Single Parenting Support Group
Today being raised by a single parent is not uncommon. About three in ten children live in a single parent home. The most common type of single parent home is one with only a mother. However, single father homes are the fastest growing type of family situation; 60% growth in the last ten years alone.
... so i kind of feel like i don't have the right to go return the clothes they bought, 'cause if i did, they'd give me h - e - double-hockey-sticks [ i just wanted to censor, just in case :-) ] ...
i've also found it a complete waste of time to try to even reason with him, or even have him listen to his own daughter. he just refuses, and everything has to be his perfect way.
{p.s. not all the clothes they buy is bad, just a few horrendous items occasionally}
The keeping the tags thing is an awesome idea I never thought of and I think you should return the ones that are really bad if possible. Try and keep some and have her wear them when she goes back.
Jag
Maybe say: You know I wanted to tell you how grateful I am you buy our daughter clothes. She has shared with me that they are not really her style and I thought you should know so maybe you can involve her in the decision of what to buy next time since I agree with you and we should allow her to be more independent.
Anyway I think you should say something BUT there is a way to make it much worse than it has to be so I think you should choose your words wisely.
I can relate to your trouble of having a discussion but I have found by acknowledging the good in what he is trying to do before stating what you would like to see changed helps to diffuse the situation a bit. Also, by reiterating what he has told you is important (her independence) but gently reminding him it was his idea also helps take the focus off it being your idea. Maybe it's tricky but it works for me most of the time.
Good luck to you.