Children outgrow clothes so quickly! As a mom, trying to keep up with growing kids and their constant need for new clothes can be such a strain on your budget!
Saving money on kids’ clothing can be challenging sometimes, but I have tons of great strategies and tips to help you make the most of your clothing budget.
(And you won’t feel like it’s just money down the drain every time they outgrow something!)
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Here are some of my favorite smart ways to save money on kids’ clothes:
1. Buy Secondhand Kids’ Clothes
• Thrift stores, consignment shops & other secondhand shops:
You can often find great quality clothes or even new clothes at a fraction of the price at
- consignment shops,
- thrift stores,
- secondhand shops,
- garage sales,
- online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or
- in local Facebook groups like a Buy Nothing group.
I’ve found the best deals (normally on brand new clothes!) at chain stores like Once Upon a Child and Kid to Kid.
Since kids outgrow clothes so quickly, parents might find themselves needing to get rid of clothes that are brand new still with tags. I’ve been there (and it hurts)! Enter you
To make the most of thrift shopping:
- Visit stores in high-end/upscale areas, as they often have higher-end brands. These brands often have more durability and keep their sell-back prices higher too!
- Go frequently since new items are added regularly.
- Join local Facebook groups or follow social media pages for your favorite stores to stay updated on sales and new arrivals.
• Online secondhand shops:
Other online resale shops for kids clothes include: Kidizen (sign up with my code vkx8v & get $5!), ThredUp, Poshmark, Ebay, and Mercari.
When shopping online:
- Use filters to narrow down your search by size, brand, and condition. It’s ok to be picky about what you want!
- Be sure to check for any selling or buying fees, and shipping costs. They can sneak up on you!
- Look for bulk listings where you can buy multiple items from the same seller to save on shipping.
- Check the seller’s reviews, or if they don’t have any reviews, be careful of making a big purchase from them.
Large, in-person consignment events take place at different times and areas of the year. You can both sell and buy at these sales, and they will have a huge variety of items!
Check out Just Between Friends to find a sale near you.
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2. Take Advantage of Sales and Discounts
• Seasonal Sales
Retailers often have huge sales at the end of each season to clear out their inventory, making it the best time to stock up on kids’ clothes for the next year.
For example, buy winter coats and boots in February or March when prices are heavily discounted, and shop for summer clothes around August or September. (Or October if you live somewhere with a long summer!)
• Couponing and Cashback Apps
Coupons and cashback apps can often save you lots of money on kids’ clothes. Popular apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Honey offer cashback and discounts on your purchases from a wide variety of shops.
I’ve saved almost $800 over the years by using these apps!!
Also, most stores have their own coupon/loyalty programs that can save you tons of money too! It all adds up!
Outlet and Clearance Shopping
Outlet stores and clearance stores often have big discounts on kids’ clothes. These places often carry overstock items or things from previous seasons.
Our area has outlet malls, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, a Gap Clearance store, and Big Lots, to name a few. I’ve also seen Nike Clearance, Dillard’s Clearance, and Under Armor Clearance stores out there.
You might want to check your area to see what clearance shops might be around you!
3. Buy in Bulk
• Multi-Packs and Bundles
Several stores offer discounts when you buy kids’ clothes in multi-packs or bundles. They might not be a large discount (unless you can find them on sale), but they’re still less than if you bought them individually.
I’ve seen t-shirts, school uniform polo style shirts, pants and shorts, and of course socks and underwear in bulk.
Be sure to check online and in store at places like Walmart, Target, Sam’s, Costco and Old Navy for these bundles. Checkout these kids’ clothing bundles on Amazon too!
If shopping online, use cashback apps to save even more!
• Hand-Me-Downs
If you have multiple children, hand-me-downs are a practical and easy way to save money on kids’ clothing.
Organize the clothes you want to save by size and season. Then store them in tubs or vacuum-sealed space bags if you can, so they will stay in good shape for when the next child uses them.
4. DIY and Upcycling
• DIY Clothing Projects
If you have basic sewing skills, you can save money by making simple alterations to your kids’ clothes.
Hemming pants, adding patches, or converting long sleeves to short sleeves are easy projects that can be learned easily from YouTube. There are tons online tutorials and resources available to help you get started.
• Upcycling Old Clothes
Upcycle clothes to make them into something new! For example, you can turn an old t-shirt or button down shirt into a dress, worn-out jeans into shorts, or even shorts or pants into a skirt!
Older kids can also take part in upcycling their clothes. Upcycling is a fun and creative way to save money while also teaching your kids about sustainability.
5. Plan and Budget
• Make a Clothing Inventory
Before you start shopping, take an inventory of your kids’ current wardrobe. I normally do this before I start school uniform shopping.
Check the sizes and amount they already have, and what you need to buy. This helps you make sure you don’t buy duplicates, and you don’t waste money on buying what isn’t needed.
• Set a Budget
Setting a budget for kids’ clothing is super important to being able to manage expenses. Determine how much you can afford to spend each season, and stick to that budget!
Track your spending to ensure you stay within your limits. You know they’ll grow out of them soon anyways, so no need spending like crazy on clothes!
Use my printable Floral Budget Planner to help you stay on track with your budget- see a video of all the pages in my shop!
6. Shop Smart
• Buy Basics in Neutral/Basic Colors
Basic items in neutral colors can be mixed and matched easily, giving you more kid outfit combinations with fewer pieces. (It’s also fun to have a pop of color here and there though, so don’t forget a few of those!)
