How to dress the twins...

I'm sure everyone probably has a different opinion on this, but I am just curious what everyone's thoughts are. My husband and I were talking, and I asked him what he thought about dressing the twins (we are having two girls) alike--at least in the beginning (0-2 years maybe?). Well, he immediately said he didn't want to dress them alike, that he wants them to be seen as individuals. And I agree, to a certain point. I mean, I want them to have their individuality, of course, but I think it would be not only cute, but convenient to dress them alike at least at first. But maybe I'm wrong for feeling this?

Reason I am bringing this up now, is I am getting our baby registries (Wal-Mart and BRU) set up, and I'm not sure what to do as far as clothing goes.

Any thoughts?

Susanne

 

My girls are 3 for the most part when I buy then clothes i do coordinating outfits. So Dani was in pink and Sydney was in purple or green. Now that they are older, some times they want to wear the same exact thing other days they don't.

 

Hi,
Although I haven't had my twins yet, my husband and I have discussed this topic at length. We've decided to do a bit of both by dressing the children similarly at times and at other times differently. Our reasoning has to do with the fact that both of us as children were dressed similarly to our siblings at times and the rest of the time we weren't. What is the difference when it comes to twins? I also know a couple who had identical twin girls who fought over their clothing if they couldn't dress the same. Perhaps the children will decide for you once they get to that age!

 

This is just me... but I'm against dressing them alike. Your kids will attract enough attention as twins; dressing them alike seems to reinforce that they're different from everyone else and "odd". Also, when they're older and want to look at pictures, if all they see is themselves dressed alike they'll think you didn't see them as individuals when they were babies.

I can say from experience that it's no easier to dress them alike than it is to pick two coordinating outfits out of the drawer. Besides, even if you try to dress them alike, there will be many many days where one spits up and you have to change her, or the other has a diaper blow out so they'll end up in different clothes.

For the first year I dressed my girls in coordinating clothes. I bought the five packs of cute onesies and they wore different ones each day. They didn't match, but they did have on the same color family. I also had the same style sleeper in several different colors so they didn't match, but they did look similar. Now, at 15 months old, I still try to buy clothes that coordinate but some days they're in completely random things.

In the end, everything in moderation seems to be the answer for me. My advice is to register for a few cute matching outfits for your girls and do coordinating for everything else.

 

I could see maybe dressing them same for a family portrait... but I always try to coordinate those anyway.

Our plan, is to not dress them the same... maybe the same outfit but in different colors but I think that's as far as we would take it.

 

I wouldn't say that I'm against dressing the boys exactly alike, but I do try to avoid it outside of a few special occasions. I do tend to buy things that are similar, but in different colors or patterns, though. For example, Carters has the five packs of coordinating onesies that I absolutely love! I also find it difficult to even find matching clothes in their size, since we live in a smaller town and don't have a great selection.

It's a totally personal decision and there's nothing wrong with it. But, I do agree with the statement that they'll attract enough attention as it is. I think it just depends on one's personality. Your little ones will be fine and still develop their own set of traits and ideas on their own, no matter what. I think dressing them alike is probably the least harmful thing you could do.

 

Well mine are b/g so I don't dress them a like.

However, if I had the same sex twins I would most likely dress them in color coordinating outfits, the same outfit, just different colors or simiar outfits. I don't think I would dress mine a like. I might for special occasions though, but not everyday.

 

I haven't had the boys yet but we bought a few of the same outfits just for pictures and then we bought a lot of coordinating outfits for the first couple of months. We also received a lot of hand me downs so they will be wearing completely different clothes too. I think that overall we are going to try to keep the exact matching outfits to visits from grandparents (who bought them) and pictures for their scrapbook. you have a lot of options though. Carter's has a lot of coordinating sets, some even mix and match.

