Real life MMD: Should I buy my sons' clothes from Burberry?

naimone

No to "designer" labels every time. Explain to your sons and daughters that they are simply 'following the herd' with these items. They are often less well made or, at best, of similar quality to much cheaper brands. Plus it will encourage them to use their imagination and identify themselves as individuals.

My teenage daughter was very pleased with herself yesterday in a simple tee shirt, leggings and light jacket combination. Three different shops, no labels, colour co-ordinated and she tells me she may have a new boyfriend now! (fatherly groans....:mad:)

bigsur

I am not a parent but I do understand that children feel a need to be 'one of the crowd'. With regard to Burberry: if your children still have a longing for this brand you could find out if their factory shop - it used to be in Hackney - is still in existence and if it is you may find some bargains there.

mum67

I have the same thing with my teenage son. Like you I don't want to be unreasonable so I've come up with a few options that we follow. Firstly I look at Mandmdirect.com which have a lot of the current popular brands at reduced prices (the same cost as ordinary clothes). I also look on Ebay, either buying second hand or looking at the discount stores - Superdry have a store on there for example selling very good seconds. But if it has to come from a store at full price I offer to pay the price I would for unbranded clothes and he has to make up the difference. You soon find out how much they really want it!

19lottie82

Quite simply no. I’m not saying send him out in Supermarket own brand clothes but buying him loads of designer clothes is a waste of money (especially if they are still growing) and spoiling him. If you think that he is responsible then give him a reasonable clothing budget to cover what he needs, leaving it up to him to decide how he spends it, OR buy him the basics and leave the designer items for birthday or Christmas presents. If your son really wants expensive clothes fair enough, but he should realise their worth, and you shouldn’t have to fork out for them on a regular basis.

Finally, I doubt the majority of kids are wearing only designer labels, your son is most likely exaggerating on this one to try and guilt trip you into splashing the cash!

bennett2kuk

Good grief, grow a set already. When I was at school I wanted certain branded things, the odd set of Nike or Adidas trainers but I certainly wasn't kitted out in head to toe designer clothes.
Now in later life I again buy the odd branded trainers but generally from a discount store.
Spoiling your kids on chavvy crap just so they don't feel left out isn't parenting. Burberry as well! Do you want them to start stealing cars or something?!

LACEY174

Ladywhisper wrote: »

I went to 6 different schools (moved house a lot!) and i don't recall anyone ever being that fuss about brands. You can get 'the look' for a fraction of the price in other stores, I think far fewer people really care than what is made out. But like others have said, if he insists get bits off ebay or outlets.. Or get him to use his own money and give branded ones for christmas and birthday.

The above quote seems very dated, i was bullied constantly at school for having the wrong trainers for PE, i mean we had to wear school uniform when i was at school and outside of it i had no issue wearing what i wanted, however it was very prominant that there was a group of kids who would use anything BUT ESPECIALLY your clothes to use as a way to bully people. If however he is at 6th form/college then at that age no one seemed to care what you wore, its more grown up and adult, plus you change social groups at that age.

That said, i agree you can get the look with cheaper non branded clothes. Weaker/fake brands seemed to picked on even more abuse than non brands so i agree he shouldnt have the stuff bought for him (especially burberry (or should i say fake burberry) i mean thats so stereotypically chav i dont think anyone wants to be associated with it). It should be a treat but if like me when i got good clothes, i'd wear it like everyday clothes and it would get ruined pretty quick. The plus side was i learnt the cost of it pretty quick.

laurahughes

I agree with posters saying they should save money to spend on the designer gear they want.

How about a compromise - They get a part-time job to earn money to spend on things they WANT, not necessarily NEED. You continue to help them buy clothes but only at prices you can afford, if they want anything more they have to purchase it themselves.

So say, if they want a jacket which is £100 from Burberry, and you find a similar one in the high street such as Burton for £55. You pay the £55 towards the jacket but the boys have to cough up the extra £45 for the designer label. They can either choose the "freebie" non-designer label from you, or pay the extra themselves to get the designer label.

JoannaS_3

The short answer for me is no you shouldn't.

I was never a 'cool' kid at school and always seemed to get the newest 'thing' 6 months after everyone else....we never wanted for anything but mum and dad couldn't afford to keep up with fickle young people's ever changing crazes and I don't think they should have had to the same as you shouldn't have to.

When your kids leave school they will realise how unimportant all that stuff is and realise that life is not about the clothes you wear but the person wearing them.

If they want Burberry then I'm afraid they will have to save up and pay for it themselves.....if you don't wear it why should you pay for them to?!!

I guarantee when they are earning their own money, Burberry won't be a priority as they will realise their money will go to much better use if spent on something they actually need rather then want.

Good luck but don't give into peer pressure!!

dirtmother

My children go to a non-uniform secondary school and there doesn't seem to be any of this (and for totally different reasons I am there a lot so I see, and hear, them all coming out - I actually think they tend to be more appropriately dressed to study than polyester blazer wearers). It may be due to the location - no High Street or city centre accessible enough to be trailing round every weekend. One of mine even wears jumpers his Granny has knitted for him!

I feel it is a game you can't win, so best not played. Yes, if you can afford to get them something for birthday or Christmas, do (not too far in advance as things may change!) but don't get sucked into anything that doesn't feel comfortable. Do as much as you can to bolster their own (deserved) sense of self-worth and facilitate opportunities to mix with more congenial peers. You could even play the 'ethical' card.

I can remember getting loads of flak for mentioning that my Mum had bought my school skirt in a jumble sale (remember them?). I was really proud of her and walked right into the trap... I was pretty secure but it was an unpleasant time so a more vulnerable child, and in today's climate, might really have a hard time. So, don't go along with it but be gentle with them!

Any

I don't see this as Money Moral dilemma - you don't have the money, but would be willing to spend on Burberry for teenagers??? Where is the common sense?

This is not money moral dilemma, but snobbishness of the highest degree. Sorry, but that is my feeling.

By all counts get them few pieces for special occassions (get them at outlet stores), but if they are expecting the full wardrobe maybe it's time to let them get jobs and try the real life for themselves.