Bought clothes for toddler niece but she never wore them

nancypearl

My sil and partner are financially strapped.
I bought loads of clothes from Boden for my toddler niece. I have never seen her in any of them or any photos of her in them. Sil dresses her in charity shop clothes, primark, hand-me-downs from friends and home-made.
I genuinely believed that some clothes would be welcomed and worn as sil has previously said how much she would like to be able to afford to buy from Boden.
I appreciate that Sil has her own taste and niece is her daughter so she can dress her how she likes. Could I have got it so wrong?
I can't help feeling disapointed that my gesture was rejected.

Please reply honestly. I would rather be told the truth from mother's who have in-laws that buy their kids clothes. I can't ask Sil, obviously.

purple45

My first thought...maybe she sold them?

McKneff

I wouldnt worry, Its not unusual to not see them in clothes you have bought, unless you see them every day.
They have probably worn them at times when you havent seen them.
Maybe they have been put away for 'best' or maybe, if they are that badly off they could have been sold if you say they are Boden.

If youre going to buy clothes fro them, just buy from Primark or Asda.

Did she seem grateful when you gave her them.

nancypearl

purple45 wrote: »

My first thought...maybe she sold them?

I never thought of that. They were current season and had tags.
I hope not.

LMCD

I have been bought kids clothes or given stuff, not all to my taste.. most of it though - yes.

maybe in future give money to allow them to pick their own clothes I dunno? sometimes when we give gifts we can be miffed if we don't see them wearing it/or get use of it but I would try not to get too upset about it or take it personally. . .

Jinx

My sis in law can afford to dress her girls in anything she likes - however being very sensible with money she actually prefers when we buy the girls clothes in a sale or got a discount! She doesnt appreciate expensive clothes for little ones so we now buy in the price range that makes her happy.

I would imagine the clothes have been kept for best and if there are no photos that doesnt mean anything - I didnt take photos of my daughter in every outfit.

lynzpower

That would be my first thought too.

Personally If I could get a 20 note for a skirt, I could get the child a 5er skirt and 15 quid to go on the gas meter.

I can understand why someone would do it, if I was them and pushed for cash I would do it too.

BitterAndTwisted

If they're financially strapped I would think that it's very likely indeed that they've sold them. If things are that bad I could hardly blame them. Of course, if they have sold them it will only cause pain and embarrassment to mention it.

The next time you'd like to give a gift why not discuss it with them in full before buying anything again?

meritaten

If you left the tags on perhaps she took them back and got a cash refund?
Tbh, if she is really strapped for cash, it may have been a choice between letting the child wear expensive clothes or eating and heating! in which case, I would have done it too!

purple45

I'm sure that the idea of them being sold makes you feel bad because you put effort and thought into buying a lovely gift, but take it from someone who is financially strapped...if they were sold, then they would have been very grateful for the money and that in itself is a gift.

MERFE

I was given so many clothes for my DD when she was little it was impossible for her to wear them all before she outgrew them. I got some things changed at the shop for bigger sizes or different better fitting styles and some I sold and bought things they needed instead. I'm sure the gift was greatly received and much appreciated but if she has clothes they could have needed the money for something else - either way your neice will have benefitted.