Shopping for kids clothes can become truly overwhelming for parents, as they really tend to enjoy this activity, sometimes even more than buying clothes for themselves. However, if you are dealing with a specific budget or you just want to teach your kid(s) the importance of minimalism and the actual value of things, there are several practices that can help you make the most out of this particular shopping experience:
There is really no need for more than “one of everything”
Adopting “the rule of one” can sometimes be difficult for parents who want to make sure that their children have everything they could want. But, when it comes to clothes, it is important to remember that most kids do not really care about how many coats they have; not to mention that they do not actually need more than one coat until they ruin or overgrow it. This rule can be applied to many different clothes and shoes categories. If you are trying to stay within a specific budget, encourage minimalism for the whole family and/or embrace smart shopping, try going with the “rule of one”.
Wait for the end-of-the-season sales
If you want to save some money on shopping for kids clothes, and especially if you have more than one child to think about, waiting for clearance sales and end-of-the-season sales can turn out to be a true lifesaver. However, if you are looking out for the end-of-the-season sales you should most definitely think ahead as you will be buying clothes for the next year when your child will be older and quite possibly taller. When it comes to a large kids’ clothes sale, make sure to get the items you know the children will actually need. Of course, there will always be some items that will suddenly become a necessity, but when you are buying in advance, there is no better policy than focusing on what you know at that moment.
Treat hand-me-downs properly
It is true that hand-me-downs are not always the best choice of clothing for kids who get them. But, that is only true for items that are obviously worn and old. In reality, more often than not, there are plenty of clothing items that the older sibling did not get to wear as much and now that these do not fit them anymore can actually be perfectly utilized for the younger siblings. Therefore, do not forget to “shop your stash” when kids’ clothes are concerned as well. The hoarding and storing situation tends to be pretty similar to the one we get ourselves into as adults, too.
Embrace clothes repurposing
If you know how to sew you can truly repurpose plenty of kids’ clothing items and even create completely new pieces out of the more affordable material. Not only does this allow you to provide your kid(s) with something completely unique, but it also allows you to control the quality and your spending. In the end, you do not have to repurpose the whole pieces — even just bits of older clothes that look as good as new can be utilized for a décor or an accessory when it comes to sprucing up another piece of clothing; the possibilities are endless, so do not shy away from exploring this practice even if you may not know how to sew the best at this moment.
Timeless clothing can also be a kids style
It is always important to let your children discover their own style in every area of life, clothes included. However, while they are still young and have no clear clothing preferences, it is always better to turn to the timeless clothes that will look good for seasons to come. Of course, in order for the clothes to look good for seasons to come they have to be of good quality; but the classic cuts and designs that are always trendy and popular should be on your mind, especially if you are buying clothes for your kids in advance.
Listen to your children when they express their own wishes and preferences, but also do your best to teach them about smart shopping. After all, happiness cannot be found in material things, and especially not in clothes. Still, clothes are an important part of one’s style and the sooner children get to know what clothes mean in their life, the more beneficial this lesson will be in their growing up.
