I'm doing a bit of late shopping for my kids going into the New Year and trying not to blow the budget all at once.
Between growth spurt, winter basics, and a few "nice but not urgent" items, it feels easy to overspend without realizing it. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just solid clothes that'll last a few months without paying full price everywhere.
For those of you who've managed to stretch a clothing budget recently, what actually worked?
Was it timing sales, using certain stores, stacking discounts, buying ahead, or something else? Genuinely curious what's been effective lately, especially when shopping a bit later than planned.
What's the smartest way you've stretched a clothing budget recently?
byu/Admirable_Corner_309 inFrugal
Posted by Admirable_Corner_309
25 Comments
Lots of goodwill stores around me, that’s where I get almost all my clothes .. just a suggestion.
Go to the thrift stores, some of the clothes are in brand new condition and so cheap. I also see bulk clothes on FB. I used to buy clothes for next year with the clearance stuff but sometimes the timing doesn’t work out.
Go to thrift stores and try to time it when they are restocking.
Also I have the best luck buying out of season. Like buying swimsuits in the winter or jackets in the summer. So try to keep an open mind while you thrift
Buy nothing groups always have kids clothes. If they only need them for a few months before they outgrow them, then it stands to think that many wouldn’t be very worn.
My wife goes to the thrift store and finds things of really high quality. Then she can tailor them or dye them to make them perfect for us. Marrying someone who knows how to sew was huuuuge.
I’m the kid, growing up, I got alot of clothes for Christmas.
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Have you tried asking your Buy Nothing Facebook group? Or you can even infiltrate the buy nothing group for the rich neighborhoods around you because they usually give away tons of great stuff.
My local buy nothing always has incredible things and has almost always helped me with my ISO posts too
Secondhand clothes
My sister and I trade clothing each time we visit one another.
Clearance sales. I have about three stores that send me emails when seasonal clearance sales are happening. It’s a lot of matching family sets that are running low on sizes and out of season colors like Easter pastels or red plaid after Christmas. Search by size and price “low to high”. I buy a size or two up. The thrifted kid clothes in my rural area get completely worn out. I do thrift ski jackets and pants (living no where near the mountains) and toys and plenty of clothes for myself.
Befriending someone with an older kid is a good idea. Today I guess a buy nothing group etc would be the place for this? For us it happened organically: I got my sister’s and cousins clothes, then when I grew out of them our neighbors daughter got my clothes. We all grew so fast each piece of clothing only got used a few times per person, so we didn’t look bad in the clothes.
Ross, thrifting, good sales.
I’ve done exchanges with friends. So we all bring clothes we don’t want and don’t fit and then pick whatever. The rest goes to salvation army store.
Thrift stores and Costco. Costco can be cheaper than thrift stores – recently got a pair of adidas for 4.97, base layer top and legging set for 6.97 and their Ugg equivalent for 19.00
It’s not so much of an issue with children’s clothing, but aside from thrifting my absolute game changer has been using a capsule wardrobe. Everything goes with everything else, and going for non trendy items, so that it’s easy to make substitutions on the fly.
A clothing budget? I wish. Wearing what I’ve got.
Kid to kid or Plato’s closet or good will.
I live in a large city and a few Mom orgs in the suburbs do free clothing swap events. I got rid of a stroller, potty seat (I cleaned it up extremely well), clothes, shoes, toys, and books. In return I got a rainy day coloring book we used for years and a few other things. Google around to see if a local community does one of these things. They are amazing and free. Next level option: If your community doesn’t have one, could you start one?
Thrifting and yard sales. And go to the fancy neighborhood yardsales. They aren’t trying to make money, they are just trying to get rid of stuff.
I participate in hand me downs from friends, buy nothing groups, and fb marketplace. Then I will go to thrift stores and places like Once Upon a Time second hand stores. I avoid goodwill and salvation army. Then Then usually it’s target, Walmart, kohls, childrens place. But those are to fill in gaps or for event specific. I’ll compare prices across multiple stores online before I go buy anything. My favorite it’s hand me downs because it’s SO HARD to get rid of the clothes once they’ve outgrown that I know I’m helping someone else while they’re helping me.
Hand me downs and stocking up when things go on sale.
My kids are picky so when I find a piece they like I buy it in two colors and three sizes when it goes on sale.
For myself I wait for sales at Old Navy to replace my jeans. Usually every 4 months or so or big holidays. Also Amazon basics have some great pieces. Their Sherpa lined hoodies are awesome.
The thrift stores in my area are more expensive than buying new on sale.
Check if there are kids consignment sales in your area or stores like Once Upon a Child. The consignment sales typically do 50% off on the last day in the last few hours and usually have clothes for baby thru teen, tons of toys, games, books, etc. These usually only happen twice a year, but in a metro area there could be one every few months.
Thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, and sign up for Old Navy emails. They have some good sales where you can get multiples of the basics like leggings or t-shirts.
My city has quite a few resale shops just for children’s clothing. We also have a few community sales events where parents sell the clothing their kids have outgrown to other parents. It’s like a huge indoor garage sale. I’d look for events and stores like that where you live.