Do You Use Your Kid's Seasonal Fancy Clothes in a Normal Day?

My daughter has a couple of fancy dresses that my mom bought for her, and a couple of fancy dresses from two different weddings where she got to be a flower girl. All of them she wore once outside the house, and the rest of the time I let her play dress-up with them. One dress I wanted to keep for sentimental value so I packed it away, and the rest I let her play dress-up with because I thought "she might as well get some use from them!" :-) You could also try reselling them somewhere, like online or something, if the price is the issue. But it might also be nice to keep a few just for memory sake.

Once it's been worn for the "special" thing, they can wear the clothes whenever they want. Otherwise it becomes a "wear it once" item, and that feels so wasteful. The worst thing that happens is that it gets dirty. That can almost always be washed out, and, if not, then the outfit can't get worn again, which was what would happen otherwise anyway.

My son spent today in his pirate Halloween costume. Silly, but at least he's getting some use out of it!

I only bought a nice christmas dress for my daughter once, I think. My family just does not get dressed up, even for holidays. If your daughter likes to play dress-up, I would let her wear it. Otherwise sell it to a consignment store, or donate it somewhere.

My daughter wore a dress to her older sister's wedding last year that she got second hand from another relative, then we found out that SHE had gotten it from a second hand store! It was in perfect condition - probably had been worn a total of 3 times :-)

One year for Halloween, my daughter picked out a cow costume that was really cute and made with warm material and a comfortable style. A black and white fleece pants and jacket with ears on the hood and a tail. She wore that outfit all the time for a year! Then we gave it to her nephew and now he's wearing it all the time!

I try to have my daughter wear her fancy dresses on several occassions throughout the year. If we are going out to dinner, or visiting family, or going to any event that *could* be dressed up for, I pick out one of her fancy dresses and put her in it.

I LOVE fancy dresses and I just cant help myself! I try not to spend a LOT on dresses though, because I know at this age she may only wear them a handful of times. I also try not to get dresses that are too holiday specific... so for example last year's "Christmas" dress was red with silver sparkly dots and a satin sash. She used that dress for Christmas, valentine's day AND the forth of July (we added a blue sequined star toi the dress and a red white and blue hair-bow)

Her easter dress will be used for the second time this year- we sized it larger last year thinking she would use it to wear to weddings in the summer. It is very pretty off-white with embroidered flowers. We will try to dress her in it several times this spring and I may take family maternity photos, and "new baby" family photos with her in that.

She also has a really nice silver and black dress that she wears A LOT. I love it, and it is very functional. I think it is good to have at least one "formal" dress at any age, in case a formal event comes up (weddings, funerals, holidays, nice parties or banquets, someone graduates etc...) Picking a dress that can be used at many different occasions and still be appropriate is the key to "getting what you pay for". (think "little black dress" - but for toddlers)

And if you want to use it on an "everyday" day, just because.... do... people LOVE little girls in fancy dresses. Maybe you could have a tea party day with her, another mom and her daughter- dressed in your almost too little frilly dresses and meet up and have fun! If there is no occasion- make one!

Good luck!
-M.

after the holiday, I usually let her play dress up in them or wear them to church. seems like such a waste to spend all that money on only wearing it once! She loves to play princess, so I let her use them for her tea parties and stuff.

My daughter wears her fancy clothes to church any time she wants to after she has worn them for the special holiday or occasion. I then pass them to my sister who has her little girl wear them too. Perhaps you can pass it on to someone else. If it is still in great shape you could sell it to a gently used kids store and make a few dollars from it.

I buy my kids "season fancy clothing" on clearance, or used. I have 3 aged 6, 4 and 2 (boy boy girl) and the last time I bought new stuff was right when my daughter was born. I looked back and thought - that was crazy.

Now I think ahead, shop ahead and try to buy stuff that is not too fancy so that I 1) don't worry if it gets spilled on - they are only kids, and 2) not worry if they just wear it the one time.

I'd go ahead and get rid of it. I have never had a child wear the same thing a year later, it will never fit.

J.

You spent the money! Do what you want with the dress!!!! Who says that red and black is purely Christmas?? It could be a good going to church dress. . . or a funeral dress.
I haven't ever let my son use an item once and that be it. I'm a single mom going to school and work, so money is super tight. I can't afford that! Do what you want to do with it! Oo what about those shadow boxes?? Could you do somesort of Christmas themed one so you can see it every year?

