Childrens' clothing, sizes ahead...

[LZP]

Do you keep a list of what you have? If you dont keep a detailed list, what do you do to keep from over-acquiring in one size or style?

I am starting to amass a crazy amount of clothing for our little one debuting in August. I'm picking it up on super clearance sales, or at Goodwill if I see something that I just can't leave behind. Not to mention, I have relatives and friends giving an outfit each time I see them!

But, I'm starting to get a feeling that I'm acquiring a lot of a few particular sizes and want to focus on what we will NOT have for her during certain times.

Do any of you organizational divas keep a list of what you have and what you need to fill in the gaps?

I am a lover of list-making, so it wouldnt bother me in the least to take inventory- but is it worth it?

I already got some great tips on how to store it all... so, now I need to know how to keep track of it.
TIA!

[sagewinna]

I just go through it seasonally and write down what I need to round out what I have all ready.

When I was expecting, I did have an inventory of diapers, covers, etc in a notebook so I wouldn't overbuy.

[mamadelbosque]

My DS1 is 3 and DS2 is 8 months now (but wearing 12 month pants/shirts and 18 mont onesies), so I haven't been buying much for DS2, and have actually been avoiding goodwill the past few months as I'm pretty set for the next size(s). Anyhow... this is my 'system' as it were

I have a closet (in the boys' room) which is basicly just full of clothes. I have the next-size up hanging up in the closet (so I have 4/4T and 18month stuff up right now, for example), and all the rest in big plastic tubs. I actually have stuff from newborn-5/5T right now, most of it in tubs. I actually have a bunch of shirts/shorts pulled out that DS2 has outgrown in a laundry bag that need priced for the local kids' sale, but anyhow.

In each tub is one or 2 different sizes of clothes, most of which will be being sold w/in the next 6 odd months (all the spring/summer stuff that DS2 has outgrown in the next week, and then all the fall/winter stuff in the fall - theres a local kids' sale held twice a year at which I buy some and sell lots of stuff... what doesn't get sold there I take to a local resale shop and what they don't want goes back to the goodwill. Its a bit of a complex system, but it works for me, and I end up making back most of what I spend on clothes, which is great... the only downside is that I have to hold onto stuff for close to 2 yrs in order for them to wear it/grow out of it/and then for that season to come back so I can sell it!

Anyhow, whenever one or the other outgrows a size, I pull the stuff out of the closet and stick it in their dresser, and then hang up the next size, which gives me a visual reference for what I have and what I need to look for (so like, right now, I know I'm pretty set for both 4t and 18 months, so I'm avoiding shopping... and will only buy something in either of those sizes if its both a: very nice and b: very cheap (>$3 for pants and $2 for shirts).

[LaughingHyena]

I am a definite list maker. I started out not bothering but then someone gave me a HUE load of clothes for DS in sizes for the next couple of years. There were quite a few things we never used simply because I forgot about them.

I now keep a detailed list for each child of what we have in stock and in what sizes. It was a pain doing the first inventory but I have found keeping it updated is pretty easy. It's also made me much more organised and I know what to shop for. No more money wasted on having far to many of the same items.

[LZP]

Thank you thank you! Lots of great tips! I fear that if I dont make a list, I too will forget about things and end up not using them. I went a little crazy with the Happy Green Bee clearance sale, then they sent me sizes that I didnt order bc the size that i DID order was out of stock. So what I thought would be a partial wardrobe for a while is now a large pile of only a limited number of sizes.

So, Bins, lists, and having the next size out to visually see what's missing.

I love it! thanks ladies, and keep 'em coming!

[lucyem]

-Keep in mind not all sizes are the same. A 2T in one brand may be quite a bit smaller then a 2T in another. It is a bit frustrating to pull out the next size up and find items that are already too small.

-Watch out for buying very seasonal items that your child may not fit when they need the item. A sweatshirt or t-shirt can always be worn but a swimsuit or sundress or shorts will have more limited use. My boys were born at different times of the year (Early Spring & Late Summer) so with my second I had many items he never wore and had to buy items as we went along.

-All new to us clothing I put in one big under the bed box. At the beginning of a new season I go through it and see what will fit or will almost fit and pull it out and put into use.

[RoundAbout]

I am a big thrift store shopper and most of my 3 yo son's wardrobe is second hand (I buy new underwear, PJs, shoes, and holiday outfits). I started off making a list and it just didn't work for me.

Instead I keep clear plastic bins with lids in his closet stacked up and each labelled with sizes. Inside each bin I keep bottoms on one side and shirts on the other. I can see how full the bins are and gauge my buying by that. When I buy something new and wash it and put it in the bin I also make a mental note of where I am.

My main "strategy" is that if I see boys pants in great condition I always buy (coats and shoes I would do as well if I needed them). These are the hardest to find. Decent shirts seem to be easy to come by last minute so I don't worry so much about that. I buy only shirts that are super cute when I find them super cheap and have never been caught short.

[RoundAbout]

I also agree with the PP to pay attention to the actual size and not just the label. Your child's body type may matter too. I have a tall, skinny 3 yo who wears 3T shirts but needs slim 4T for pants but can still wear 2T shorts.

If I go to put away a 4T shirt for example I do a quick size comparison and see it it actually go with the 3Ts or be put away with the 5's.

[LZP]

I do wish I had room for stacks of bins IN the closet in the room! it's too shallow for that unfortunately, but the same strategy could work in the basement for sizes that we're not in yet.

I agree about sizing- bought an adorable sweater size 24mos, and a shirt size 12 mos, and the 12mos was SO MUCH BIGGER than the 24 mos! I think the sweater might be more of a 12 mos, and the shirt a 18-24. wow. Hopefully, they will still fit in the right season. didnt think about that part till I was home and already washed... I'll be sure to put away with the true size, not the tag size!

[OkiMom]

I keep track of the next size up for each child. I know basically what each girl has the size up from what shes wearing and what needs to be filled in. My 3 year old is in size 6 dresses, 4T pants and 5/6 tops, she is totally set for this size. However, since shes the oldest and none of my friends/family have girls older than her she has nothing for the next size up so Im sewing/looking for size 7/8 dresses, 5 pants 7/8 tops.
My 1 1/2 year old has just grown into size 2T pants, 3T tops, 3T/4T dresses (my girls both have extremely long torsos and short legs) but since I have all the clothes from my oldest she is pretty set. Ill still get her a couple of dresses that are uniquly hers, I like each child having a few outfits that aren't hand me downs.

[chel]

does anyone not buy ahead?
my most frugal move is to try to get by with as few clothes as possible.

dd1's size stays very stable then makes a big jump. i've had several buy ahead and then doesn't fit mistakes.

i've gotten tons of handmedowns from dd1 and other friends for dd2. i think we are set till atleast 2t.

big issues currently is dd2 changes sizes in the middle of a season. i need to buy "winter shoes" for next winter, but don't know if she'll be a 6-12m or 12-18m. she'll only need them for about 3 months so i hope i won't have to buy both sizes.