Any strategy for keeping kid's clothes under control? - YouLookFab Forum

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Any strategy for keeping kid's clothes under control?

AviaMariah

Veteran

My 8 month old has an embarrassing amount of clothing. For starters she was gifted enough when she was born to clothe triplet girls. And of course I was not going to be denied the joy of buying her clothing just because she had enough. (Aside - children's clothing stores are wicked....they just suck me in, numb my brain with their cuteness and I start spending like I'm trying to clothe a third world nation.) So besides not going crazy buying, does anyone have any good strategies about buying, storing, saving etc.

One thing I have learned is not to buy ahead. Since she's small she has not grown into clothing when I predicted so has had many outfits that have gone unworn.

Thanks for your thoughts!

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18 replies

Latest reply was from flowergirl

Sara L.

Veteran

Tough question - I also have huge amounts of clothes for my kids. I rarely buy them clothes either - I just get lots of hand-me-downs. I keep them in plastic bins labeled by size until they are the right size and then I fill up their drawers. If there are too many clothes for the drawer than I only pull out the ones I like the best or seem to be in the best shape. I avoid temptation by avoiding children's clothing stores. I know I have enough and buying more is just overkill.

Anonymous

I bought V a couple "boys" shirts to offset the pink mountain of hand-me-downs but in general I do what Sara does.

I actually hate shopping for the kids, and I was the mother who kept her babies in onesies/sleepers until they were a year old. Dressing babies in tiny replicas of adult clothing seems so exhausting and fiddly to me.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Ceit - all her cute outfits hang in the closet mostly unworn because I also tend to put her in the sleepers or legging outfits. So that's also lesson #2 for me. But people seriously love buying the "adult" clothes because they look so cute on the hangers.

Glory

Veteran

I got rid of the dressers and put full shelving into the closets with one section left for hanging items. On the top I had clear plastic bins with the next possible items.
I had one large bin in the bottom of the closet for donation.
I still use this system pretty much as is for my daughters.
The only adjustment is that I have labelled the shelving and I remove the non seasonal items into the above bins as we no longer get handmedowns.
I also added several smaller bins to sit on the shelves: underwear, socks, bras.

MNsara

Veteran

Sort, or hang, by size (using size labels AND common visual sense ;-))

For closet, you can get those rod dividers to feel uber organized.
http://www.containerstore.com/.....d+dividers+

For folded clothes, put one size/season in a bag, label the bag, and store multiple bags in plastic tub.

While in use, I put matching tops w bottoms together in the dresser drawer. That way even DH could dress them presentably. I set my limit at 21 outfits at a time. They were small enough to fit in 1-2 drawers, and meant we could go through 2-3 outfits/day and still be okay for a week

Also, don't be afraid to move into the next size. Often I waited until they had really outgrown current size before moving on up. (Why?) I can see keeping a favorite outfit in rotation, and retiring the rest of that size.

Kids clothing has gotten SO incredibly cute that I'm really grateful I'm no longer even in those stores!!!!

ironkurtin

Veteran

We never had tons of stuff, I just did a lot of laundry. However I did buy ahead when things went on sale, because I could anticipate that yes, she will need socks or tshirts or whatever.

I swore by Hanna Andersson, they have amazing quality and the stuff wears like iron. My kid has worn some HAs ever day and when I passed them on, they were like new. They're also designed to be forgiving in size.

https://www.hannaandersson.com/

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I did more or less what Ceit does. I sorted it every season, and twice a season in the big growing phases. I also did some buying in advance because after a certain point I could guess what she would need and what approximate size she would be. We had some Hanna Anderson stuff, too. And some Gymboree. I also got some stuff donated by friends, and then I would donate in turn.

I didn't keep donated stuff that I knew we wouldn't use. I re-gifted it to others in need. We do a lot of laundry and just didn't need too much.

In my buying, I went for practical. I figured people would give us the really cute stuff, which to some degree happened. And then my daughter was a tomboy and wouldn't wear anything girly from a very early age. So I just went along with her preferences.

Anonymous

You may just have too many clothes for her. Sorry, but it happens! If you can't fit everything comfortably into her dresser and closet and you are working out of the clothes basket, this is a sure sign! Flylady has some excellent guidelines on exactly how many outfits your child needs. I'll go hunt on her site and see if I can find the page.

