Clothing shopping if you have twins of the same gender

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 4767

Hello there!

I tend to purchase clothing for all of my kids per season. Being that DD #1 was not a twin and stained a lot of her older clothes, there is never enough of her hand me downs for my twins, so I always need to end up buying new items for the twins as well.

Here is my question: Do you buy 2 sets of everything or instead do you buy one of everything, but just more of it than you would for one kid? I only dress them in "matching" when the mood strikes. It's not like I do it consistently. It's more for making my life easier than anything else. I do, however, like the look of matching them in coordinating outfits, just not matching per se. This is for when we go out/shul. I could care less what they wear in the house.

In the past I have bought 2 set of everything but now I am thinking it would be better to buy one of each part of a "collection" and then mix and match.

What do you do?

(my twins are 18 months)
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"G-d I trust will understand, I'm not so sure about the neighbors.." -Yentl

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48145

You're obviously not concerned about the ayin horah issue, are you ?

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 4767

What's the ayin horah?

I talk about my kids on imamother all the time...as do many of us.

Maybe it wasn't clear, but my twins are already born (18 months old).

I don't purchase anything before a child is born.

are they identical? If not, plenty of parents of kids close in age dress them in similar clothing. My dds were about 15 months apart and I bought matching shabbos outfits till they were about 7, when they refused. I bought either identical clothes or the same outfit in different colours.

My issue, which you don't have, is that younger dd got to wear the same outfit for 2 or 3 years in a row.

If they are identical I would guess there is the issue of not knowing who is who.

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 4767

No they are not identical at all. One has blond hair and blue eyes and one has dark hair and dark yes! Also, one is zaftig and one is a skinny minny. Eventually I am pretty sure that they won't even wear the same size.
In fact my big girl looks more like one of the twins than the twins look like each other. I bet you that once they are all adults people will assume that those two are the twins.

Last year for the chagim I was able to get matchin outfits for all three, which some may not agree with, but in some communities it's very common. My big girl is now a size 5 or 6, so I don't think I will be able to get away with that next year from regular stores.

I think it is nice to have one or two matching sets of outfits for shabbos. When all your 7 kids match and your are still doing it with your 13 year olds it gets creepy.

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 4767

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 01 2009 Posts: 8200

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48145

And some say not to dress multiples exactly alike, as it is ayin horah.

Silver Member Joined: Jul 17 2007 Posts: 851

I think most people match their twins or coordinate. In my opinion, the best part of matching kids is that the outfit doesn't have to be so exciting (or expensive) but when they are matching it makes it look nicer. If 1 little girl walks into shul in a skirt and blouse she looks fine but when 2 or 3 or more all walk in together wearing the same thing it just looks that much more special.

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 4767

I am not one to spend a ton on kids clothes. I certainly know from my first one that there is no guarentee that you will be able to pass the clothes on.

I *do*have a weakness for Gymboree and enjoy late night internet shopping with coupon codes!

Executive Member Joined: Aug 10 2010 Posts: 413

I have 1 relative who has identical twin girls, and another with twin boys(not identical) they both dress their twins matching every single day down to their socks, hair bows and of course shoes! Where is the individuality?!?! It is hard enough to find your own friends, style,personality when you are an identical twin why are you making it more difficult!?!?
Your twins are not identical so its a different issue. I would buy 2 of a few special outfits, and then the rest co-ordinating(similar style but different pattern or same outfit but different color) and just mix and match. Its gets old matching twins every single day and then its not extra special or cute when they have that adorable shabbos dress for shul that is matching!

On a side note I hate when see a family with 5 or 7 girls and they are all dressed identically from the 2 year old to the bat mitzvah girl. I dont think its cute at all. Different strokes for different folks!

Diamond Member Joined: Jan 19 2006 Posts: 4427

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Gold Member Joined: Feb 15 2011 Posts: 1106 Location: UK

I know someone who has a boy and girl set oftwins. She ONLY dresses them matching!! They are 2 now and look NOTHING alike but depending on the day they look like 2 boys or 2 girls. She tries to dress them in neutral colours but sometimes they look too girly. The girl has earrings though. It's funny because the girl doesn't really have hair and the boys is quite long so people always mix up the gender.

Silver Member Joined: Jul 17 2007 Posts: 851