OT: Where do you shop for your kids clothes?

I. Am. Cheap. Goodwill. Deseret Industries. Salvation Army. Savers. Consignments. The only thing we buy new around here is Underpants, socks and sometimes, jeans - because Jer is so tall and thin he's hard to shop for. I live in an area where shopping at those types of places is 'score city' - I typically walk away with mostly name brands for a fraction of the cost. Like, the shorts he is wearing today (Cream colored cords, cute, stylish) I got them for a couple of bucks at Savers - they're Ralph Lauren. Its easier for me to shop for him there because he's in Men's sizes - kids clothes are SO picked over! I can sometimes find something for myself as well. It's a great way to make the dollar go a little further, especially in light of todays joke of an economy. (I also shopped for M there, when she lived with me over the winter.)

At this point I don't think Ty needs anything till at least size 2T. Whenever anyone posts boys clothes, I just send and e-mail and say, well he's not wearing that size yet, but if no one else needs it for a child now, we're HAPPY to pack it away till it fits him! I scored a jumbo size diaper box and trash bag from a lady with TWIN boys. Only maybe 2 outfits were duplicated, all the rest were coordinating outfit (like one with a giraffe and one with a zerba or whatever) it was all gymboree, and Talbots and Gap. It had to have been 6K worth of clothes. I was peeing my pants. It's all too big for now, but he is going to be STYLING at 24 months, and 2T :) I also hit the outlets. I got him 30 sweaters, polo shirts, and button down shirts for $32 at the end of the winter. I bought in size 12 months to 5T. We have a bin for each and when I go buy (or score off freecycle) I just go right up and sort it into the right bin. That stuff, combined with the insane amount of clothing he gets given, we don't "need" to buy much, but what Momma can resist? Seriously though, check out freecycle. I got him a bunch of toys on there too. You can check Yahoo Groups and find one near you. As far as brands...I like the stuff that holds up and is practical for everyday use. He has some nice stuff, but a boy can only wear so many pairs of plaid pleated pants with matching hats, and then his cousins (the GIRLS) start beating him up...Wait....that already happens :/ The one brand that I ONLY buy on sale for really cheap is Children's Place. I was a Nanny for a long time, and that stuff falls a part. Gap stuff wears well, but I only snag that on sale too. I also shop at a local Drop and Shop. Women all consign items, and then it's like a Giant Yard sale. I get great brand names on the cheap :)

As a matter of conscience, we buy all our clothes used, too except for undies and socks. I shop at yard sales. My kids wear top brands and I pay very little for their clothes. My friends and I share clothes, toys, books and pretty much everything else. I look for stuff on Craig's List, too.As for favorite brands, I prefer Carter's pajamas over anything else. I also like The Children's Place for my older daughter because they fit her very well.I'm glad I'm not the only one into recycling!

What's your favorite store(s) Why? Thrift Store!!! Because my kids are growing so fast, it just doesn't make sense to buy at full price. What's your favorite brand (s) Nike, Gap. Which clothes are the best quality? IMO...if they make it to the thrift store in great shape, then that is a good brand. haha Do you shop online? Any hidden treasures? Again, thrift store is my hidden treasure. Where do you shop for shoes? Shoe Carnival. Before you guys think that I neglect my kids...haha...seriously...SHOP THE THRIFT STORES! I have outfitted my kids in Nike, Adidas, Old Navy, Abercrombie, Tommy...and pay a FRACTION of the cost of buying new. I am picky...if it looks used, I will not buy it. Case and point, I bought my son 6 shirts, 3 Nikes, 2 Adidas, and 1 Eskimo Joes, and 3 pairs of pants...Union Bay, Levi, and Guess. Guess how much I spent? $19.86 AFTER tax. Of course, they get one or 2 brand new outfits at the start of the school year, and their basketball shoes are always name brand and new...but the thrift store and Wal-Mart clearance make total sense if you have growing kids.

