If you have children, you know that kids clothes can cost a small fortune, especially at times of growth spurts or back to school season. Shopping for kids clothes doesn’t have to break the bank, though, and today I’ll tell you exactly how you can dress your kids well for less and save money on kids clothes, accessories and shoes.
15 ways to save money on kids clothes
Hand-me-downs
If you have more than one child or have family and friends with kids similar in age to yours’, hand-me-downs are a great way to save money on kids clothes. When Amy was first born, she received tons of clothes from her cousins and we had to buy hardly any clothes for her - an absolute godsend considering how little wear babies get out of their clothes.
Buy out of season
If hand-me-downs are not for you or you prefer buying brand new clothes for your kids, try buying out of season. That simply means buying summer clothes during the autumn sales and putting them away for the coming year or buying swimsuits or sandals in winter. I’ve just picked up the most gorgeous folk blouse for Amy and instead of £17.99, it was £0.99 - see why I love out of season shopping so much?
Buy ahead of time
This one’s quite similar to buying out of season, but if you see a real bargain but the item of clothing etc. is a size or two too big, it’s still worth getting it, if it means you can save money. It’s a little difficult to guess how much your newborn will grow and how it will align with the seasons but if you’ve got older kids, it’s pretty easy to buy ahead and save money on kids clothes or shoes.
Forget sizes
You know the little tags inside your kids’ clothing telling you they are for kids aged 12-18 months? Forget about them! This is especially easy with girls clothes. Their dresses can easily transform into a cute tunic that can be worn with tights or leggings and the aforementioned can simply become a pair of capris.
I’ve done this loads with Amy and up until last year, she still wore a dress for 3-year-olds as a top. I just loved it too much to put it away and if you take a closer look, you will find that the size of the bodice is pretty much the same across toddler and pre-schooler sizes.
Be versatile
Shopping whole collections and matching outfits can be fun but it’s also a way to easily get sucked into spending money that you might not have. Try being more versatile and grab items that you can mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe. You’ll come up with lots of different options and won’t have to limit yourself to just a couple of pieces.
Extend the life of kids clothes
Another great way to save money on kids clothes is to simply extend their life by getting a little creative. Babies can wear footed PJs or sleepsuits a lot longer if you cut off the feet once your kids get too long and the life of onesies can be extended with this clever little invention.
Layer clothes
Another tip for those of you who want to make kids clothes last that little bit longer is layering. Girls shorts and skirts can be worn throughout autumn and winter with some leggings or tights, T-shirts can be layered with a longsleeved vest underneath and cardigans are a great way to let a cute top shine while still keeping your kids warm.
Clothing swap
Quite possibly the best way to save money on kids clothes is to not spend any money at all. Sign up to a clothing swap near you and swap your kids’ old clothes for something someone else does no longer need or want without paying a single penny. Clothing swaps are often hosted by mother and baby groups, at your local church, school or children’s centre, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Carboot sales
Carboots sales or yard sales are a great place to score a bargain or two. Just make sure to get there early so you can go through all the items and pick out the best bits. And don’t forget to double-check that all the zippers work and no buttons etc. are missing unless you are able and willing to replace them yourself.
Charity shop/thrift shop
Charity shops, or thrift shops if you’re in America, are like a treasure trove when it comes to saving money on kids clothes and dressing them for less. Because all clothes are donated, it might take you a little time to find the item you’re looking for but you’ll definitely be able to get a bargain and at the same time, you’re doing your bit to support a charity and great cause.
Shop in outlets
Depending on your budget, it’s definitely worth to check designer outlets online and near you. You’ll often find baby and junior designer clothes for a fraction of the original price and have an item that will do well when reselling it.
Buy clothing bundles online
Not only can you resell your kids’ outgrown clothes on eBay or Facebook selling pages, you can also save some money on kids clothes by buying them on global and local online sites. Particularly bundle deals are a fantastic way to save some of your hard-earned cash and stock up your kids’ wardrobe at the same time.
Ask for clothes as gifts
Clothes make a fantastic gift, so when friends and family ask you what they could get your kids for their birthday or a special occasion, why not tell them that you’d love some new clothes for them? Let’s face it, your family and friends will love that you saved them from wrecking their brains and your kids will receive something they’ll actually use. No one needs 25 cuddly toys anyway, right?
If you’re clever about it, you could even gift a cute item of clothing to someone who is giving you their kids’ hand-me-downs. Talk about killing to birds with one stone!
Rent or borrow clothes for special occasions
Special occasions are few and far between so getting an entire outfit just for a wedding, Easter brunch or a Christmas party can be a real waste of money, especially if your little ones will grow out of it in a couple of months.
Why not try renting or borrowing occasionwear instead? It’s a pretty new concept but there are lots of cute online boutiques who offer rental occasionwear and if that’s not for you, you could always ask friends if they’ve got an outfit your kids could borrow for an event?
Use coupon codes
If you do decide to hit up the sites of online retailers, make sure to sign up for their newsletter so you can schedule your shopping spree around the latest deals and promotions.
Also, never ever shop without a coupon code. You might not always be able to save money on kids clothing but you’re quite often able to get a free delivery.
So that’s it, 15 ways to save money on kids clothes and dress them well for less. What are your money-saving tips for kids clothing? I’d love to know any tips you’ve got up your sleeves!
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