The Clothes that Don't get Handed Down

As we begin the process of packing up the boxes in the attic, one category gets more than its fair share of the space: baby clothes.

It was a no-brainer for me to save all of Sydney's clothes. I didn't know if we'd have another girl, or even if we would have another baby, but I just figured we better hold on to those clothes. Every three months, after each season, I stored her clothes in big plastic containers. Every three months I'd go through the big bin of clothes that contained oversized clothes--both new and handed down from cousins--and see what fit her.

When Jules came along, I had a ready-made wardrobe, albeit one that didn't always work with the appropriate season. Having May-December babies means that sometimes the clothes in the bins aren't a perfect match, but it's definitely better than having to buy all new clothes every season. Even now, though I can't imagine having any more babies (but figure it'll happen eventually), I pack Jules' clothes away in the bins, ready to be useful if baby #3 ever arrives on the scene.

The bins are full of dresses, shorts, coats, and jeans. Tiny swimsuits, little swaddling blankets, onesies, and jammies make the bins complete. What I don't pack in the bins are socks and underwear. The socks are always threadbare and ready to be thrown out, not to mention that few of them have their matches anyway. As for underwear? Well, it just seems like a person ought to have their own brand new underwear in life. There are so few things a kid can really call her own; underwear should be one of them.

It was no surprise then that Sydney was tickled pink to receive some new underwear to review for Parent Bloggers Network. She's had the same ones since she was first potty trained, over a year ago, so they had certainly lost their comfort. The new ones, from Hanes, have all the qualities that Syd looks for in a pair of underwear. And believe you me, she's more than just a little bit picky about what clothes she wears (shall I remind you of the twirly dress love?).

I asked Syd what she liked about her new underwear, and she was more than happy to tell me why.

• They have frogs on them. [cute colors and designs]
• They are soft. [100% cotton]
• They stay on my buns. [elastic band that stays put, plus Hanes' Comfort Fit Promise which guarantees the underwear won't wedge]
• They aren't itchy. [tagless design]
• They are new. [thanks PBN and Hanes!]
• They say (giggle giggle) "Funny Frog" on them. [hoo haw, hee hee, frogs are hilarious]

We also got to try out Hanes ankle socks, which looked so comfortable that I ended up buying some for Jules as well. The only downside is that they don't have the grippers on the bottom, which has resulted in a bit of a war between the girls and our hardwood floors. Ah, well, a socked life can't be perfect. Beyond slipping and sliding around the house, the socks are a big hit. Especially for me, because I think these socks are going to last through the seasons and I won't have to go out and buy more due to the elastic failing.

So we love the new socks, and we love the new underwear. Not enough to pack them up into the bins for Jules to wear whenever she gets potty trained, but only because I firmly believe she'll need her very own uns to have and to hold and to prance about the house in.

If only these new underwear would inspire Jules to stop wearing diapers and potty train herself. Now those would be some pretty amazing underwear.

I'm curious, though. Anybody else have baby clothes taking up attic space, waiting to be handed down to the next baby? How did you feel when you stopped saving clothes? I keep thinking I'll be so relieved when I don't have them anymore, but then again, maybe I'll just weep my little eyes out.

This review brought to you by Parent Bloggers Network.

Comments

[Rachel]

I must be an oddity in the realm of parents. Seeing as our second child will be of the same gender as our first, everyone is assuming that we naturally don't need much. In our church circle, this means a book shower is held instead of a baby shower. But I remind people that, however unbelievable it may seem, I did not save clothing from my firstborn with the intention of passing it on to my second. Why? Moving eight times in the last six years will do that to you, especially when the Air Force makes limits on how much weight in household goods they will compensate you in moving. So I have kept a few items, including the outfit we brought our baby home in and one or two special pieces. Now, when generous friends ask what pricey items they may help us purchase I just tell them a pack of onesies or a nice blanket would be perfect.

[Alida]

After Isabela was born, we were done. I do have two big under-the-bed boxes I bought at IKEA, to store things I won't be getting rid of. There is one for Isabela, one for Luke. Among the things that get stored:

a hand knitted blanket (one blue, one pick)
the outfit they came home from the hospital in.
baptism outfits
first Christmas outfits
first halloween costumes

all their birthday cards. (Now that Luke can read, he loves to look through them.)

Other than that, it all goes, every season.

[Jen]

My attic is FULL of boxes of baby girl clothes. My daughters have even all been born roughly in the same season so I have been able to use things over and over again. The cycling of things in and out of boxes is a pain, though. I sometimes feel like all I ever do is put away too-small clothes and pull out the rest of the bigger clothes. And since the only place I have to store them is in the attic and I don't feel like always climbing up and down to get the right boxes for the right-size clothes, this means I end up with piles of "clothes to be stored" or "clothes to be washed so they can be stored" etc. all over the master bedroom. I'm assuming it's saving me money in the long run, though, right?

[Margaret]

My clothes are long gone and I don't even know where. It was symbolic of being finished having babies. (I think I did cry a bit!)

[Pauline]

My mom still has our baby clothes from 3 girls...last baby was 24 years ago...so...

[berryberr]

Just stumbled upon your wonderful blog! Will be checking back often from now on!!

[Inkling]

We have a constant interchange of clothes between all of our little boy cousins. I found that after saving number one's baby clothes for seven years, when I pulled them out, there was almost nothing usable, for various reasons. Sp I haven't saved like I once did, but on the other hand, I tend to leave the clothes I like the most hanging in the closet even when they are far outgrown, because, sniffle, I don't get any more babies, and I am sentimental that way.

[Megan]

Haha, who knew such joy could come from a new pack of underwear?

I completely agree that underwear should never be handed down, not even amongst family. I grimace when I see underwear in thrift stores. I would like to meet the people who actually buy used underwear. I think that would be the start of an interesting conversation...

And it really is a brilliant idea to save all of your first child's clothes. I will definitely be doing the same!

[violetismycolor]

I would love having some froggy underpants myself. Why are adult undies so boring?