Hi Grandmas and Grandpas I NEED YOUR HELP!

I don't often buy them clothes - I have 3 aged 9,7 and 3. When I do it is usually because they are into a film such as Star Wars or Frozen or when my grandson asks for 'an orange t-shirt'. These come from Maralan, Primark, BHS or H n M.
I take the 9 year old clothes shopping for her birthday and she likes Next but has to wear age 6-7 trousers as she is so slim

I buy the odd garment or two from Boden.

Their mother buys the cheap-o Asda stuff.

mile24 - we haven't got either of those shops, or any other specialist baby shop anywhere near us nowadays (used to have a Mothercare but it closed down years ago), so not an option.

DiLs give me links to Next or M&S and I buy accordingly. But GD (12) prefers to have the money and buy her own - often from Primark.

I buy all the school uniform, almost all the shoes, slippers, boots, about half the underwear and probably three or four other outfits each season for my DGD, aged 9. Shopping mostly done in John lewis, Ma&S or a specialist school uniform supplier or children's shoe shop. DGD's mum is fairly short of money so it's my way of helping out.

Specialist shops such as Jo Jo Maman and Mamas and Papas are too expensive and have limited choice. I've only bough here as a special present for first babies.

Mothercare is more reasonably priced and has more choice. I did buy quite a bit here when they were younger.

Something I do buy however, I don't think this has been mentioned is specialised clothing such as cub uniform, fencing breeches, football kits, ballet cardigans, etc.. as hobbies do come expensive.

Hope that helps.

I just looked at Boden prices. www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Baby-0-3yrs-Rompers-Play-Sets/71398/Baby-0-3yrs-Supersoft-Stripy-Romper.html
This was £30 for a romper suit. I know there is cheaper stuff but!!!!

Toddlers need to be able to play outdoors without worrying about their clothes.

No I would never consider buying expensive clothing to be grown out of in a few weeks. It's the fact that they rarely get the wear out of them when they are so small. I would far rather spend the money on something more practical for them than designer clothes.

Just who is it trying to please for the under fives?

Hi, Milena. Boden is my favourite for toddlers. Their boys' clothes are stylish, bright and really well made. But I've only ever bought from their sale or clearance section, when you can get up to 70% off. I'd never pay their full prices, even if I could afford to. The first thing I look for is something that my DGS will want to wear, otherwise it'll just languish in a drawer. The most difficult thing for me is that I can only buy very occasionally for them, as they have enough clothes, bought, gifted and swapped between them, to kit out a small village. Also, they're all boys, and there are usually 3 racks of clothes for girls to every one for boys. To DH's embarrassment, I kicked off made a bit of a fuss at M & S recently when they had 5 designs of dressing gown on sale for toddler girls and only one - boring blue and white striped a grandad could have worn - for boys aged 2 to 15.

I've had a few things from Vertbaudet and the clothes are well made, but their delivery times have got so bad, I'm going to stop using them. I ordered a dress and cardigan for a little relative a week ago and the package still hasn't been despatched, despite both items being in stock.