Shopping for baby/deals on clothes

Lindss1209 · August 2014

Was just wondering what everyone else does...when you shop for baby...do you take advantage of deals on clothes for next year? For example, I just looked at Carter's clearance and saw that lots of their shorts and short sleeve shirts for summer are on clearance and if I got 18 mo size, they would fit my LO when summer comes. I put an order together and have 7 shirts, 7 shorts, a hoodie, bucket hat and flip flops for $170. I feel like if I try to do a similar order like that next spring, I'll only get about half the clothing. It's certainly a good deal, but because I haven't worked since April (I'm a teacher and start again in 3 weeks) were a bit broke...just wondered if anyone else "shops ahead". Thanks! Suggestions appreciated!!

SoulTermination · August 2014

I shop at Goodwill, Once Upon A Child, and yard/rummage sales mostly. It's a rare treat when A gets something that's truly new. =/

ETA: that didn't really answer your question, lol. Yes, I do shop ahead as much as possible. She's already wearing mostly 9mo clothes, so I snagged some 12/18mo clothes for winter during a clearance sale at OUAC.

AmberLiz99 · August 2014

I usually buy 1-2 sizes ahead because you never know for sure what rate they will grow at and what season it will be when they reach a new size. You can end up saving a lot, or with clothes they never get to use.

But I'm an oddity too, I don't even pay that much for my kids clothes, not while they're so little. I shop used clothes or blowout sales, $5 is my max for any one item (usually $1-3) unless it's a coat or for something special

*sparky* · August 2014

I don't buy that far ahead because it's hard to say if the clothes will fit in the right season or not. DD is not even 4 months, was 7 lbs when she came home from the hospital and is already in 9 month clothing. By next spring who knows what size she will be. Once they are older and sizes are by year, then it is easier to buy ahead.

Manda+panda · August 2014

I consignment store shop. The only two new things I bought her were 3 dresses on clearance from Babies R Us, and even then I only spent $15.

But, because I consign, I don't buy ahead. I take her clothes in, get credit and get more when she needs them.

She ends up with lots of super cute clothes, and keeps my bank account happy.

Jessimax · August 2014

I've been burned a few times with sizing (bought a really nice snow suite for DS on clearance the year before but he outgrew it by december) so I don't but a lot ahead. Most of my kids clothes are hand me down or thrift store stuff though.

cjpell0 · August 2014

I don't buy a ton ahead but if I do, I try to at least go a little over. So right now LO is 4.5 months wearing size 6. So for Spring/Summer I'm buying size 18 but I've also only bought a few things here and there. I figure onesies he can always throw a sweat shirt over if it's too cold. Jeans he can wear for like 8 out of 12 months, etc. I'll hold off on buying things like bathing suits until I actually know what size he'll need.

strawberrytree · August 2014

I buy a season ahead combining clearance with a coupon and most of the time it works out cheaper than buying secondhand (I got a bunch of shorts for 67c at Old Navy and 74c at Children's Place this past winter). Children's Place and Old Navy send out emails with coupons usually for an additional 20% off so when you use that on a clearance price it's a good deal. When Target marks down to 70% off I get that too. I don't get everything this way but I get at least half his wardrobe ahead of time and then fill in the gaps with consignment sales.

mbethmcgill · August 2014

I'm a consignment shopper too. I can't justify spending the money when they grow so fast. I also have been fortunate and been given a lot of clothes. This is boy #3 for us so lots of hand me downs.

Kyllarae · August 2014

I don't buy ahead either and at the rate she's growing I wouldn't even bother trying. She could have easily skipped the 6 month size onesies because of a growth spurt. They only fit her well for like two weeks before they started getting short.

AcaAwkward · August 2014

I never buy that far ahead (as in, a full year in advance) unless it's a RIDICULOUSLY good deal (like, $10 for a $70 smocked dress on Zulily or second-hand) -- there's just no way of knowing it will fit properly or not. The furthest I buy is the next season ahead.

And I'm with LaLa on this one -- 17 items for $170 is not a great deal at Carters. I always buy Carters 40-60% off + a coupon (either $ off a certain purchase amount or 20-25% off).

And flip flops for any aged toddler is just asking for slip-n-fall accidents!

knotty-girl · August 2014

I also only buy 1-2 sizes/1 season ahead (aside from a few "adorbs-had-to-have-it" pieces I bought before he was born.). We don't really have season in Southern California, although Jack did receive some small size sweaters and footie pajamas he never got to wear. My MIL will buy a ton of clothes and then he doesn't get to wear everything before he grows out of it. I try to separate out all my favorite pieces in a bin separate from the organized by sized stuff to make sure he doesn't miss out on those outfits.

I prefer to buy as he grows. I personally think you save more money this way even if things aren't sale or clearance priced because you aren't wasting money on stuff they'll miss out on wearing due to growth spurts and off season sizing issues.

Dixon813 · August 2014

I will buy that far ahead for my stepson (he's 7) because he's much more predictable. For Liam, he was 8.10 at birth and now at 4 months is only 12.6 and just starting to wear 3-6mo clothes. I've stocked up on 6-9mo clothes already and some 9-12 but am afraid to go past that because I have no idea how quickly he will or won't grow.

That being said, I am totally a clearance shopper at any store for the whole family!

MamaFantastic · August 2014

tooootally! because i'm such a sale shopper, i can't help myself if i see bigger clothing on a clearance rack. T has probably half of her wardrobe already purchased all the way up to 2T already. kiddo already has his entire winter wardrobe ready to go, and it's been that way since last winter. it's such a smart way to shop. i highly recommend buying ahead!

pineconey · August 2014

I "bought ahead" via consignment shopping. Traded in some of 84267863 DS's 3-6mo onesies for a few things in 9mo+ sizes. It's worth it to me to exchange 4 onesies he will never wear (some were handed down and not our style) for 1 thing he will wear.

Jenn06L80 · August 2014

I buy ahead at times but my girls also have lots of hand me downs from their older sister. As for your Carter's stuff I would search online for a 20% off coupon code to see if you can get additional money off.

lokimau · August 2014

Only buying the next size up unless it is something really cool. Hard to predict what size DD will wear. 15 weeks and still in 0-3 months. Her 3-6 are huge on her.

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