I used to buy ahead too, until DD got to be about four and developed a distinctly different taste in clothing than me! She refused to wear anything muted (sad colors) hated fancy dresses that Grandma made her (too scratchy) would not wear jeans (too stiff). She was a real leggings and soft knit tops kind of girl. Then one day she loved jeans. But IDK when that happened.

ETA Okay, I've been cruising her site http://www.flylady.net (really good for home organization, cleaning, etc.) but cannot find the article. It was something like two weeks' worth of outfits plus two special occasion outifts, including sleeping clothes and a swim suit or two. The good news is that they need fewer outfits per day as they get older. Well, usually!

elpgal

Veteran

I satisfy all my minimalist fantasies through my son's wardrobe.

We have very few clothes for my 1 year old - 4 sets of PJs, 7 pairs of socks, 10 Tshirts, 5 pants, 5 pairs of shorts, 5 shortalls (sleeved and sleeveless) and two sweatshirts. He has 2 pairs of pants (1 pair of jeans and a pair of khakis) that pair with two buttondowns. These are recent acquisitions for a formal wedding. He has several sets of Indian clothing (kurta-pyjama sets) sent by his doting grandparents but they are odd-sized and scratchy so we almost never use them. I ask the babysitter to do laundry only when she is running out of clothes, so all clothes get equal use.He goes through atleast two outfit changes per day and we use the PJs for 2 days in a row unless they get soiled.

We buy mostly Carters and Baby Gap and these last 3-4 months till he outgrows them. As the clothes get outgrown, I pack them up into a labeled diaper carton and they go into storage for a potential second child.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Ack! Bag on head, don't even get me started. My kids have way too many clothes. I can't help it, there is some really cute stuff out there! Especially for girls. My one regret about having a second boy is that DD's clothes will not get to be re-used on the baby. I even tried passing on a bunch of her 2T clothes and shoes to my niece, but they returned about half of it saying "Thanks, but this is way too many clothes for her." Yikes! And my latest obsession is dressing all three kids in matching clothes. Like I'll buy a hoodie in 6-12 months, 3T and 5T for the three of them, figuring that DS1 and DS2 will still be able to use the larger sizes and match in a couple of years. I do that with pajamas too.

So I'm definitely not one to give advice on how to limit clothing. But one thing I do find that helps, is to limit myself to buying mostly from one or two places. I used to buy from Gymboree, Target, Hanna, Gap, H&M, Babies R Us & all kinds of places, but now I try to stick to mostly Tea Collection when they have their sales twice a year. I'll buy several outfits and/or a set, and that way all her clothes match with one color scheme and she can pick her own outfits to mix and match. I still have way too many clothes for them though! She's so petite she fits into her clothes for a whole year, so I have all this 4T stuff that still fits her but I also have a bunch of 5T clothes that I bought recently and she's wearing both. Her drawers are way overstuffed! Good luck and I'll be watching this thread for tips!

ETA: For storage I use those giant Ziploc bags and Space Bags and sort by size. Most of the outgrown clothes (and DS's old clothes that are going to be used for DS2) are under their beds in plastic bags.

AviaMariah

Veteran

There are some really great ideas that I'll have to read some more. Clearlyclaire - she DOES have too many clothes and I'm just going to have to pass some on. It makes me feel guilty since many of them were gifts but....what are you going to do? Goldenpig, I'm glad I'm not the only one! I won't totally deprive myself from going overboard. I waited 14 yrs for this one and she might be my only - at least that's my excuse!! But I do want to eliminate the feeling of craziness when I look at her closet.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I am guilty of overbuying and not only because I don't like to do laundry, but I love to shop! I am a sale shopper so I do buy ahead on anything non-seasonal or from LandsEnd, LL Bean or Hanna Andersson (unlimited time on returns). Both DC have Elfa closet systems and I have a bin for "Next Size" and "Outgrown" in each. I have a storage closet in my basement for storing next season items in large CLEAR tubs. With my son I saved just about everything for #2. When I found out it was a girl I consigned or donated anything too gender specific although her favorite shirts are the tie dyes she inherited from him). I volunteer and consign at a twice yearly kids consignment sale so I can "upcycle" by selling outgrown and buying new. The amount of unused items in the infant sizes is testament to what you are describing - everyone loves to gift cute baby clothes and most don't pay attention to size, climate, comfort and ease for parents (why would anything button down the back on a baby???) I would recommend you establish some kind of system and stick with it. Like others I do a seasonal go through of everything. I have bins for "give to niece", fall/winter consign and spring/summer consign.

