help! dresses from SIL my LO will never wear! EDIT: PIP

bride2be.austin · April 2011

ugh. i just got this huge package in the mail of 7 dresses from my SIL (she's 48yrs old). all random sizes...up to 24 mo!!! 5 of which...are NOT AT ALL my style - and i wouldn't put my daughter in them. (picture very 1970's easter dresses - embroiderd nylon overlay dresses that mom's made their little girls wear). They look like what my great grandma would pick out. They are just really really not my style. i feel bad.

They have a tag on them....no recipts...just brand name tag. So i looked it up to see who might sell them...where they were bought..etc. (honestly...i thought walmart or JC penney). Well...i'm finding that these dresses are only sold in boutiques...and they are not cheap.

Sooo...what the world do i do? i was thinking of just putting them in my friends garagesale next weekend. Do i keep them - even though i'm not going to put her in them?? do i email my SIL and tell her the sizes are off and they'll fit her in winter and ask where she got them?? am i just crazy?? HELP!!!

Luma88 · April 2011

How close are you with SIL? Can you be honest or will she not take it well? This is a toughie! If you can't be honest with her, I prob would try to sell them and not say anything (unless she will be around all the time).

Or maybe keep at least one and use it when you visit her????

NJMom050911 · April 2011

That's hard because if they're from a specialty stores she won't forget them like she would if she got them from a regular chain store since so many of these clothes look similar...She might ask down the road to see her niece in the dress

I think I would just be honest or say I never received the package LOL

MommyHarrison · April 2011

I agree with PP. If you think she would understand, tell her. BUT, to avoid friction, I would probably keep a couple and then just sell the rest in a garage sale or to Once Upon A Child or even on ebay or Craigslist or something. The way I see it (this it how I rationalized returning some clothing items that were NMS we were gifted), there's no point in taking up valuable space with clothing items you KNOW you'll never use!!

nadiadr · April 2011

just keep the dresses, take a picture of Baby in them and then get rid of them

elisbu · April 2011

PIP- I like 70's stuff, maybe I'll buy them off ya.

bride2be.austin · April 2011

Luma88:

How close are you with SIL? Can you be honest or will she not take it well? This is a toughie! If you can't be honest with her, I prob would try to sell them and not say anything (unless she will be around all the time).

Or maybe keep at least one and use it when you visit her????

not very close. they live in CO - so we only see them about once a year. there's no way i could tell her "i dont like them". and i dont want to keep them "just to keep them". ugh.

this is also the 2nd gift box she sent. the first one was full of clothes from gymboree that i really liked! and the stuff i didn't...i exchanged!

mellydawn84 · April 2011

nadiadr:
just keep the dresses, take a picture of Baby in them and then get rid of them

This

bride2be.austin · April 2011

elisbu - they are all yours if you want them...

Lilyzmom · April 2011

nadiadr:
just keep the dresses, take a picture of Baby in them and then get rid of them

I agree

anderjen34 · April 2011

I think they are cute!

mcginnie86 · April 2011

My grandfather's wife (sounds distant, but we're actually pretty close) got my LO a Navy sailor suit. Like, not just a onesie or pair of pants with a navy design on them, but a full out uniform, with overalls, hat, the whole shebang. I have no idea when or why we would put our son in that outfit, and what's more, my husband is in the army, haha. But we can tell by the material and wash instructions that it was probably pretty pricey, and she seemed really pleased with herself for buying it, so we're going to keep it long enough to at least take some pictures of him in it before we hand it off. One day in a goofy outfit is worth it to avoid hurt feelings, IMO.

cjgiannotti · April 2011

I think they're super cute! I'd totally put my little girl in those... At least they're not ugly colors or anything. Keep them and take pics in the like PP said and then that'll keep everyone happy. Then you can give them to whomever you please.

mzsparklepdx · April 2011

I think they're really pretty. Not everyday wear, for sure, but good for special occasions. Will they be the right size in the right season? If not, that would be a perfect excuse to exchange them for something else.

Callidryas · April 2011

bride2be.austin:
elisbu - they are all yours if you want them...

