Does anyone have any tips about buying clothes on sale for use in "the future?"

I am always afraid to buy clothing at end-of-season sales because I fear my son will not have grown into the size I choose by that season. I wouldn't consider it saving money if I end up donating the unused clothes to Goodwill or consigning it!!

My son still has not grown into a few pairs of size 18-month pants that he got for his first birthday--he's now 2 1/2!

Those of you who do this...how do you decide what size you child will be in what season?

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~Jessica

A Classroom of One's Own

Honestly- I think it is easier to buy ahead for a child if they are a slow grower! When my oldest was younger- I would mainly buy dresses, shirts and sweaters the next size up- I can't really do that for her now since she is totally into what is current in fashion. For my youngest- she was a real slow grower until this past school year- she was in 24 months in August (she turned 3 in the end of August)- I had bought a tons of clothes for her for the future (2T and a few 3T)- thank goodness since she grew out of all her clothes and is currently wearing 3T. For next school year I already bought 4T for her. I usually will pick up stuff on sale, consingment stores and like new at goodwill. Anyways- you can buy just a few bottoms that you can switch up with the tops- and what I save on the other clothes, I make up for it by buying nicer school tennis shoes- they last for the entire school year (unless they grow out of it)- for sandals- it does not really matter- since there is only a limited time the girls can wear them. HTH!

I buy the basics and if I have any doubt, I buy a little big since I can always roll up sleeves and pantlegs but can't get any wear out of something that's too small to begin with. Of course my boys are 25 months apart in age so what one doesn't wear much, there's at least a chance that the younger one will. Anything else I am happy to pass along to any of my friends who need it.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Lucas (11/08)

I only buy end of season clearance items at stores that I know have long return periods. So I do not buy end of clearance at Sears or Target because their return policy is 90 days. However, JC Penney, Kohl's and Macy's have unlimited return policies. So I buy the clothes .... keep the tags on .... put in a clear plastic bin .... tape reciept in envelope to the interior of the lid .... place in attic .. label exterior (Summer 2007 clothes etc).

Also as my kiddos have gotten older I realize that the growing has slowed down and have gotten only 1 size bigger. I find that the summer is easier since shorts are a little bit easier to get extra wear out of them unlike pants that are 1-2 inches too short. HTH

Also, if it's cheap enough you don't have to worry about them not wearing it. I do most of my buying ahead for the kids at Old Navy, where I hardly ever spend more than $2 per piece. Even if they don't wear it, I can get my $2 back out of it by garage-saling it or taking it to Once Upon a Child, where they give you cash on the spot.

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I totally stock up on basics when I find great deals. I have 2 girls so one will likely wear it, if not both. I usually buy a size up from where they are this year, although if its a steal I may buy an extra size or two just in case. I tend to buy slightly larger as its easier to hem pants or let ehm wear slightly big shirts than smaller ones. I won't pay alot at the end of season clearances so if it doesn't get worn I haven't lost much. Sometimes I've even made money by re-selling our NWT clothes at the beginning of the next season to a re-sell shop or on Craigslist. Or, I give them away as gifts to people who can use them. At the prices I pay (usually less than $2) I can easily re-group my money if they aren't worn.

For me, its worth it. I keep a bin for each size with a list of what I already have in that size. That way I don't go buy things I don't need and I can keep my "stockpiling" organized and under control

I know it is hard to imagine right now, but there are soooooo many clothes out there for kids in the 24 to 2T range. I wouldn't buy ahead or stock up because there are tons of their clothes on the used market. I wish someone has told me when DD was 2-yrs old. They grow so fast at that age (truly! he won't be in 18month sizes for long) that used 2T clothes are in great shape.

Instead, spend your money on stocking up on clothing for the difficult years - size 5. Seems like kids stay in size 4-5-6 FOREVER so there is nothing decent on the used market.

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That's true. The older they get, the harder they are on their clothes, so it gets harder and harder to find decent used clothing.

For new stuff, I swear by Old Navy. I get tons of stuff for the kids there in the bigger sizes (my kids are now sz 8 and 5) for as little as $.97 - that's cheaper than garage sale prices! Even if it doesn't last as long as say, Gymboree, who cares when you've only spent a buck?

****The key to finding great deals is to shop on Wednesday mornings after markdowns. By the weekend, they're usually picked over.****

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All you can do is guess. I still do this for my son. He's getting bigger now and doesnt grow as fast as when he was an infant.
Typically I get him pants that may be a tad too big, but I just roll up the pant legs.

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Alex & the spider monkey

I do this for all of my kids always have and always will (shoot I even do it for dh & myself! ) Usually I buy one size bigger then what they are currently wearing, unless they are going thru a growth spurt (or haven't in sometime then I figure they are due for one LOL)then I might buy 2 sizes ahead.

Also if the shirts etc. are 100% cotton don't forget to allow for shrinkage just as soon as you don't thinking it's preshrunk or it won't shrink it WILL shrink.

The only thing I don't buy a season ahead is underwear, socks, shoes, etc. I have bought shoes in the next size up if they are something that can be worn anytime of the year like Nike tennis shoes or somesuch.

I figure if none of my kids don't use it (I have a 10 yr. old & 3 yr. old boy and a 7 yr. old girl) that I have plenty of people I can pass it down to, or give as a baby gift if's it's something the youngest one didn't wear at all.

My husband & I were in the Disney Store on Saturday and he mentioned something about a swimsuit for dd for this year....I had to at him, I bought them months ago! From the Disney store for no more then $5 each I bought several in 2 different sizes so she would have at least 2 for the season.