I bought Gabe a jacket from Land’s End a few years ago. It fit him well and I loved the look of it. He loved that it was comfortable (score for my sensory processing kid!). They didn’t have any in Con’s size, but I found a similar one for him elsewhere and we were set for colder weather. The jacket was uh-may-zing. The outer layer repelled stains and the inner layer was soft and warm. It lasted the season well, so I put it up for Connor to wear later down the road — or so I thought.
Fast-forward to the next fall: I’d just left my job, so things were tight while we re-budgeted our lifestyle. It hit me then that the kids would need new outerwear for the upcoming winter. To quell my curiosity, I pulled both jackets out of storage before hitting the pavement in search of new Louisiana winter gear. I tried Connor’s first — no dice. “If Con’s doesn’t fit, there’s no way Gabe’s will.” But I like pushing my luck, so I gave it a go. Thank God I did — it fit! I couldn’t believe my luck, but I chalked it up to a fluke. The jacket continued to impress, showing hardly any wear whatsoever. Back in storage it went, this time I was sure for Connor.
Things weren’t as tight the following year but, being the frugal momma that I am, I pulled the coats out, anyway. Once again, Connor would need a new jacket — but what about Gabe?? It would be waaaay too good to be true. Nevertheless, I tried it. Y’all, my poor kid was all but crossing his fingers that he’d need new digs. I was crossing mine that he wouldn’t. EUREKA! I felt like a winning contestant on The Price is Right. The damned thing FIT. I couldn’t believe it. Poor Gabe couldn’t either but, regardless, we were set for another season with what I dubbed as, “The Magical, Hunter Green Land’s End Miracle Jacket”.
By the end of the final cold snap, the jacket finally showed signs of becoming too small. My boy would no longer be forced to don the same coat for a fourth year. But even still, the M.H.G.L.E.M.J still looked great. It withstood playgrounds, pizza joints, field trips, and little brother sticky hands. So back into the closet it went — waiting on the next time it’ll get to serve its purpose. Am I intrigued? Y’all know I am.
Any of you guys experience the gloriousness of seemingly magical kids’ clothing? Drop your frugal but awesome finds below. I’d love to hear from you!
Memoirs of a Stay at Home Mom 
YES!!!!! I’m a first time Mom and I couldn’t believe how quickly babies go through clothes!!! I saved my son’s winter clothes from last year hoping that he can still some of them this year..
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It’s equally great as well as disheartening. Haha! I try abs keep their clothes looking as nice as possible so I can resell them or pass them on to friends of ours. Baby clothes are the hardest, though, because they have the most random growth spurts. One day my six month old was in 3-6 month and the next day he’s geared up for 6-9. 😜
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Hahaha… this is cute. I chuckled at the end. I was let go from my job 8mo pregnant with our second. My kids are growing so fast, I wish I could keep them in the same outfits for longer than a few months. I can’t wait for the day that I have this battle 🙂
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Bless your heart! That’s rough, momma. They grow quickly, and our pocketbooks shrink just as rapidly. 😂
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My son is 11 and as much as I was unsure about having any more kiddos, something told me to just hold on to some passed down clothing and blankies. I had a favorite shirt that I knew I would keep forever regardless. Now I have a 4 month old and when he gets older, he too will enjoy this precious shirt and so will my nephews right behind him 💙
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Love that! I’ve kept a few special pieces from each of my boys. They’re just clothes, but there’s always a sweet memory attached that I can’t quite let go of.
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Yes! Somewhat someway makes me feel like I still have a little piece of them. Literally 😂💙
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This is hilarious and so relatable! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you!
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I can totally relate to this 😂. Thanks for sharing
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Girl, the struggle. 😂😂😂
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Girlllllllllll I can totally relate……Last year my sons expensive North face from the prior year still fit and i was like “praise jesus!”
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Cheap jackets are just that: cheap jackets. I don’t want a sleeve falling off halfway through two wears — lol. But buying new jackets every year can get costly!
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haha good luck! stock up on sales!
Xx
Kali
http://www.lovelaughexplore.com
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I love a good sale!
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Omg I can so relate!!! this is awesome!!! Stock up on the sales!!
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I love this post. I don’t have kids, but I could envision every “I-Hope-It-Still-Fits” fitting! I’m glad that it still fit and that you got away with having to buy your son a new jacket when you least expected it. Not to mention, Land’s End offers excellent workmanship and quality products. Great post!
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The only thing I pray harder on the “I-Hope-It-Still-Fits” spectrum are my OWN pants. Hahaha! Land’s End is awesome, especially for growing little guys. Thanks for your comment!
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Oh wow! Good to know, we get a few cold months here in Texas and I never have the right jacket!! I need to check them out!
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We’re in Louisiana, and while it doesn’t get just COLD here, it gets chilly enough for a jacket. This one was perfect. Plus!, it had a removable liner!
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