What's your favorite store(s) Why? I shop only online b/c our town is small and has no good children's stores. Sooooo, I love Naartjie (naartjie.com) and Gap online (altho we do have a tiny Gap in town). What's your favorite brand (s) -- Naartjie, Gap and Baby Lulu (Stride Rite for shoes) Which clothes are the best quality? These three companies -- although Naartjie runs big, Baby Lulu runs small and Gap is pretty close. Do you shop online? Any hidden treasures? -- Absolutely, these three stores and any of these brands on ebay, for sure. Where do you shop for shoes? Zappos and Ebay -- and any Stride Rite store I'm a picky shopper and but don't ever mind pre-owned things but do love children's fashions -- I really do love shopping for each child and don't mind confessing that. My three all have their own styles -- even my 2 year old is starting to have real opinions about what she wears, although she still is somewhat easy to convince! She loves dresses and leggings, my favorite -- and shoes, ahhhh, she loves shoes, he he. susan

Recently I have been having great success getting name brands in excellent condition at our local thrift stores. I only buy clothing that is half price (they use colored tags and each week some of the colors are half price) so I normally pay $1.50 per piece or less. They have GAP, OshKosh, Old Navy, Levi, etc. I do live in a huge city so that is why I think I can find such good buys at thrift stores. I won't buy it unless it pretty much looks new. I found a brand new pair (with tag still in them) size 2T GAP swim trunks recently and what looked like brand new OshKosh trunks as well. At these prices I can even buy ahead the next size for the boys. I mainly buy jeans, shorts, pull over shirts and button up shirts. Haven't purchased coats or socks or hats or anything like that there. Tunay

Summer is easy, shorts and t-shirts from Wal-Mart. The one area I don't go cheap on is shoes. TJ is hard to fit and doesn't like to wear shoes. I get his from Pedipeds. They are simply the best! He doesn't even know he has them on. I get them online at pedipeds.com.

When DD was younger, I was literally INSANE. I would buy her all these designer clothes online (but I always tried to get them on clearance). My favorite online site is forgetmenotkids.com. (My favorite brands were Baby Nay, Cache Cache and Zackali). Oh one other site that is awesome that has handmade, really funky clothes is bercotchildrenswear.com. Since she just started preschool and gets trashed every day, I have bought her tons of play clothes at Target and Kohls. I also am proudly accepting hand me downs. I also shop at a consignment store that has a lot of nice stuff cheap. I like Gymboree's quality. I like the Gap too. I try to get her stride rite shoes at Marshalls since they are a lot cheaper there. I like Target's kids shoes too. I still "splurge" sometimes and get DD something nice for a special occasion, like her birthday.

What's your favorite store(s) Why? I find some of the cutest outfits at TJ Maxx--I'm a bargain shopper and they have great buys! Baby Gap has some cute things, but more on the expensive side. I've found a couple of cute things at consignment stores too. What's your favorite brand (s)--I don't pay too much attention to labels but I should so that I know what to buy and what not to buy. I mostly buy what's cute, seems to be good quality and inexpensive. Which clothes are the best quality? I'm not sure Do you shop online? Any hidden treasures? I haven't shopped for baby clothes on-line. I prefer seeing them in person, although some things I'd consider buying on-line would be onesie t-shirts, socks, etc. Where do you shop for shoes? Our son is almost five months and hasn't worn shoes yet. Socks are his shoes for now. I bought shoes early on (because they were too cute to pass up) but he outgrew them before he ever wore them so I figured I'll wait on buying shoes as long as he can get away without wearing them.

I just checked those two site out...and LOVE them! They are now both officially added to my favorites! Thanks for sharing :) My favorite online site is forgetmenotkids.com. (My favorite brands were Baby Nay, Cache Cache and Zackali). Oh one other site that is awesome that has handmade, really funky clothes is bercotchildrenswear.com.

Julie, forgetmenotkids has a lot of stuff on clearance all the time. And if you sign up with them, you usually get an email about the "special of the day" which sometimes can be a lot off....(Shoot...I have really been "good" lately, and now I want to look....hahahahah!).

I love GYMBOREE and Ralph Lauren, both wash pretty well and last through children. I also love a new store but can only shop online as we don't have one in the area, it is a sub company of gymboree and they have sales for 2.99 and less and free shipping often! Crazy8.com

Mommie, if you like Ralph Lauren, Marshalls and TJ Maxx usually have a ton of it for kids. I like it too! (and sometimes can get it on clearance). The only thing about RL is that the sizes are SO SMALL (at least on DD). Like right now even though normally she wears 4T tops, I think I would get her a 6 in RL. Had no idea bout crazy8...great info (uh oh, this thread is dangerous!).

What's your favorite brand (s) Hand me downs from friends, Clearance racks first, Childrens Place, Gymmboree Which clothes are the best quality? I like Carters.. they have been good Do you shop online? Oh yes, Ebay lots. Cafepress for silly shirts.....& Robeez Any hidden treasures? Consignment sales that come to town and bring great treasures to buy annually... Where do you shop for shoes? Babies R Us & Robeez

Denice- Were you able to check out the site??