Baby fashion: How to save money on brand
Want your baby to look super stylish? But don’t want to break the bank? Here are the best tips for saving money on brand name baby clothes.
If you have a cute baby (who doesn’t?) why not get them involved in modeling? After filming or shooting parents are usually offered the opportunity to purchase the outfits worn for half price. Sometimes, your baby can receive free clothing as payment. This way, they will always be dressed in the latest styles.
Discount department stores like Ross or Marshalls buy their stock during the season, so they offer current fashion as well. The clearance rack has the steepest discounts. These won’t be the most recent styles, but they’ll still be cute.
Check your newspaper for coupons. Department stores regularly have coupons for up to an additional 20% off your entire purchase. Buy sale and clearance items and you’ll often save over 50%!
Keep an eye out for sales offering additional discounts on clearance merchandise. Toys R Us stores that sell clothes offer great bargains during clearance sales. They were recently selling baby Levi’s for $2.50 each!
High quality manufacturers like Carter’s and Osh Kosh B’Gosh usually have stores in outlet malls. Get on the mailing or email list for the mall so you will be notified of big events like sidewalk sales.
Buying ahead can save you money and time. When you find a good sale, especially on clothing items that don’t change much from season to season, like jeans, you should stock up. An under-bed box works great for storage.
Even though it’s nicer to be able to see and check clothing for damage before you purchase it, you can find good deals on-line. Type “discount name brand baby clothes” into your search engine. The Babies R Us website has a clearance section with clothing by Guess and Adidas for 50% off or more. Check out ebay if you don’t mind used clothing.
The best option when purchasing used baby clothing are stores that offer “gently used” apparel. The Children’s Orchard shops in Southern California buy and sell clothing and only take in clothes that are in good shape.
Thrift stores and garage sales are other places where you can find great bargains on used clothes, but you’ll need to make sure zippers and snaps work and no buttons are missing. To find the nicest clothing, visit thrift stores and garage sales in the more affluent areas near you.
Hopefully, you are blessed with friends and family who have great taste and children a little older than yours. Hand-me-downs can be another great way to keep your child dressed in style. You can even start a clothing exchange with other parents you meet at daycare or in playgroups.
Finally, go for quality rather than quantity. Having drawers full of clothes that don’t get worn is a waste of money. Shoot for ten, at most fourteen, outfits (mix and match!) and you will have a well-dressed baby with a manageable wardrobe.
