Are New Clothes Necessary

I can't afford to get mine all brand new clothes. The boys wear a lot of hand me downs from the older boys, I'll also buy them second hand clothes from thrift shops through out the year whenever we need something or see something we like. I try to get them some "new" clothes for school.. but it depends on the finances. Last year we went a bit crazy, I bought them stuff from Old Navy and Marshall's as well as K-Mart. That adds up with 5 kids. This year I'm panicking because we haven't started school shopping and I don't see where we'll have the finances to before school starts... so this year it's looking like mostly Thrift Store clothes, but my kids are okay with that. So far all I have is my 4 yr old has a backpack that I bought last year when I thought he was going to preschool, he didn't so the backpack hasn't been used, and this year he's definitely in preschool so he can use that. Then today I bought my daughter a Jonas Brothers backpack at Walmart on clearance for $3.. can't beat that!

seriously, that nuts. my kid's clothes from last year are perfectly fine and so no, we dont buy them new clothes. we get them new stuff any time throughout the year when they need them.

i think you are a very wise, thrifty, and caring mother. i did the same. i bought maybe 2 or 3 outfits as we were poor and never had money to buy like a different outfit for each five days. i think it depends n your income and if they are going to have food to eat. good mom.

I think you have the absolute right idea. I also think you and your kids are lucky with the whole uniform thing! That must make life so much easier. When we were kids we would get a few things for school, usually a pair or two of jeans, a pair of shoes and a few shirts. My mother was very thrifty, though, so most everything was bought in clearance sales. If I were you I may buy a pair or two of nice pants if I found them on sale and maybe a cute polo and a school shirt. I would probably hit some thrift stores too. Other than that I see no problem with using last years clothes if they fit and aren't worn out, why the heck not?

Hi dorannmwin, I work at an elementary school that has a uniform dress code. Administration there is pretty strict on enforce this code. Parents, once upon time was able to write an excused letter, but not anymore. Everyone in uniform except on announced "free dress" day. If your daughter school doesn't have such a policy, then new school clothes are necessary, at least for the first week. Your daughter will feel beautiful and can share with her friends her new look. How is she going to feel when all the other friends are in new clothes and she has on her last years school clothes, even if they still look great. She is second grade, so this would probably be important to her. Many schools adopted the school uniform policy because they didn't want any student to feel that he or she was any different because their clothes were different. Everybody wears the same color of clothing and major problems of jealousy and thievery was pretty much eliminated. A new wardrobe gets my vote.

PERHAPS GIVING YOUR CHILDREN A NEW SCHOOL UNIFORM IS ONE OF THE MOTIVATION FOR THEM TO KEEP ON STUDYING.SOMEHOW THIS WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO STUDY MORE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT EVERY TIME YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A NEW ONE.but TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT WE ALSO SAVING MONEY ONCE IN A WHILE WE CAN DO IT OR IF POSSIBLE MADE SOME REMEDY FOR THE OLD SCHOOL UNIFORM

Hi Dorannmwin, As a single mom, I have to tell you that I never bought into that.."kids need a whole new wardrobe every year" stuff. They don't. I know it is tradition for many families but it is one of those traditions that just really doesn't make sense. I always did buy my girls one new outfit for the first day of school. That was our little tradition. Just one outfit because the first day of school was always a big day no matter what grade they were going into. After that I bought clothes as needed just like I did when they were toddlers. I did that "school shopping routine" once or twice with my oldest daughter who is now ...just turned yesterday 33. What happened was she saw other things she liked and the seasons changed pretty quick and I basically wasted a lot of money only to spend more. Most of her clothes from the previous year still fit...especially tops. If they had uniforms that still fit them just fine from the previous year then I would save my money and buy them as they needed them. same with school supplies. I always kept a drawer filled with pens, markers, colored pencils, erasers and white-out, glue, gluesticks. I kept another drawer filled with lined paper, computer paper and colored paper and poster board. I picked up these items on sale all year long. The only "school shopping I do is one special day where I take my daughter out and buy her an outfit and that is it.

If her clothing still fits, I see no need to go out and buy new stuff. If she's outgrown it, that's different.

My new mantra is this: what people say or thing about me is really none of my business. Let them say what they want as they are not living my life or paying my mortgage or walking in my shoes for a week. Having said that, it is not necessary for you to buy new uniforms if her clothes still fit. Kids like something new so how about new socks or lunch box? Or hair ribbons. Let your friend do what she wants and she should respect your opinion and not criticize you. Blessings

When I was going to school, we didn't have much money. Before the start of the school year, we would go through my clothes and see what ones fit and what ones didn't. We would also check to see whether or not they were too worn or stained to wear to school. Then, I would get whatever I needed to replace the clothes that were too small or too worn to wear to school. It worked out well, because I never had a completely new wardrobe, but I had enough new clothes so that I could "show off" my new things. When my oldest daughter was going to school, we did the same thing with her, even though we could have afforded to get her more - she didn't need more, so we only got what she needed. I think that it should be the same with your daughter, especially since they have uniforms at her school. It is not like her new clothes are going to be that much different from her current clothes, so if she doesn't need them, then why buy them?