ETA: Enjoy your freedom while you can. At 2 my DD started to express her opinions on what she would and would not wear. She has refused to wear any item of clothing with a button (functional or not) on it since then. Sometimes it's just a "will not wear that" and no reason given. My son wears whatever I buy him, but I know his preferences.

MNsara

Veteran

Haha, Jean's comment reminded me that my strong-willed daughter absolutely refused to wear the adorable European mary janes I had gotten her for the Easter she was 22 months.

It was all downhill from there. As a 3-y.o. all she would wear was hanna andersson. Thankfully I like hanna andersson, so we slowly let go of things (donated, gave to friends, etc.) that were pointless. Her absolute favorite were the striped tank dresses. (She grew up to be a lovely young woman who wears mostly urban black, but has a very euro feminine style.)

Glory

Veteran

Jean and MNsara have now reminded me of a phase DD went through when she would only wear pink - pink socks, undies etc. You get the picture. Thankfully it didn't last more than about 6 months

Kristin SF

Veteran

Sorry to hijack, but goldenpig, have you ever been to Tea's sample sale? I haven't been brave enough, but I'm wondering if it's worth it?

I haven't been loving their collections lately, but this year the Eastern Pop line is adorable and I might have to partake. *And* we just met someone who works there. Danger ahead!

AviaMariah, you've already learned this, but yes - be careful when buying ahead. I buy DS and DD's clothes from crewcuts, a year in advance, when stuff goes on major sale. But earlier this year, I discovered a plastic bin filled with brand new clothes for DS that he had already outgrown. I felt sick. So I'm minimizing my buy-ahead strategy and trying to stick to just a few things that I love or are really great buys (like leggings and track pants). Good luck!!

Nicole D

Veteran

I just kept having more kids so they could become hand me downs. I even made the boys wear the girls' pyjamas (up to about age 6). It will calm down as she gets older and starts being harder on her clothes. Have fun!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Talk about strong willed daughters...seems like we all have them! Mine won't let me choose her clothes, she doesn't even let me present her with two options, which is the standard method you're supposed to try...everything has to be self selected, even her underwear. And she's 5. So that's why I try to stick with mix and match wardrobes. Even then, she's into color and pattern mixing but I can't complain...she gets it from her mom.

Just like eating, she has always been very independent. There was some saying that you can't control what or how much they eat, only what you serve them. It's the same with clothes. At least DS1 doesn't seem to be picky about clothes yet...we'll see though!

Glory, DD went through a yellow phase where everything had to be yellow. She even wore yellow crocs! I miss those days! Now she says she likes turquoise. But now DS1 says his favorite color is yellow! Yay!

Kristin, I haven't yet been to the Tea sample sales, but was also wondering if they are worth it or how crowded they are. I hate being in push and grab situations, and also trying to schedule kid-free shopping times to coincide with the sample sale would be difficult at best. You'll have to report back to us if you do go to the next one!

LOL Nicole, that's what I did, but unfortunately I didn't get a girl to pass DD's clothes down. I do use the Daddy's Little Princess towels on the boys, but haven't made them wear her girly PJs or underwear. Instead I try to buy some boy's PJs for her and pass them down to DS1&2.

I need to figure out what to do with DD's outgrown clothes. Like I said I tried to give it to my niece but they were overwhelmed with how much we had. But it's too nice to donate to Goodwill. I've thought about trying ThredUp but heard bad reviews about how they pay really poorly. EBay would pay more but is too time-consuming for me. I think I just missed the local kids consignment sale. Even though I know I'm not going to have another girl, it makes me sad to get rid of all her cute clothes. Awww.

flowergirl

(website)

I tend to buy items 2 sizes larger. I love Scandinavian clothing as the quality and styles are gorgeous and generous sizing. I love organic cotton as well.
My daughter is 6 years old and she doesn't make a fuss. I pull something out of her wardrobe and she wears it.