Those are adorable! I would take them in a heartbeat, if I knew I was having a girl. I'm sure someone on here would love to have them, if you want to sell them or even give them away.

bride2be.austin · April 2011

mzsparklepdx:
I think they're really pretty. Not everyday wear, for sure, but good for special occasions. Will they be the right size in the right season? If not, that would be a perfect excuse to exchange them for something else.

the pink one is probably going to fit her in Oct/Nov. so no...not the right season. the green one 18mo. so again Oct. so no...i dont think right season at all. all the others...same thing...except the 24 mo. i think i might email her that.

jeffrae · April 2011

I don't think they are that bad. Actualy quite cute! That being said, I would probably not put DD2 in either of those either though as they are not my style. It is hard when they get these "cute" dresses - especially as it is RARE that LO actually ever wears them. Who wants to deal with stockings and diapers? If they are the wrong season, let her know - that is just being honest and ask if you can return them.

I agree with PP - take a picture and send it and then pass the dress on.

And I completely understand - DH's aunts are almost 80 and their tastes are just a tad bit different then ours. WHat is funny is that they each bought us a dress (one 12 month, one 24 month) that are EXACTLY THE SAME! LOL. They are still hanging in our closet....

JMU_Bride09 · April 2011

That is a difficult situation! If you end up getting rid of them, I would keep at least one so that you can take a picture or have your LO wear them on a visit to SIL once.

deo · April 2011

I don't think the dresses look that bad. They are kind of cute.

I see how it could be a problem if they are the wrong season for the size. I would keep 2 or 3 of the dresses, they don't take up that much room.

theaustins05 · April 2011

bride2be.austin:
elisbu - they are all yours if you want them...

They really are pretty IMO. If no one else takes them I will, lol.

I got a really heavy jacket from my grandmother for LO in a size 0-3mo. Yea g-ma, she can't wear a jacket that heavy in May-July.

MrsD1 · April 2011

I don't think they're that bad but I completely understand if it's not your style and you don't want to put your baby in them.

We have some baby clothes from family that we would never buy or think of putting our baby in and now feel obligated to put her in, too. I'm planning on taking a couple of pictures of her in them and messaging them to the gift-giver (not posting them on FB) who lives across the country from us.

augustjam16 · April 2011

mcginnie86:
My grandfather's wife (sounds distant, but we're actually pretty close) got my LO a Navy sailor suit. Like, not just a onesie or pair of pants with a navy design on them, but a full out uniform, with overalls, hat, the whole shebang. I have no idea when or why we would put our son in that outfit, and what's more, my husband is in the army, haha. But we can tell by the material and wash instructions that it was probably pretty pricey, and she seemed really pleased with herself for buying it, so we're going to keep it long enough to at least take some pictures of him in it before we hand it off. One day in a goofy outfit is worth it to avoid hurt feelings, IMO.

We also got a sailor suit as a gift for DS from a family member. The tag showed it was from an expensive local boutique, a friend told me it was like a $40 outfit. I feel terrible but he never wore it. It was like a 10 piece costume and I just never got it on him. But I kept it just in case. Didn't have the heart to get rid of it but also didn't have the patience to put it on a 2 month old.

I think the dresses are cute but I understand your predicament. I think this is a common thing with baby girls. The clothes are adorable and people go nuts. My best friend and I had our showers together (for our firsts) and she received piles of dresses...taffeta and tutus galore! She asked me later what she was supposed to do with all of it! The clothes just weren't practical.

I would hold on to them, put them in the closet. You just never know.

alliejoe · April 2011

... do you have any friends getting married? You can offer your LO as flowergirl, complete with dress.

They're NMS, but they're cute- I just can't imagine a time or place where I would need a dress like that for a little girl (but if you're church going people, then maybe)

JUSTBEYOURSELF · April 2011

I totally think they are adorable but hey if you do not like them give them to someone that can use them. from your op I thought they were going to be horrid...

Ferris1013 · April 2011

I received so many outfits that are way off in the season and no receipts which I think is totally dumb for one when you buy an outfit think of what age the child will be when they wear it and give the person a receipt! I don't care how much you spent but I would like to get use out of your purchase! Also way too many newborn outfits what if my baby is 9 lbs??? lol