 

my original intention was to dress them "the same but different" ... coordinating outifts, or the same outfit, just different colors. well, my mom buys them clothes ALL the time and it's always matching, and when others get them clothes, it's matching, so now i dress them in matching all the time (unless i have outfits that are "the same but different" ) . for me, personally, it's easier to dress them in matching. and i think it's cute! ardon:

 

My twins are b/g. On special occations I try to coordinate their outfits, i do however sometimes on those special occations dress my baby like my older girl. In this picture the girls are wearing the same dress.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/L...81/DSCF3032.jpg

 

QUOTE(idril @ Aug 18 2008, 09:38 AM) [snapback]935095[/snapback]
This is just me... but I'm against dressing them alike. Your kids will attract enough attention as twins; dressing them alike seems to reinforce that they're different from everyone else and "odd". Also, when they're older and want to look at pictures, if all they see is themselves dressed alike they'll think you didn't see them as individuals when they were babies.

I can say from experience that it's no easier to dress them alike than it is to pick two coordinating outfits out of the drawer. Besides, even if you try to dress them alike, there will be many many days where one spits up and you have to change her, or the other has a diaper blow out so they'll end up in different clothes.


I agree with this totally!!

I'd also actually suggest NOT registering for clothes at all. Everyone loves to buy clothes and they will get you whatever they want!!! I told everyone we did not want matching outfits adn I still got 10 sets or so!

 

I have b/g twins, so it's not really an issue here. But before we knew it was b/g, we did talk about it. My husband was on the same page as yours. We decided that {if they were same sex} we'd only dress them alike for holidays or parties. That was our agreement, but I don't know how long I would have stuck with that since I see pictures on here and they look TOO cute dressed alike!

One other suggestion, if you are registering soon, don't register for clothes. People are going to buy what they want {clothes wise anyway} and you should go for your big ticket items. :good: Plus, finding clothes that someone registered for is a PITA! :laughing:

Good luck and have fun!

 

My boys are dressed alike a lot of the time. I generally let them pick what they want to wear and even if I have them in 2 separate rooms they tend to pick the same outfit. Sometimes I can talk them into wearing different colors, but that doesn't always work because they will fight over one color and not want the other. Oh, boys can be so picky sometimes lol.

Anyway, I think however you decide to dress you little ones will be just fine.

 

I was adamant about dressing them different (because they are id…) BUT I find myself always snapping pic when they are dressed similar… I just posted pics this morning (in the first year forum) with them in the same “type” outfit… different colors… if you’re interested the post is called 15 weeks. BUT they are still small... and we dont go out much... when we do go out i plan on letting them pic... my older ds started picking his outfits around a year... he would point to what he wanted...

Eizabeth

 

My boys have always been in coordinating outfits - same outfit (or similar) but different colors. Now they like to "pick out" who wears which color. Of course, of someone gives them matching outfits as a gift I will put them in those from time to time. Honestly, WHATEVER IS CLEAN!!!!

 

I don't know what we'll be doing with our twins. We've talked about it, but neither of us has a strong opinion either way. I just remember I had friends who were twins in school. Their parents had been adamant about them having different clothes at the start because they were two different kids. By the time they were 2 they wanted to wear the same clothes. Even through elementary school they picked out the same or similar outfits for themselves because it is what they wanted. No matter what you choose to do now they will soon have their own opinion on things. So whatever you want is fine.
I'm thinking we'll probably do some the same, some similar and some totally different since we already have some clothes for boys or girls from the older siblings. We'll just have to buy some more stuff to make it enough for two babies instead.

 

-We have a few fully matching outfits but mostly I like the coordinating or half-matching look. There is something to be said for not dressing them exactly alike for ease of speedy identification. I can imagine a good deal of confusion when you're dealing with two young babies who look so much alike in a sleep-deprived stupor (i.e. feeding the same baby twice and the other not at all).

FWIW, I was up-front with people and told everyone that we prefer half-matching when dressing them and people have respected our wishes.

I don't really think we've gotten less twin attention by not dressing them alike. The only thing that really throws people is to have one ride in the cart and the other walk.

 

Same but different for me too ... they're going to share everything (apparel wise) as babies and everything I've bought so far has gone into a big drawer. Just looking at that stuff I can see they'll be pretty coordinated as I'm picky about what I buy and my taste is quite simple; whites, pale blue, pale orange, I love a soft stripe and a little decal here and there ... so yeah, you're going to know they're brothers, that's for sure!

