Kids Clothing Deals!

This morning I am working my volunteer shift at my very first consignment sale!  Last night I took all of the goods I wanted to sell and it got me thinking about all the clothes I have for the bears (yes, wayyyyy too many clothes!!!)  But, I hardly EVER pay retail and I have some favorite tips to share!

**Be prepared, this post is long y'all!**

First, even though I have two boys, I have dressed them very differently.  I loved the "grown up" preppy look for Big Bear when he was little--button up shirts and khaki pants or jeans.  I did like the traditional clothes (bubbles, smocking, jon jons and longalls) but Mr. Banker wasn't the biggest fan so I didn't buy too many of those for BB.  However, with Little Bear my love for these classic looks has grown, and as he is my "baby" I fully intend to have him in one piece outfits until he tells me otherwise!

For dressier (church) outfits I try to not spend more than $20.  I will stray from this if I can get matching for the boys or if I am looking for a certain motif for a holiday or event.  More often than not I spend less than $15 per outfit.  Here are the places I buy most things for the boys:

Goodwill/Thrift Stores!

Shocking, right?  I have found things here and there for the boys...it is so cheap (less than $2) that I at least have to look when I am nearby--there is a Goodwill very close to BB's school, so if I have an extra few minutes before pickup I will pop in.

The red outfit is Strasburg Children and had the TAGS on it!  

and

TIP #1: Buy plain outfits you can monogram!

I will get the black overalls monogrammed when LB can fit in them....always wait to monogram in case the season doesn't line up with the fit!  Then you will have a personalized outfit for under $15 (my local places run between $8-10 per monogram)

Consignment Stores/Sales!

I have several consignment stores I frequent, as well as a sale Bestie and I go to twice a year in Charlotte.  I will occasionally hit a sale here in Atlanta.

A few of my steals from the latest consignment sale.  Again, some more outfits I will monogram for under $5 a piece!

2 sweet outfits from my local consignment store.

and 

TIP #2: Outfits with multiple looks are more bang for your buck!

I was dying when I found this outfit at a consignment store near Bestie's house!  I will get the main outfit monogrammed and then it has the reversible button on piece for 2 more looks!

Online/Catalog!

Some of my favorites are Ragsland, Orient Expressed and Blessed be The Name.

 This is another multi-tasker from Orient Expressed, with tabs!

TIP #3: Think Ahead!  All of these companies have amazing end of season sales. 

I purchased the above outfit for Little Bear when I was still pregnant last December.  This year's Easter outfits will be just as cute next year.  And sometimes you will find "Spring" outfits discounted in June that are just perfect for late Summer!  If anything, size up.  You can often adjust buttons and sometimes get 2 years of wear from some items.  Or better yet for you girl mommas dresses can later be worn as tops with leggings!

 A reversible "Spring" outfit from Viva La Fete via Ragsland

Zulily and Totsy are also great sites, but I really have to be in love with something because they have hefty shipping charges (usually $8-9) and can sometimes take a while to ship.


Outlets!


I was so excited to visit the Bailey Boys Outlet at St. Simons Island this Summer!  They have great reversible outfits (obsessed!) and I was able to get a few matching outfits for the boys.  I followed tips #1 & #3 and got some plain outfits to monogram and ones in bigger sizes!

Another favorite is Chez Ami.  They have have several weeks a year that they open their outlet, but also have one online.  I have happened to be visiting our families near Raleigh several times when the outlet has been open, so I have purchased some great things there

TIP #4: If you find something you like, buy multiples!

I love Chez Ami shorts for boys.  BB already has the green check pair in a size 2, but for $8 each I stocked up and got a 3 and 4, so the boys will match for a few years to come!

and TIP #5: Think outside the box!

Chez Ami also sells fabric and I was able to get 2 yards of matching fabric for $6!  I plan to have initial shirts made for the boys to wear with the shorts!  Would be cute to make a bag too!


Also upscale department store outlets like Nordstrom Rack, Off Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus Last Call are great places to find Kissy Kissy, Zutano and similar brands at fantastic prices!

Heirloom!

My Mother-in-Law kindly saved some of her children's clothes including many sweet outfits that were handmade by Mr. Banker's grandmother.  Here are the boys wearing one of my favorites.

I am saving some of my favorite outfits and many monogrammed ones in hopes that the boys may have juniors one day!

Other places...

Costco: Great place for pajamas (Hannah Anderson) and good deals on Carters play clothes.

Kohls: I love the Jumping Beans brand.  They have solid tops that I can get monogrammed and turtlenecks for layering

Etsy: I often get holiday appliqued tees from Etsy- endless options!

Ebay: I have a saved search for "boys Lilly Pulitzer" since they haven't made much in recent years.  Always a good place to keep an eye out if you are looking for something specific!

Facebook: Who would have thought we'd be shopping on Facebook?  There are tons of groups: Lolly Wolly Doodle, Smockadot Kids, Smocktions, Smocked Swap (let me know if I'm missing any good ones!)...some are resale, some are pre-order and others are selling overstocks.  You have to be ready to go for these sales though...there are lots of shoppin mommas!


Whew...so needless to say my boys are usually very well dressed ;)  Do y'all love shopping for your kids and any other tips to add?