ok to dress your children in cheap junk Of course we are just talking about frivolous topic of clothes here - but on many levels imho this is a problem.

Completely agree. As I pointed out in my post above, my wife buys quality clothes CHEAPER than anything you can find in the Gap and such. It's exactly what you said, a matter of mentality. Most people who buy expensive clothes for their children are driven by the shallow materialisic impulses, and most people who buy cheap crap are driven by the lack of aesthetics and appreciation of quality. And it definitely extends to all aspects of life.

 

[softgrey]

i'm still of the philosophy that one can get quality AND value...


**i think it get's harder once the kids get into high school and start to actually recognize brands and labels and are subject to peer pressure...
that's a little trickier...

 

[Pastry]

**i think it get's harder once the kids get into high school and start to actually recognize brands and labels and are subject to peer pressure...
that's a little trickier...

Which is exactly my point. There is a difference between bying designer clothing for babies and doing the same for yourself (adult).

Bying expensive for babies may not spoil the little children, but it will spoil the adults. They will continue to think 'not good enough' for the rest of their lives.

 

[*AndoraStar*]

Oh dear Softie.. you don't have to wait until children get into highschool to recognize brands. My daughter is 8 and she knows it all!!
OK well maybe that my fault...

 

[Ceptuouse]

Oh dear Softie.. you don't have to wait until children get into highschool to recognize brands. My daughter is 8 and she knows it all!!
OK well maybe that my fault...

your daughter seems like the perfect child i think every child needs to know a little about fashion

 

[softgrey]

oh my gosh andora?!?......
THAT young>?...
well..i guess i was aware by 4th or 5th grade...is that about 8 yrs old?
maybe ...OY!!.....that's an expensive little habit little leila is developing!!!
make sure you also teach her about SALES and DISCOUNTS...


**i guess it's harder if your kids are smarter too...
they start younger with EVERYTHING...

 

[Lena]

I don't have a problem with parents dressing their children in designer outfits as long as they allow their children to do what children do best - mess up the clothes, get dirty and possibly ruin the cashmere sweater with crayon/food-fingers.
If the clothes is bought to make their child into a showpiece then I object.

ditto...

i'd also say -again- that for a family which is buying designer bedsheets, designer childrenswear is not even an issue..
pity -once again- the middle class that slaves for designer anything, be it adultwear or bags or kidswear , makes not much difference to me...

 

[classic1908]

I fall into the "no" camp unless I can get the gear cheap, say at a Nordstrom Rack or an Off Fifth. I don't have kids, but they outgrow stuff and I don't see it as the best use of resources.