Saving money seems to have become America’s new national pastime. Blogs, websites, television shows and magazines are devoted entirely to the topic of saving money. If you are a parent shopping for kids clothes, saving money isn’t just a trendy fad. For you, it’s the difference between dressing your child well or coming up short of funds before you reach the end of your shopping list. Kids clothing needs to be both fashionable and durable. It also needs to be comfortable, and it may need to comply with school dress codes or do double-duty from time to time.
Look for kids clothes that can be mixed and matched to create different looks with the same pieces. This is not only important for variety’s sake, but it’s also practical for other reasons. If your daughter’s tan pants are in the wash, she can still wear her favorite pink shirt with her beige skirt. Too often, unique outfits are ruined when one piece gets stained or damaged. Try to find clothes that will work with other items in your child’s closet.
Children often want to wear what the other children are wearing. Specialized outfits are often costlier than more basic choices. Consider allowing your child to choose two or three must-haves, and then build the rest of her wardrobe around a few flexible, basic items. In addition, specialty items can tie a more generic outfit together for less than the complete outfit would cost. For example, rather than buying your daughter the entire outfit, see if she’s just as satisfied with pairing the trendy shirt with a more basic pair of pants. Or buy a single piece, such as a jacket, from a designer she likes and match it with cheaper wardrobe staples.
Multi-purpose items are often a good idea, but resist the temptation to create a wardrobe that lacks clothes designated for special occasions. Although many kids clothes are equally suitable for formal occasions or play, a playground or a mishap with paint can easily ruin pricey kids clothes. It might be cheaper in the long run to reserve certain outfits for worship or special occasions, and purchase durable, washable clothes for everyday wear. Read the product description for sturdy, climate-appropriate kids clothing that can take punishment. Doing so will save you money in the long run, even if it can seem frivolous to spend money on t-shirts at the time.
By planning ahead and buying strategically, parents can save lots of money on kids clothes in the long run. And if you remember to augment your shopping strategies by stocking up on coupons and buying discounted items, you’ll be in great shape to save on kids clothing.