Annalyn’s birthday is in October, which falls a little too late for new fall clothes. We’ve learned that we can hold out for the bulk of her cool weather clothes, but we have to break down and buy some things to get through the first few weeks of fall.
Over the tax-free weekend, I bought a few pair of pants along with glue, crayons and safety scissors. And this past weekend, we visited the Carter’s outlet store where, of course, the whole store was 20 percent off.
As we head into a new season (and my daughter has grown at least a foot, I swear), I’m reminded of two things. One, I’m powerless to resist the cuteness that is a soft pink blanket sleeper with a monkey face on it – or a satin Christmas dress with white and pink polka dots. And two, for being so small (even when you’re looking at 5T – yes, 5T!), kids’ clothes are kind of expensive!
I guess the problem is that we have to pretty much round up an entire new wardrobe every four to six months. And it can add up.
One way to avoid some of the damage to your wallet is to shop garage sales. I got several super cute fall/winter outfits this summer at a garage sale. I was actually selling a few things, along with several other girls from church. I was so excited that one of my fellow sellers had a daughter older than mine – and good taste in clothes!
[For the record, I did make more than I spent. In case you were wondering. Not that my husband asked as soon as I got home.]
Another way to save money on the seasonal wardrobe upgrade is by participating in consignment sales. My friend Hillary has written a hilarious how-to post for rocking consignment sales, including a reminder to bring sharp elbows and a smile: Tips from the Consignment Sale Guru.
I also read another post recently at Longbrake Living, a top ten list of consignment sale strategy and practical tips from Mary-Carolyn.
It just so happens that my friend Keri is part of a huge consignment sale this coming weekend. Keri has twins just a few months older than Annalyn, and she’s active with a mothers of multiples group. They put on a great sale, so if you’re local – and would like to outfit your kiddos for less than retail – check it out.
The sale is one day only, open to the public and costs just $1. You’ll find tons of gently used clothes, shoes and outerwear, maternity clothes, car seats, bedding and furniture, toys, books, videos and much more.
Children’s Fall Consignment Sale
King of Kings Lutheran Church
1701 NE 96th Street, KCMO
September 11, 2010, 8 am – 2 pm
How do you save money when buying children’s clothes?
I suppose I should mention another way to clothe your children in style: win them on blogs. I won the adorable pillowcase dress on Annalyn (in the photo above) from The Finer Things in Life. It was made by Hot Tots Boutique, and I simply LOVE it!
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Honestly the bulk of Libbie’s clothes have been hand-me-downs. And baby David is VERY lucky that I have two cousins who had little boys (and now have little girls, so they’re passing around Libbie’s clothes). We also fill in with consignment sales, Goodwill, and gifts from Nana and Poppy. Although a confessed Gymboree addict, I really buy very little. (Especially right now!!)
Same here, Jessie. I’m so thankful for older cousins!
I help host a kids clothing sale for charity.. We get donations from all over and then sort and sell them with all the money going to a local charity… We keep our prices low .50 per item.. So everyone can shop… It keeps everyone clothing cost very low and help a local group.. We make about $7,000.00 each time we have the sale… And then what does not sell we give to the local shelters. A win win all around..
What a great idea!
Thanks for the shout out Mary! You da best! I better see your smiling face at the most awesome sale in the Northland this weekend my friend!
Well, I would be there if I weren’t heading to the BEACH!!!
I shop thrift stores pretty exclusively. I used to be able to shop department store clearance racks, but I think the economy is impacting stores and the clearance racks just aren’t as deeply discounted as they were a few years ago. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful thrift store right down the street from me, and usually manage to score some excellent deals.
Another thing I find helpful is to be willing to shop for the future. I know that they will grow out of their current size in a matter of months, so I always check the next few sizes up for clothes in good condition. At the beginning of the summer, I got to the thrift store and bought what must have been the entire wardrobe for a boy a year or two older than mine – I scored tons of jeans and shorts and am now set for the next size up.
If you go often and are willing to search the racks and buy sizes bigger than your immediate need, I think you can save a BOATLOAD of money.
You know, I have not taken advantage of our thrift stores. I need to. And every time it comes up, I say, “I need to.” Ha! Maybe this fall…
I save by graciously accepting the gifts of grandparents and aunts/uncles LOL! I shop sales, clearance racks and also thrift stores. I usually don’t look for used for my son, because at his age (4), boys are pretty hard on clothing, and most of what people are selling is pretty worn out and they are asking too much, when I can buy something brand new for the same price on clearance. I also buy clothing out of season (i.e. fall/winter clothing at the end of the season when stores are pulling out spring/summer) I find really good deals then. A sweet friend of my mom’s gives me her boys clothing.
Yes, me, too! Off-season is hard for me. Annalyn just keeps growing so fast – faster than we expect, season after season – and I can’t seem to estimate correctly.
Layering! Buy things like that cute pillowcase dress and then put a long sleeve shirt and leggings with it and it becomes a year-round outfit! There is also the obvious tip of shopping off-season clothes–I got several sundresses at the end of last summer for a dollar each from wal-mart. It is fairly easy to estimate sizes in shirts and dresses, as they can be worn a little big. Pants and shorts are a little trickier, but if they end up not fitting you are only out a few dollars.
I have done that and will definitely be doing more of it this fall (with dresses as long shirts). Thanks for bringing up this idea!
I have this really great way to save money on my son’s clothes….grandparents! :-)
Seriously, my husband’s aunt told me when I was pregnant that I would never have to worry about my child being clothed and she was right. My mom has bought probably 50% of my son’s clothes in his 11 years. She’s especially good about specialty items. I can just tell her that he really needs church clothes or basketball shoes or that he would really like a bomber jacket. Thank heaven for Nana!
Ha! Me, too. Hand-me-downs and gifts have gotten us VERY far in the wardrobe department!
Just like you: Consignment Sales!! That’s pretty much the only place I shop for my kids’ clothes. I might sneak a peek at the clearance rack at Target while I’m there, but I rarely find anything. LOL (I’m such a cheepy). Garage sales are great if you don’t mind the hunt (Which I LOVE), but I can’t afford/risk the gas and possibly not having a profitable trip anymore. :(
Thanks for the great links!
Clearance racks are a great place to find clothes…although they’re best for off-season clothing, which I find difficult to decide on (sizes, that is).
Wow! Thanks for the link! I have no idea how I just now noticed this, but I did. Better late than never right?
I’m so glad I became a consignment sale fiend – I’ve only bought three new clothing items for my son, and it’s starting to revolutionize the way I think about my clothing too.
I love that pillowcase dress! Another reason I hope I’ll have a girl someday!
Oh, yeah, dressing a girl is a lot of fun! (Until she decided to have her own opinions. And then it’s…not as fun…!)