I pass mine along. I know though. I hate when people buy me super cute outfits that they CAN'T WEAR!!! lol. I have one outfit my MIL bought that was $60. It isn't a dress, and is very cute to wear any time... but it can only be hand washed. Not something I have time to do very often. So she has worn it twice (which sucks, because it really is super cute.) I am lucky enough though that my niece is almost exactly one year younger than my DD, so I can pass along all her clothes and know they will be seasonally appropriate. :)

Just use it, let her wear it.
Why just use it once?

that's what I say.

By next year, it will be outgrown and she will not be able to wear it anyway.
Just use it while you can.
Even if just going to the grocery store.
Why not?
Its fun.

I used to buy all those fancy clothes for them when they were little. I just sold them or gave them away. Now, I just don't even bother buying those kinds of clothes since they will never wear them again. It just seems like a waste of money when I could buy them something they actually need and will use

If it is not something that you have sentimental attachment to take it to someone where like once upon a child. or donate it to the goodwill. many families are not able to shop at regular stores. or give it to a friend who has kids younger than yours. if she loves it and looks cute in it and you don't mind her making mud pies in it then let her wear it. otherwise let it go. life is to short to stress over hanging on to what does not give you joy.

yes....my DD wears her fancy christmas dress whenever she wants. I spent good money on it, why only wear it once? I get great remarks too!

As my kids have gotten older (now 11 and 9) I have learned to skip the fancy dresses and go for quality layered outfits that we can re-use pieces from. For instance, I know her band and choir require her to perform in black bottoms and white top, so I buy really nice basics (this year is velvet skirt and satin ls blouse) and then for a holiday we can add a cute sweater or vest. She ends up looking really chic, yet festive. She does love her fancy dresses, but I will only buy them on super-clearance and then don't feel so bad when they only get used once or twice. For my son, same thing. He hates to dress up. So I buy cotton chinos for the holiday & make sure they are worn for the occasion first - when they are not ripped, faded, and still clean pressed from the store. Once they get washed he thinks they are just another pair of pants. Again, basic button down flannel shirt - add a 'holiday' (aka 'red') sweater and i have a great looking kid that can and will re-use 2 of the 3 pieces.

Church comes in handy here... :) Then they get to wear it every Sunday. If it won't fit her, then give it away - make it a blessing to someone else you know - a gorgeous dress that, even if worn once by each child, will be enjoyed for literally years to come! When I lived somewhere else, moms would just drop off bags of clothes on each others' doorsteps - our husbands were all college professors, and we were all frugal - why spend money on clothes when someone has extras? It worked out wonderfully for everyone. In this age of reuse, recycle, etc. passing on clothes - and receiving them graciously - is perfectly chic! And my kids love getting a bag of clothes to try on! I only kept what was in good order and fit them - I didnt' save clothes 2 sizes too big - let someone else have them now - and I had veto power over clothes I didn't like.

Put her in it and take some pictures. Even if it was only worn once or twice you can enjoy the pictures forever. Really, I begged to wear my favorite dress up dress to Easter when I was 5 and have been looking at the family photo ever since (35 years). But it still makes me happy because I loved that dress.

I just notice you live very near me. There are several children's thrift stores in the area.

My 4y wears them all the time. She just wore one last night to a play at Church. In Jan. she wore her 'Santa' Christmas dress to a winter Princess party. She was the 'Winter Belle!'. She wore it again on Valentine's Day, because it was red and Valentine's day!! She wore one of them to Disney's Princesses on Ice.

My rule is, for any occassion dress, is that the dress cannot be worn before the special occassion so that it doesn't get messed up before the special occassion, but after that whenever she wants is fine.

Right now she has 3 fancy dresses (from the two past Christmases) hanging in her room that she wears on and off. She also has a Spring Easter dress that I'll get out in a few weeks.

This year's Easter dress isn't a fancy one, but a cute Spring/Summer dress that looks too cute on her! She will definetly be wearing it all Spring and Summer.

M.

Dress up outfits - DEFINITELY!! my 3.5y prances around in a flower girl dress, and the veil at least 4 times a week. and it also stands up to the washer, not like the cheap dress up outfits.

OH MY GOODNESS - it still fits her? PUT IT ON AND TAKE LOADS OF PICTURES! TAKE HER OUT ON THE MALL SHE WILL BE THE TALK OF EVERYONE WHO SEES HER! seriously, he has to be so stinking cute at that age, anything is beautiful - so what if it isn't Christmas! Go for it!
M.