Should college kids get some $ for clothes?

[Anonymous]

We're not made of money and DC is at an expensive college. DC hasn't asked, but looking at college pictures, DC is wearing clothing purchased 1-3 years ago. Going "school shopping" for clothes wasn't even something that popped into our mind for college. But should it? After thinking about it, it's really unrealistic to think DC can randomly afford to buy new jeans, vests, shoes, business casual clothes, winter coat, etc. on their own, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

We give our college-age DC $250 each season to buy some new things. Anything beyond that is on him.

We also give him big-ticket items for his birthday and Christmas, e.g. a new jacket or coat, boots, etc.

[Anonymous]

We sent one kid to Stanford and one to Berkeley. I took each clothing shopping the summer before their freshman year. We paid for college and grad school.

Their father and I decided to give them $300 a year towards clothes, and it was on them to save money given as gifts and from jobs to pay for whatever else they needed. Although we did say we would always pay for birth control of their choosing with no questions asked (we lied, we asked questions).

[Anonymous]

We did contribute money to their business professional wardrobe, but not for wear-to-class and going out clothes. They had summer jobs for stuff like that.

If their winter coat was in bad shape I'm sure we'd contribute...but otherwise, why does a kid need new jeans/vests/etc. every 1-3 years? Seems very wasteful.

[Anonymous]

Bought my son a big winter coat as he is going to school in a much colder place. Also warm gloves. Other than that the clothes from HS are fine. I plan to ask if he needs anything else at xmas time.

[Anonymous]

DC #1 attends a college within 2 hours of home. We went shopping before school started and I just sent DC some money for a refresh (jacket, shoes, sweatshirt). DC #2 goes to a school in an area notable for cold weather. DC is home for break and we will go shopping for some cold weather pieces. I think the kids need some money to buy ciothes just as we do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC #1 attends a college within 2 hours of home. We went shopping before school started and I just sent DC some money for a refresh (jacket, shoes, sweatshirt). DC #2 goes to a school in an area notable for cold weather. DC is home for break and we will go shopping for some cold weather pieces. I think the kids need some money to buy ciothes just as we do

He needed a refresh after 2 months?

[Anonymous]

We went shopping the summer before freshman year and bought a few new things, and we did buy DC the big north face parka, as she went to school in a much colder climate...but no, other than that, we did not send money for clothes. She works over the summer and saved several thousand from that, so she is perfectly capable of purchasing them herself when she deems it necessary.

[Anonymous]

I usually buy DD a few things at Christmas and occasionally send her a shirt or something small. She has a part-time job and we pay her tuition, room and board. I have to wear clothes that are 1 to 3 years old and I somehow cope.

[Anonymous]

Take them shopping during breaks.

[Anonymous]

Adults have more of a collection of clothes than teens do because we've been around longer. Usually teens are still growing when they head off to college so it makes sense that they will need to replenish and replace as they age. I think you need to help with that. We're not made of money, either, but if we can pay for tuition then I think we can also eck out $400-500 each year for clothes. This is especially important as the kids start interviewing and need business professional types of clothing.

[Anonymous]

???
Were you in the habit of purchasing clothes yearly, perchance?

I still have a denim skirt and jeans from when I was 14, OP. I buy clothes when my old ones are worn out. Apparently, the old denim was made way better than the new denim

If you're not made of money, your adult child, who I assume is not growing, can do the same.

[Anonymous]

I went to college with no one I knew, so all of my clothes were “new”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did contribute money to their business professional wardrobe, but not for wear-to-class and going out clothes. They had summer jobs for stuff like that.

If their winter coat was in bad shape I'm sure we'd contribute...but otherwise, why does a kid need new jeans/vests/etc. every 1-3 years? Seems very wasteful.

I need new jeans every year or so. Clothes don’t last long anymore.

OP, does he need new clothes? Probably. If he’s wearing clothes that are three years old that means they’re from 10th grade. Hasn’t he grown?

If he doesn’t have a job then yeah he might need money for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did contribute money to their business professional wardrobe, but not for wear-to-class and going out clothes. They had summer jobs for stuff like that.

If their winter coat was in bad shape I'm sure we'd contribute...but otherwise, why does a kid need new jeans/vests/etc. every 1-3 years? Seems very wasteful.

I need new jeans every year or so. Clothes don’t last long anymore.

OP, does he need new clothes? Probably. If he’s wearing clothes that are three years old that means they’re from 10th grade. Hasn’t he grown?

If he doesn’t have a job then yeah he might need money for them.

Are you buying your jeans for $12 at Forever 21..?