I know my mum is busy buying matching outfits over in England (can grandma's actually stop themselves when it comes to this?!) and I also know it's going to be very hard for me to resist dressing them up for a few holiday costume portraits for posterity. My two little Halloween Pumpkins - what fun!!!

Have fun buying lots of cute stuff for your girls!!
Molly

 

Thank you all for your input!! This really helps me a lot. I like the idea of coordinating (same but different) outfits. Will discuss that with DH.

Keep the comments coming, though! I am really enjoying hearing everyone's input!

 

We have planned to dress them alike & alike but, different ( with the same outfit, different color). Until they are older and can tell us they want to wear something different. With my son that was around 2. Since then he has had ALOT of say in what he did/did not want to wear.

 

I wanted to second the thought that there's not much use registering for clothes. Everyone I've heard from says that their friends and family bought whatever they wanted anyway for clothes, so registering for them was a waste of time. You will get tons of clothes whether you register for them or not. This was certainly my experience as well. Just FYI...

 

I ALWAYS dress my boys alike. It's easier to go into the closet and pick out one outfit and I'm done. I have all of their clothes hanging in pairs in their closet. It helps me know what is clean and what is available to wear right away. Besides it is sooo cute to see them dressed alike. My boys look so different and one is 3 inches taller than the other that most people don't realize they're twins even when they are dressed alike. I don't know if I would have a different opinion if they were identical and people mixed them up all the time...maybe then I would coordinate the outfits but dress them differently.

 

I never thought I'd dress my boys alike for a lot of the reasons pp have listed- the individuality factor, etc. And being a twin myself, I was always glad my mom never dressed us alike (except for pictures) but now that I'm a twin mom- I can't help but dress them alike! I don't know why- they just look so cute. I don't do it every day because they don't have the wardrobe for that, and certainly if one of them needs to be changed- I don't change them both to match...

 

I dress my boys exactly alike .. they're ID and its just fun ! Now at 4 yrs old they get upset if they AREN'T dressed alike ! I find it SO much easier to just buy 2 of everything .. besides I would spend TOO much time trying to make sure they both look cute and one isnt dressed better than the other. Like if I have a favorite shirt .. well then who gets to wear it ? I know .. weird .. but thats just me.

 

QUOTE(smitch @ Aug 18 2008, 08:22 AM) [snapback]935076[/snapback]
I'm sure everyone probably has a different opinion on this, but I am just curious what everyone's thoughts are. My husband and I were talking, and I asked him what he thought about dressing the twins (we are having two girls) alike--at least in the beginning (0-2 years maybe?). Well, he immediately said he didn't want to dress them alike, that he wants them to be seen as individuals. And I agree, to a certain point. I mean, I want them to have their individuality, of course, but I think it would be not only cute, but convenient to dress them alike at least at first. But maybe I'm wrong for feeling this?

Reason I am bringing this up now, is I am getting our baby registries (Wal-Mart and BRU) set up, and I'm not sure what to do as far as clothing goes.

Any thoughts?

Susanne


I dress my boys the same everyday (well...they start the day that way at least!). When they are newborns, it was just so much easier. Only one decision to make...instead of 3 (i.e. pick 2 outfits and then decide who gets what). Plus, everyone gave us 2 of everything. And, at this point, I just can't decide who should get the "cuter" outfit. Much easier to dress them the same.

When they get older and want to dress differently, I'll be totally OK with that. For now, it's fun for me and they don't care!

Cary

 

When my boys were infants, I dressed them exactly alike. While I was pregnant, I did not imagine dressing them exactly alike. Then as time went on, we started to dress them in coordinating outfits rather then exactly the same. Ever once in awhile if I find an outfit I love or if it is for a holiday, I dress them exactly the same. I just think it is a lot of fun! When they can decide what they want to wear, I will stay out of it and let them decide if they want to dress the same or different!

