Having a girl and can't stand the clothes! - Page 2

[eewieew]

Not technically in your DDC (Due in very late Feb w/1st, so I'm hanging out in March) but wanted to chime in as I've got this very problem. I'm the least frilly girl in the world, hate pink, and of course fates would have me expecting a little girl.

I've been scouring thrift stores and found really cute stripey things in adorable yellows and greens, and have put the word out to both grandmas to let all well wishers know that I definitely don't want anything "gender-specific".

The other thing I'm doing which is super fun, if you have the time or kids that would be entertained by this, is dyeing, embellishing, tie-dyeing my own stuff. Just grabbing white stuff at the thrift store and making stamps out of miscellaneous stuff, like leaves and bamboo and whatever I can find, using different colors of fabric paint. You could even grab some cheap-y silk flowers and do cool flower stamps or really whatever you want...but it's a nice alternative to all of the pre-fab crap that's out there, and pretty cheap.

My friends love this idea so much that at my co-ed mother blessing, instead of giving out favors, each person is bringing an item of baby clothing of any size and something for themselves and we're having a little t-shirt decorating party.

[Nillarilla]

I really like that t-shirt dyeing idea. I think I will have to steal it.

[k13]

That is a great idea!

I thought that not knowing the sex was helpful and did manage to scrounge up some gender-neutral stuff. Unfortunately as soon as my second daughter was born, literally an hour afterwards - my mother went straight to the store and came back with huge bags of pink stuff. :

The whole gender thing is annoying as heck. Since we have two girls already all these family members are constantly saying things like "let's hope you get a boy for your husband's sake" and other ridiculousness. I really hope if it's another girl no one says anything like "oh, that's too bad" or I'm going to have to restrain myself!

[mommabear207]

I just think baby clothes should be functional and above all comfy! I've told the relatives our guidelines for future clothes so hopefully we'll see improvement. I also went through what clothes they did already get and picked out the worst ones to trade at the consignment shop.Although where I live is really rural so there aren't really any stores near us (as in less than an hour away) and everything else at the consignment store is just as bad so I'll probably have to order online. Thanks for those brands to check into! Of the stuff I did keep a few things I actually liked. Then there was some that was ok but I'm looking into finding some cute patches and maybe dyeing a few things. And then there was a few things I kept thinking just maybe I'll put them on her and think well she does look cute... I also have no problem re using ds's clothes- at least till she gets older then if she wants to dress like a princess so be it. I'm just not for dressing a baby like a doll or a model (boy or girl). It makes me glad I don't have TV to put ideas about fashions and things in their heads. It does make me consider homeschooling even more though. I remember seeing other kids have the latest toy and wear certain styles and wanting it too cause everybody else has it. I think a lot of the styles little girls, in particular, wear is inappropriate- as in maybe when you're a teenager or twenty. makes me glad i'm just worrying over frills now lol

[Citykid]

Like other PPs, this is one of our main reasons for not finding out the sex. Looking at Halloween costumes recently got me upset - I saw one called "Honeybee Hottie" which was in toddler sizes and was really suggestive. It was disgusting. I mean seriously, are we against child molestation or not?

But cutesie stuff is not entirely confined to girls. We received a couple of sailor suits when DS was born that were totally barfworthy.

I am not looking forward to dealing with this if I have a girl. But still I feel so bad for DS when we go into a clothing store. He is always drawn to the side of the store with bright colors and fun prints (who wouldn't be?), and then I have to point him toward the boys' side, which is 100% drab and boring, all grey, brown and navy. It breaks my heart a little bit. And the prints for infant boys - it's all about jobs (construction, transportation) or sports. Why the heck can't they have birds? Animals? Bugs? Even the toddler stuff at Gymboree right now is all either cowboy or pirate and it's all brown and olive green. Blech.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by Citykid

But cutesie stuff is not entirely confined to girls. We received a couple of sailor suits when DS was born that were totally barfworthy.

Ha ha.

I'm feeling the same way girls. I never wore frilly pink anything, but people will give it to you, like it or not. So everything I buy will be bright colored (all colors) and gender neutral; I'll leave the gender-izing to my parents.

I heard somewhere that American Apparel sells baby clothes online, and if that's the case that might be a place to look...I'll let you all know if I find anything!

[mommabear207]

Originally Posted by Citykid

Like other PPs, this is one of our main reasons for not finding out the sex. Looking at Halloween costumes recently got me upset - I saw one called "Honeybee Hottie" which was in toddler sizes and was really suggestive. It was disgusting. I mean seriously, are we against child molestation or not?

But cutesie stuff is not entirely confined to girls. We received a couple of sailor suits when DS was born that were totally barfworthy.

I am not looking forward to dealing with this if I have a girl. But still I feel so bad for DS when we go into a clothing store. He is always drawn to the side of the store with bright colors and fun prints (who wouldn't be?), and then I have to point him toward the boys' side, which is 100% drab and boring, all grey, brown and navy. It breaks my heart a little bit. And the prints for infant boys - it's all about jobs (construction, transportation) or sports. Why the heck can't they have birds? Animals? Bugs? Even the toddler stuff at Gymboree right now is all either cowboy or pirate and it's all brown and olive green. Blech.

I agree with both points! While I have more problems with girls baby clothes I shudder to think about the suggestive styles out there. And the boys do have some equally shudder worthy clothes out there. I'm annoyed with all the clothes that say Champ or have footballs etc on them. why do we have to start these assumptions and stereotypes about boys and girls from the very start?! I would love to see more clothes for both boys and girls with animals, bugs,acorns etc. (and i don't mean cats for the girls and spiders for the boys).Obviously we don't buy these things if we can help it but what do you do when its given to you? Do you get rid of the most offensive things but have dc wear somethings, get rid of everything but what you do like? I feel grateful that i don't have spend lots of money on clothes as my mom loves to shop for them. overall she's pretty good but as we all know there isn't alot of good stuff out there....

[ewolthuis]

I have been meaning to go back up into the attic and look through my baby (boy) clothes to see what is gender neutral enough for little girl baby to wear. But, you all have also reminded me of a project that has been stewing in my mind lately. I have been considering getting some red/pink dye and dyeing a bunch of my son's infant clothes. Nothing should turn out pink, but rather I am expecting a lot of lavendars, purples, cool neutral browns, etc. You know, because most of his baby clothes are blue, green, yellow, etc. I was thinking that this might yeild some interesting girlish colors that aren't run of the mill. I love purple. So, if anyone has dyeing experience, let me know what you think. I bet lots of his clothes are cotton, which should dye well, and it would all just be going into one dye vat, so pretty easy there. Hmmmm.
Sounds like just the crafty project I need! But, I am worried about red dye being bad for baby...or leaking into other clothing forever.

[MNSunshine]

Gotta say I am equally annoyed by the boys clothes out there. So tired of all the SPORTS themes... or VEHICLES... and in general I just detest all the cutesy animal appliques.

[Fyrestorm]

Not in this DDC...but you all should check out Kid Surplus They have great funky clothes for boys and girls...Yes, they do have frilly stuff and boy sporty stuff, but they also have great stuff from Zutano and Young Colors and such. I think that being surplus, they end up with all the cool stuff that isn't frilly...just perfect for people like us!

I refused to put DD in anythink pink...It was so hard to find stuff sometimes..poor child wore blue for the first 3 months pf her life until I found KS

PS...their prices are awesome!