Why are kids clothes so expensive?

dana316 · February 2012

Grrrr...I really want to get Caroline and Parker matching outfits for Easter. This is his first Easter, and Easter is a big, big deal at our house.

And of course, the outfit I want for Park is $78 plus shipping

https://www.bestdressedchild.com/jateintoboli.html

And the dress I want for Caroline is $74

https://www.bestdressedchild.com/jategiliblli.html

There isn't $152 dollars worth of linen and labor in those outfits...surely?

That annoys the crap out of me. This was so much easier when I could splurge on one kid's outfits...but now I have two that I want to splurge on, but $150 for outfits they will probably only get to wear once is just crazy.

I'm annoyed...and now, of course, I won't like whatever I actually buy for them as much as those two overpriced outfits. Of course.

Crap.

mrsolsenk12 · February 2012

Wow those are expensive! They are cute but not worth that much IMO. I guess i am cheap, i plan to get hayden a shirt from Target and the kahki pants he already has.

Mouseygail · February 2012

you should learn to sew..you know, in all your extra time Stick out tongue

but in all seriousness, if you know anyone who sews, those look like extremely simple things to make!

dusk42 · February 2012

You could pay someone to make it for you - not sure how much cheaper it would be, but at least they use the same materials. But no, since those are probably from an assembly line, the labor cost is low and so are the materials (bought in bulk). They are expensive because the company can command a huge profit margin on a fairly low-cost outfit.

steveandkim2 · February 2012

I know its not exactly the same, but zulliy (and i think totsy?) have been having some smocked items on sale. I order Colin's outfit from there. I got a smocked outfit for $35....Clearly a bit of chance on what it looks like/fit since you can't return, but may be an option?

LucyPevensie · February 2012

I am el cheapo mom in that regard - I have never splurged on clothing for Jack - we buy most of his clothes at Kohl's - some at Target - and some at Gymboree only because there is one literally about 4 minutes away from me - but I never pay full price there - only sale stuff. I have always been of the mind that they are growing SO FAST - I just can't get all spendy crazy on his clothes. Although I do get that pics last forever so a cute spendy outfit in that regard can make sense. You have to understand I eloped (in Mexico - at an amazing resort) - and spent a total of 80 bucks on my simple but lovely linen wedding dress -- so that's where I'm coming from LOL! I'm probably TOO practical in some regards.

etoyama · February 2012

Have you checked out Etsy at all? There's a TON of Easter children's clothing there. Many vendors will create custom pieces for you, too and for not much $! I agree with you though. A lot of children's clothing is pricey for what it actually is. Most of it isn't even that well made. That's why I like the handmade stuff better.

LIAngel · February 2012

After clicking on the links for the outfits and seeing the prices I went like this: Indifferent . That is crazy $78 for one outfit. I got Ava a cute Spring dress I thought would be cute for Easter at a consignment sale last week. Although who knows if it will even fit her for Easter since she is a peanut and the dress is size 12 months. She is still wearing 9 month clothes.

LIAngel · February 2012

mrsolsenk12:
Wow those are expensive! They are cute but not worth that much IMO. I guess i am cheap, i plan to get hayden a shirt from Target and the kahki pants he already has.

I'm cheap too. Before I head to the store, I'm going to see what's in Nicholas' closet. My sister has given me hand me downs from my nephew, so perhaps I'll find a nice shirt in there.

LVBlvd · February 2012

Those are cute, but I would expect a lot more for that kind of $!

I would spend that much on my kids, easily, but it would have to include the shoes, tights, and a sweater!

dana316 · February 2012

LVBlvd:

Those are cute, but I would expect a lot more for that kind of $!

I would spend that much on my kids, easily, but it would have to include the shoes, tights, and a sweater!

Exactly. I normally don't mind spending $$ for their dressy clothes...for pics, holidays, etc...but they are normally smocked, and that is a lot more involved than these simple outfits. It irks me.

I love Jack and Teddy linen...but I just refuse to pay that.

PrincessShay80 · February 2012

Get on Facebook and join the stores on there- a lot of them have pre orders with outfits just like that- the jon jons and the float dresses for girls- average price for those should be around $30-$40 each- most times they will include a monogram. If you want stuff for Easter I would get it now- I pre ordered my easter outfits last month, and they will ship out in March.

Some of my favorites are Southern Tots, Ragsland Clothing, Rock n'smock em, Posh Pickle (they have a lot of float dresses), Smocked Auctions, Smocked Beauty, and Lolly Wolly Doodle. The Little Crane Smocked Shoppe is having a sale tonight and they have a blue float dress- very similar to the one you liked.

I pay on average $40 per outfit for DD- so those prices you are seeing are on the higher side- you can definlaty find something very similar for less.

cjsbdl · February 2012

You have to bargain shop!

I shop the FB auction sites and eBay. The FB sites are perfect if you want to do matching/coordinating sibling outfits. They often offer matching dresses or bubbles and jon jons and then coordinating polos for older boys.

madhatter2003 · February 2012

This is why I don't shop on sites like that....that is INSANE.

I barely even stretch to gymboree, only on sale.

Kohls, Target, Walmart...they all have very cute stuff for $5 or less most of the time. I get smocked dresses at JCP too and got my DS's wedding outfit there after easter last year for $2. yes TWO dollars on clearance.

Seriously, I don't pay $78 for my stuff most of the time. There is NO way my kids will get clothes that expensive.

Imanurse03 · February 2012

Wow! I'm just finding out now how expensive kids clothes are. We got a closet and drawers full of clothes as gifts for Luke but I was looking at BBB yesterday and man, are clothes expensive!! I'm cheap though.

I think retailers know that people will lay down money for cute kids clothes.

naflmj · February 2012

LVBlvd:

Those are cute, but I would expect a lot more for that kind of $!

I would spend that much on my kids, easily, but it would have to include the shoes, tights, and a sweater!

All of this (well minus the tights cause that would be weird ) I have been looking at smock it to me and rock n smock em on facebook and found some good deals when they list their stuff...lots of cute sibling sets too!

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