 

QUOTE(Jenn G @ Aug 18 2008, 05:07 PM) [snapback]935875[/snapback]
I never thought I'd dress my boys alike for a lot of the reasons pp have listed- the individuality factor, etc. And being a twin myself, I was always glad my mom never dressed us alike (except for pictures) but now that I'm a twin mom- I can't help but dress them alike! I don't know why- they just look so cute. I don't do it every day because they don't have the wardrobe for that, and certainly if one of them needs to be changed- I don't change them both to match...


ditto! (Ok.. minus the part of me being a twin - )
I had originally planned on NOT dressing them alike but have found I LOVE DOING IT! granted not every single day are they matching but most of the time

 

I dress my girls alike everyday. I find it easier. I also don't mind the attention and the girls love it too (attention- for now anyways). When I find outfits- I quickly look for the same outfit in a different color and if they don't have it or don't have the size I need, I just grab two identical ones.

I would say 95% of their outfits are identical, 4% are the same but different color and the other 1% never get worn.

 

Prior to the girls' births, I was against dressing them alike for all the reasons you listed. Now that they are here, I dress them alike (occasionally coordinating, rarely different) 99% of the time. It's so darn cute and they don't have a clue at this point. My girls look alike also so it has forced my family and friends to really get to know the girls in order to tell them apart. If they want to dress differently as they get older, I don't have a problem with it.

 

I love dressing my boys alike. I usually only do it when we go out, which is maybe once or twice a week. I am amazed at how many people don't get they are twins even when they are wearing the same thing. The other day a woman thought one of the babies was much younger. They were dressed the same but sitting in two different booths at DQ cause a family member was taking care of one. They are only 6oz. off. Anyways, yes they attract attention, but I don't think it has to do with their outfits. Besides their personality shines through even though they are dressed the same.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1128...mp;id=553326734

 

One word... EASIER ... it takes my brain so long to consider where we are going the possible temperature changes from being inside to airconditioning or mall temperatures inside or being outside.... I can pick one outfit and it is either the same or in a similar pattern. I find the clothes that don't match take me soooo long to find something that coordinates that I usually give up. Plus I was just so happy with whatever people gave us.

I'd highly recommend some of those Carter outfits that are soft cotton, so if at the end of the day you are a bit too tired they can sleep in them. Also zipper sleepers are the bomb !!! No time in the night for all those buttons. Make sure all snaps are easy to undo. Nice sleepers, so even if you go out with them in sleepers they still look cute and fuzzy. Nothing that needs to be ironed. (except that one dress for the pictures) Osh gosh socks are the best to stay up. Alright going off topic here sorry.....

 

I swore, as soon as I found out I was having twins, that I would never dress them the same. That all changed as soon as I found my first baby clothing sale. Now I've been stocking up on matching outfits. I guess I'll just have to see if they eventually don't want to be dressed the same. I'm sure they won't notice for a while. We did get a lot of hand me downs that weren't the same, but I think they're cute dressed the same!!

 

First off, I wouldn't register for any clothing. You'll get tons of clothing regardless. The only clothing I registered for were white onesies and those elastic bottom gowns, but I got neither of those. What I did get was approximately 25 designed onesies, 30 matching outfits, and about the same in matching sleepers.

I would have preferred to not have them match all the time. Coordinate, yes, but not exact match. But I was pretty well stocked on clothing for the first 2 years from my shower, birthdays, and Christmas, so for the first two years they did a lot of matching. Now that I am buying things we coordinate more than match.

 

Ditto pps...careful with registering for clothes...if you are having a shower(s) you are likely to get a ton of clothes that you didn't ask for.

My boys are dressed in coordinating outfits (same outfit/different color) about 90% of the time, different outfits all together maybe 5% and matching maybe 5%. Coordinating is easier for me because that way I can tell someone which boy is wearing which color and they can keep straight who is who but it's easy to buy because most outfits/shirts come in varying stripes or patterns.

 

I dress my big boys (6 and 8- obviously not twins) the same often. They are the same size. Honestly, since Dh and I have to do the laundry it's just plain easier. But, I'd say only 1/3 of what they have are the same. With the twins, I almost always dress them alike. When I find an outfit at a great savings, I buy two. Honestly it's cute, easy, and they don't care so why not? Now, when they get older, it'll be up to them. That is after they have worn out their brother's matching clothing.