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Buying children's clothes - styling tips for these? Pics added

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Edited post: - I posted below and that helped me get started with choosing some new clothes for 4yo DD. I've realised, though, that I am not thinking through what we've already got and I'll end up with more wardrobe orphans! Does anyone have any styling suggestions for these? I'm thinking about buying things to go with them.

#1 and #2 are the same dress. It's reversible, and DD inevitably likes the side that has fairies all over it. Sigh. It's cord and quite hard wearing, though.
#3 is velvet cord
#4 and #5 are denim

Original post below:
I have suddenly realised that DD4 has hardly any clothes that fit her and the ones that she does have don't go together at all.

Do any of you have a shopping strategy for how many things/what you buy in these situations - I keep making dreadful spur of the moment decisions that I regret! It also seems crazy to spend lots of money on something she'll only wear for a year or so, but at the same time she has had some lovely quality items passed on to her that are just so much nicer all round. DD mostly wears dresses and skirts.

Any thoughts gratefully received...

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Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Polly (thunalata)

Louise

Veteran

For times when she's out playing or at nursery I'd keep them cheap and cheerful Primark have some great stuff, I hate it when parents come into childcare and ask for us to keep their kid clean because they have their best clothes on!!!! (what no painting or mud pies!!!) x

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Thanks Louise! I feel a bit lame for posting this at all as you'd think I would know what I was doing after 6 years of shopping for children. Agree totally about play clothes and have never been into Primark so that's one to try. It's sometimes just a struggle to persuade a 4yo that a party dress is not suitable for playing with the dog in a very muddy garden...

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

You could always try looking on Ebay. I have bought some lovely baby clothes - almost all New with Tags for a fraction of the cost of what it would cost me to buy them in the shops. One of my particular favourites (for bright colours - what is with the pastel only policy for babies!) is a Scandinavian brand called Polarn y Pryet.

I guess with strong willed pre-schoolers sometimes you have to go with the flow! Just before Christmas, DH and I were shopping at a market and were amused by a little girl in party dress - accessorised with Fairy Wings and Wellies adjusting her two handbags to mimic her mother...

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Ha Ha - lovely image! Will get onto ebay too.

Cilleena

Veteran

I usually shop Old Navy online and some Gap, when they are on sale and having discounts for my kids. Target has some cute clothes and shoes. I think almost all of my 3 year old's play shoes are from Target. Oh, and Kohl's has tons and tons of cute things. They have a lot of sales and things are frequently nicer items for 50% off. I get tights from Wal-mart and they hold up very nicely. For higher end stuff like Gymboree and Matilda Jane, I go to Facebook and shop their consignments. If you type in a search for those names you will get the Gymboree consignment stores, and Matilda Jane consignment.

For a strategy, l am going to assume the items you posted are the main pieces you will have in her wardrobe. I don't know what your weather is like, so I'll just use mine. It's cold here until well into May. So, I would definitely get some tights, I'm thinking at least 3 pairs, white/cream, pink, and gray. Get some basic layering tops too. I love the solid Tees from Old Navy, really soft and nice quality. Basic colors, white, cream and pink. I have 2 of each basic color. Also, Old Navy and Gap has cute graphic tees too, pick up at least 2 or 3 of those, they will be cute with the denim skirt and the blazer over top of them. You can add another cute skirt from ON, a pair of skinny jeans (they are not that tight from ON and really comfy), and a couple pairs of leggings. ON has awesome hoodie jackets too (1 or 2 of those). I stay away from cardi and such because my daughter is rough on her clothes (playdough, paint, markers,etc.) and they don't hold up as well to frequent washings.Can you tell I'm an ON and Gap fan? They are just so awesome for my kids. I have 4 kids and I wait for a sale and shop for all 4 of them online. I have a Gap card and earn reward points for their stuff. I like Gap stuff for me too, so it's a bonus. For accessories, I'd go to Wal-mart and get some cute bracelets and hair clips. You may want a couple of fancy party type dresses too and I'd go to Kohl's for those. Shoes, a pair of boots from Target, and maybe some "fun" shoes. I get Mary Janes and sneakers from Zappos in nice brands like SeeKaiRun and Pediped, but if I had a Stride rite I'd go there because you want a good fit. Once you have your basics, I'd look at the Gymbo and Matilda Jane or whatever other fancy name you like, maybe Hanna Anderson and get to the facebook consignments for a couple of dress/legging sets or dresses to add to the mix. Ok, so I've written you a book on how I shop for my kids, mostly my 2 little ones. I hope it helps a little, it's just how I do it.