Focus on buying high-quality basics that can last longer with frequent wear and washing. It can be worth it to splurge a little when you know something will last a while!
• Size Up
When buying clothes, consider sizing up. This is especially great for seasonal clothes like jackets or sweaters, but it could also work for shoes too.
You don’t want them to be too big, just enough so that there is some room to grow. That way they can get a couple of years out of things that might normally only last one year.
• Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
It’s smart to invest in high-quality items for some essential pieces. As I said before, if you know they’ll last longer, then they’ll be worth it!
Also, younger siblings can get some use out of these items, and/or if you sell them, they’ll get you a higher price!
7. Host a Clothing Swap
• Organize a Clothing Swap
Clothing swaps are a fun way to refresh your kids’ wardrobes without spending any money. Gather a group of parents and organize a swap event!
Ask everyone to bring at least a certain number of gently used clothes their children have outgrown. Set up tables or racks to display the items, and let everyone choose what they need!
• Online Clothing Swap Groups
You can also join local online swap groups on social media. These groups allow you to trade clothes with other parents in your area. It’s a convenient way to find new-to-you items while decluttering your own closet.
8. Utilize Hand-Me-Down Networks
• Family and Friends
If you haven’t already, connect with your family and friends who have older children. They may be happy to pass down clothes their kids have outgrown.
They can be a great source of free, gently used clothing, especially if they have similar tastes and sizes.
• Community Resources
There may be organizations or groups in your area that offer kids’ clothing exchange, or give away free clothes.
Check with local churches, community centers, and parenting groups to see if they offer clothing exchanges or donations.
9. Take Care of Clothes
• Proper Care
Taking good care of your kids’ clothes can really make them last longer, saving you money on having to buy new ones so soon!
Follow the care instructions on the labels, and teach your kids how to properly handle their clothes (if they’re old enough).
Simple practices like using gentle detergents, washing in cold water, washing only when clothes are actually dirty, and air-drying can make a big difference.
• Repairs
Learn basic sewing skills to make minor repairs, such as fixing loose buttons or small tears (or check out YouTube). Pick up a small sewing kit like one of these from Amazon. These simple fixes can help keep clothes in good condition longer.
10. Embrace Minimalism
• Make a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is made of just a few essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits. This really helps you focus on quality over quantity.
Kids don’t really need that many clothes when they grow out of them so fast. A capsule wardrobe can save you money, and reduce decision fatigue when trying to decide what to wear.
• Mindful Shopping
Be mindful of your shopping habits and try to avoid impulse purchases. (I know, it can be hard!) Before buying new clothes, ask yourself these questions:
1. Is the item is really necessary?
2. Will it will be worn frequently?
3. Would the money be better saved or spent on something else in the long run?
Doing this will help reduce impulse buying overall and save you money!
11. Get Creative with Storage
• Organize by Size and Season
Organize your kids’ clothes by size and season to easily find what you need. This helps prevent buying duplicates of items you already have. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve done that before!
I like to use these space saving bags and plastic storage bins that are clear so I can see what’s inside of them.
Instead of using sticky labels, I print out what’s inside in a large font, then put it inside the clear bin. That way I can easily see from the outside what’s in each bin. Also, I don’t need to peel off old labels that leave a mess.
• Rotate Kids’ Clothes
Keep only the current season’s clothes in your kids’ closets and store the rest. This makes it easier to see what they have and reduces the clutter.
As the seasons change, go through the current season’s clothes before putting them away. Decide what might still fit next year, and what you’d like to try and sell, hand down, and/or give away.
Then store what you have left, and get out next season’s clothes.
12. Teach Kids About Value
• Involve Kids in the Process
As your kids get older, involve them in the shopping process. Explain why it’s important to look for good deals, and take care of their clothes.
This not only helps them appreciate what they have, but also helps develop good financial habits from an early age, and appreciate the value of money.
• Encourage Creativity
Encourage your kids to get creative with their outfits by mixing and matching their clothes. (Depending on their age.) This can make their wardrobe feel larger, and they’ll feel like they have more control of what they wear.
If your child gets overwhelmed by choices, set out a limited number of outfits and let your child choose.
13. Plan for Special Occasions
• Borrow or Rent Clothes
Special occasion dress clothes for kids can be super expensive! For special occasions like weddings, holidays, or photo sessions, consider borrowing clothes from friends or family.
Renting clothes for one-time events like these is also a cost-effective option. This way, you can dress your kids in something special without the added expense of buying new items you know they’ll only wear once.
If you can’t borrow or rent, try local consignment shops, Facebook or other local marketplaces or special occasion kids’ clothes. Try to also size up when you can to get more use out of it!
• Multi-Purpose Outfits
If you do end up having to buy special occasion outfits, try to find ones (colors/styles) that you know can be worn for multiple occasions.
A nice dress or a smart suit can be used for various events, making them a more worthwhile investment. Look for versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Saving Money on Kid’s Clothing
Saving money on kids’ clothes doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style or quality!
By shopping secondhand, taking advantage of sales, and using smart shopping strategies, you can keep your kids well-dressed while staying within your budget.
Remember, the key is to be resourceful and proactive in finding the best deals and making thoughtful choices for your family’s needs.
With these tips and tricks, you can shop for kids’ clothing without breaking the bank!
What’s your favorite way to save money on kids’ clothes? Comment below to share your tips!
