As summer comes to a close, its dawning on me that the tank top with Popsicle stains, jean shorts with a permanent pile of sand in the pockets and $5 Old Navy flipflops aren’t going to work much longer. And my kids need new clothes too.
I may have Paris Hilton’s singing voice, but I certainly don’t have her bank account, so when it comes to building fall wardrobes for my little ones, I have some definite shopping rules that I go by.
- Outlet malls are my friend. The styles may be last years, but the savings can be huge. If you are on the lookout for manufacturing flaws and don’t mind taking the time to scour the racks, outlet stores such as Gap, Nike and Gymboree can be a gold mine for back to school finds.
- Search eBay for big ticket items. If I want to get my kids a higher end pair of shoes or jeans that I can’t afford to pay retail for, once I know the specific size and style, I turn to eBay to save me a buck. I’ve often found either brand new shoes or one-time wear special occasion items for half off or more.
- Create a hand-me-down hiearchy. Since I have two daughters, I know that my younger daughter’s future wardrobe is dependent on how well I take care of my older daughter’s present apparel. As a result, I invest more money in higher quality items for my older daughter, in brands and styles that I know are going to withstand the test of time. Now I just need to find a big sister in my size who likes Versace.
- Buy and sell at the consignment store. If you do your homework, you can find consignment stores that specialize in name brand kids’ clothing, like Gymboree and Gap Kids. These stores are a great place to find quality used items and also to cash in some of your own.
If you still find yourself strapped for cash still, you can always take the easy route and hint to the grandparents that their precious grandkids are short on clothes. Then, kickback with an iced tea, put up your flipflopped feet and let the spoiling commence.