Louise

Veteran

Polly that sounds like a good reason to buy cheapo Primark party dresses and save on the argumant LOL. We had one child turn up in wellies and fairy outfit once she really did look adorable x

ETA just read Fi had the same experience x

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Ha ha Louise.

Cilleena, such a helpful post! Gave me so many ideas and great to know that people have things so organised. I'm in the UK so can't get all of the ones you suggested but have had a good try - Gap is thoroughly cleaned out already, though!

I still need to get to Primark. Have just been out sale shopping and bought an adorable red tweedy dress that is half wool but goes in the washing machine. Also a sweet summer dress. These both from Monsoon so on the pricey side but good as special dresses.

More usefully I went into Zara and found some turtle necks in solid colours and one graphic tee. Will use these under and on top of the things that I already have. I also bought leggings for the first time for DD.

Thanks so much for your help. I have far more ideas about how to make things work from now on. Cilleena - I am in awe! You clearly have very sensibly dressed, stylish kids!

Velma

Veteran

Have you tried secondhand or consignment for filling in the gaps? My dd (7yo) dearly loves to go to the secondhand store, because she can have--just about--anything that strikes her fancy.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Velma - great idea. I've tried that a bit, but I think it's ended up too 'bitty' - I needed to get hold of what I was buying a bit more so that then anything extra could contribute to DD's wardrobe rather than being an orphan. It feels more organised now, though.

Cilleena

Veteran

Thunalata- Thanks. I mostly shop the Gap and ON online. Will they not ship to the UK? I'm completely clueless on this. I just mention it because the new line of Gap kids stuff is really cute, I'm talking online again.

If I could get my own clothes a little more stylish, I'd be all set. Problem is, everything looks good on kids, especially the little ones.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Gap sells in the UK and after your recommendation I'll look there more. I went in a local store today to check the sale but the range was limited - everyone else had got there first! I don't think ON does but I'll keep checking.

And it looks as if you're well on your way to a stylish new you - look forward to seeing more!

Louise

Veteran

Oooo had another thought, some of the supermarkets sell reasonably priced kiddies clothes too x

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Good point! Again, now I've managed to have a bit better idea of what I'm actually looking for (it's been a bit hit and miss before) I'll do better there. I've been spoilt, though. When DD was born I was passed on lots of designer clothes by a very stylish friend who'd had a girl after two boys and went mad on the shopping. We're just at the end of all of this, which is why I'm suddenly struggling!

Anonymous

They're all so darling. One look I love with little girls is dresses worn over jeans or straight legged pants. That's all I have to offer, but I sure wouldn't mind that cute jacket in my size.

Melody

My strategy is to mix and match items at different price points for the kiddos (and myself too!) I pick up undies, tights, and layering knits from discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target. I stay away from patterned knits from discount stores because they fade pretty quickly. Then I pick up fleece, sweaters, and denim from mid-priced department stores like Kohl's, JCPenney, and Old Navy. And finally I check out stores on-line like Tea Collection, Mini Boden, and Hanna Andersson during big sales for nicer dresses and sweaters. Hanna Andersson is the only clothing I've found that has fit my kids over multiple years/seasons and the quality is great ... very soft, resists fading and shrinking.

We have leggings in lt pink, dark pink, navy, gray, and brown and wear them in endless combinations with tunic tops/sweaters and dresses. And because we pair them with boots (from Target, fake Uggs), if the leggings are a little short from last year, no one would ever know it.

I have a special e-mail address for registering at on-line stores and keep an eye out for sales. And I shop through Ebates as much as possible because it all adds up and you get cash back.

And we make it known to family that we would like to limit toys as gifts (as we're drowning in toys) and go for clothing, pajamas, and books instead.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

lol@Loves Moose. Me too!

@Melody - I knew there must be people out there who have a strategy that works. I love the way you have three levels of clothing quality - I think I was heading towards that but it's much easier when you specifically go for that. What both you and Cilleena do (that I haven't - yet!) is to have clearly in your mind the basics that you have in stock (Cilleena - two of each basic colour tops, you those colour leggings you mention) that everything else goes on top of. I've been thinking 'must have some kind of bottoms, some kind of tops, what shall I get oh that looks nice/is cheap I'll have that' etc.

Thanks again! YLF members never disappoint!