I will soon be joining your board and I wanted to ask you veteran moms about places to find cheap baby clothes. I do have a Once Upon a Child near me and I plan to check that out. I would really love some online stores that have great deals. Also, what stores in malls, etc. have the best deals?
We are on team green and so people are shying away from buying us baby clothes. So, I need to start shopping and would really love to save some money and ease my dh's worry a little.
Re: cheap baby clothes?
Not sure how you feel about this, but I see very reasonably priced clothing advertised all the time on my local Craigslist board. I haven't bought any, but I often see outfits listed for $1 or whole bags of clothes for $20 (or so).
Also, I wouldn't buy more than a couple outfits in newborn size. Chances are, you'll be spending a lot of time in the house that first month or two and they grow so quickly. I found it more practical to just keep Ben in his jammies when we were home.
you will get a lot of clothes after the baby is born- so don't worry so much in the beginning.
that being said- afterwards if you live in a bigger city- look out for consignment sales on weekends. usually they do a big one in the fall and big one in the spring.
I have found that Once Upon a Child is a little pricey for used clothes. Sleepers are usually $3.50 or $4. You can get them at rummage sales for $1-2 depending on your COL area. Sometimes you can get a great deal but don't expect to find something EXCELLENT there. I'll only pay that money for something that still has it's tags on there.
I do frequent Once Upon a Child for nice toys (Fischer Price toys that are $50 new but only $8.50 at the store) and I actually buy formula there (it's sealed and 50% off what I'd normally pay at a Target.)
I am a Carters fan so I go to their store a few times a year. It's only 20 minutes away. And check out Walmart too! They have "Just One Year" by Carter's and it's almost the same thickness/quality. I've gotten a lot of DD's outfits there too.
We have a lot of great consignment stores in my area. Even consignment stores more geared toward adult clothing usually have a kids section.
I also have bought some nice, name brand stuff at yard sales for super cheap.
Maybe the tackiest suggestion, but especially for baby clothes, you can get great stuff at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village and other thrift stores.
Little ones are only in a size for a couple of months, then they grow out of things... oftentimes things are in super, super good condition. I get Baby Gap, Gymboree, Hanna Andersson, Ralph Lauren and european botique brands at thrift stores for a dollar or two a piece. Can't beat it.
Also, check your locale for a Just Between Friends sale... it's all kids consignment ~ they're pretty huge and amazing, but don't happen everywhere:
https://www.jbfsale.com/home/
I am the 99%.
Also, once you can track your baby's growth I'd start shopping for the next year at the end of the season. For instance, DD is going to be three next July and just bought all sorts of clothes on clearance at The Children's Place outlet near my house. I spent $50 and she's almost fully outfitted. Like I said, though, you need to get a feel as to where he or she is going to be growth wise before you do this. That way you won't waste money.
Good luck and Go Team Green!!
This. I don't really do it myself, but only because my MIL does it for me! (Ok, and digging through all the stuff with a toddler in tow is almost impossible). MIL sends me a box of clothes every couple months... most of it from gymboree, carters, children's place. DD's Easter dress (very cute, from children's place) came from Value Village.
Plus, garage sales. Tons of clothes sell for just 25 cents!
Oh, and you might still get clothes. I didn't find out gender with DD and after she was born we got quite a few outfits sent to us from family and friends.
There is a store near us called Factory-2-U that has very cheap baby clothes. Now, their clothes aren't all great... some seem kind of cheap but there are a lot of "Gerber" brand and most of their onesides are 99 cents.
I would definitely check them out!
I buy everything on super clearance...
You have to sign up for stores so they can send u emails when they are having big sales.
I just spent $50 at Children's Place and got about 15 items including 3 pairs of shorts and 2 pants with lots of different tops to match... All of their items are from $2-$6 a piece..
I also hit Old Navy's huge sale ....
Baby #2 MC June 2008
Baby #3 Born April 2009
Baby #4 due date February 2015