My daughter will be starting kindergarten next month, and she will be wearing whatever still fits her from the closet! I don't think a whole new wardrobe is necessary - might as well make use of the clothing that is still perfectly good. She is outgrowing many of her pants, so I have been buying up a bunch of bottoms for her. I'll probably get some more tops and light jacket. Oh - and I did get a bunch of new socks and will work on getting shoes - they've gotten so grungy over the summer. Now, I don't get all "new" clothing . . . we do have second hand kids clothing shops out here (I just got a 50% off everything coupon via email from one of them). Plus we have friends who give us their daughters' old clothing and I am sometimes able to get them via Freecycle. As they say, school is not a fashion show - but I do let her feel "cute" but comfy. Uniforms would be so much easier (I would think!).

My son also goes to a school with uniforms. And like you, he was able to wear some of his monogrammed golf shirts through a couple of grades. So, it isn't really a matter of getting him new uniforms every start of the year. Plus, some of his shirts are really worn out from playing too much. So, I would also get him new ones within a school year as necessary.

Hi doran I am not aware of the things in your place, but here in addition to new school uniforms, my grand daughter demand new dress each year when the school season begings, the school uniforms we are almost forced to buy from school at higher than market price.. Thanks for sharing. Welcome always. Cheers. Professor

If the clothes she used last year are still in good condition, getting new clothes for this school year is totally unnecessary. Being responsible in spending makes you a good example to your daughter. If a child would be accustomed to having new clothes and stuff each year, there is a risk that she will always demand for new things and will complain if in case you don't have enough money. On the other hand, if you instill good values to your child, she will learn to appreciate the things she has an I am not yet married and I don't have any child yet.

I don't think it necessary to have new clothes each year. I sure didn't when I was going to school. Besides not everyone can afford it and if they still fit, why waiste. If it bothers the kid let them remake them and explore their creativity. They are losing respect for their things because everything is replacable. How old is your daughter? At a certain age they should start to become aware of the value of a dollar and not everyone needs to keep up with the Jones. ( in case anyone doesn't know what that means; it means just because one person gets something, not everybody needs to too).

If the previous year's clothing still fits, no it is not necessary to buy new ones - especially if they are uniforms. During our current recession (which is dipping again), I don't buy anything that doesn't have NECESSARY OR YOU WILL DIE written on it. We're just getting out from under debt, and I have no intention of wading back into the fray. I also have never bought expensive jeans with someone else's name on the tush, or tennis shoes with funny check mark looking logos. That is not only a waste of money, but a foolish, foolish, foolish waste of money. If you want a name on your backside, embroider your own on the pocket!

Hi there! I'm not a mom myself, but it hasn't been that long since I was a school girl! I really don't think new clothes are necessary, unless the old ones were outgrown or worn out. It's such a waste! I mean what happens to the old clothes? They get thrown away? Why should you spend money in new things when the old ones are perfectly wearable? I am now twenty years old, thankfully I have no money owes, since my parents provide for me, but I still have clothes from when I was 15, they fit me and are still in good shape, so why not? I even wear some hand-me-downs from my grandma (clothes she wore when she was younger). Of course that I buy something I don't need every once in a while, but buying a whole new wardrobe is just waste. Besides, that why you are teaching your child that clothes are only useful while they are in fashion, and are nothing more than accessories!

One reason why school uniforms are a requirement now, is because some parents cannot afford the fancy clothes and designer names. Because of that, some children are teased, and worse, will not come to school. Especially in these times. However, I can remember the excitement of getting new clothes for school. It is a new school year, children like new things. As a parent, I would purchase a few new things to add to a perfectly good wardrobe. Most children grow during the Summer. Even uniform schools allow the student a few dress days during the school year. I will say this in summary, I would not judge anyone for making their own decision to buy or not to buy. :)

For me i think not only for me new clothes are necessary. With the change of time and improve of living standard. The way we dress up change with the change of time. Fashions comes and goes, so we like to dress up with change in fashion. You feel bore when you dress up the same every time and also you get bored to wear the same clothes now and then.

yep its necessary to replace the old ones at home.i buy new clothes once a month to save money and i throw out the old ones.old clothes tend to get worn out and the fabric gets loosen.i might look like an old man if i dont wear new ones.hehe