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School-Aged Children
heyitsme
member
Where do you shop for your school-aged girl.
heyitsme
member
DD is 8, and has NO interest in clothing whatsoever for the most part. So I am the primary shopper for her. Now that she's in a size 8 I find myself pretty much hating my choice options. She used to wear tons of Jumping Beans (Kohl's) stuff but the sizing ends at 7. I'm not digging the day-glo, the ruffles, or the glitter. I prefer more tasteful, basic stuff.
Right now she has french terry pants and leggings for bottoms, a handful of tunic tops and t-shirts, and a bunch of solid-colored long-sleeves. We tend to layer because it's cold in the morning but warm during the day.
I feel like I'm perusing the racks of so many places, and also eBay, and coming up with next to nothing. I'm trying to find knit dresses especially. You know, play dresses? Gymboree used to sell them, as does Hanna Andersson, but I haven't seen them as much lately at prices I can afford.
I wish she'd give me more input on what she likes/doesn't like. Other friends say they WISH their kid didn't care... but I feel like I'm dressing her like a mini-me sometimes. And I'm nothing to write home about LOL.
Mom to J (10), L (4), and baby #3 arriving in July of 2015
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Re: Where do you shop for your school-aged girl.
LL Bean has some nice knit dresses. Old Navy Store for knit dresses has been hit and miss for us but I do tend to find them on their website. I do like mini Boden and Hannah Andersson but like you said, pricey. Have you tried the slightly older girls stores like Justice, etc.?
OMG! I hear ya!
My DD isn't exactly a tomboy, but she's not really into girly stuff either. She has really just started getting into clothes a little more in the past year. Here is a list of stuff she won't wear:
plaid, stripes that are too large, floral patterns that are too bright, other patterns that are too wild, anything with writing on the butt, anything with animal print, anything with peace signs, anything with glitter, anything pink, anything camo. Polka dots and patterns involving fruit are iffy. Tie die needs to be subtle and not too bright. Pants can't have cargo pockets or too many decorative zippers. Pants cannot have rhinestones.
If an adult had a similar list, it would be fine. But it's really hard to find girl's clothes that don't involve any of these things.
Basically, we have to look at a lot of clothing racks in each store to find stuff that's more classic. Here are some stores where I've had good luck, from cheaper to more pricey:
Target
Kohl's (although you have to really work through the racks to avoid trashy stuff)
JCPenney (always reliable)
Children's Place
Justice (I know -- seems over the top sparkly, but when we look on the racks we always find a few things that are more classic. Good sales, too.)
Land's End at Sears (very classic and preppy, very good quality, but pricey -- good sales online, always carries knit dresses!)
L.L. Bean
Our best bet from about age 8 to 11 was Land's End. I was not working for part of that time, and I had to shop very carefully, keeping an eye on sales. Both Grandmas also liked to shop at this store. Now she's too big/mature for their kid's clothes. Fortunately the Juniors department has a bigger selection. She finally wears a size 1 in jeans!
We consignment shop a lot. Also, Children's Place, Gap, Old Navy, Macy's, JCP. I buy a lot of bulk sales on eBay as well, so like wholesale lots of Gymboree (works out to $8/pc shipped to Canada, super cheap for here). A lot of consignment shop fins are usually higher end things like Neiman Marcus would carry, along with Triple Flip, Guess, Zara, Hilfiger, etc. whatever fits their style and doesnt Look adult.
Kohls - Sonoma brand is for older kids. Sometimes I can find things that are okay.
Target - I just generally do the basic sweats and t-shirts. She's started to refuse to wear jeans.
We love Oshkosh. DD1 is a size 7/8 for length and a size 4/5 for waist, and Oshkosh is one of the few that fits well. They actually have some cute tunic and leggings combos out for spring.
The Childrens Place has some cute tops that are age appropriate. Old Navy sometimes has some cute things.... Crazy 8 is hit or miss. Gymboree fits too wide for us.
I *think* that's basically where I shop now.
Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
Target. I know some people who will turn up their noses at the idea of buying clothes from Target, but for kids it is awesome. Everything is inexpensive and there are always collections that are fully intermixable. For your kid's age group there are tons of options, from tastefully understated to flamboyant. If the Target in your area isn't that great then go online to see their selection. There is just sooo much to choose from. My girl is really outgoing and dramatic and loves the fluorescent lace sequined stuff, but I can also find her nice stuff that isn't so loud and tons of what I consider disposable clothes (play clothes).
I have friends who bought her a bunch of gifts from Kitson and it horrified me to look at the tags. $80 for a tshirt for a kid? No f-ing way. They grow, they play, they have no consideration for their clothes.