Inexpensive NEW clothing for kids & mamas

[becoming]

One more question for today: Where are some good places (online or otherwise) to buy cheap NEW clothes? Durability doesn't matter so much to me, as we rewear things that don't get dirty or smelly, especially in the cooler weather.

(No thrifting suggestions, please. I am *personally* morally opposed to thrift shopping at our income level. I don't judge others, but I'm not going to be thrift shopping myself.)

[PumpkinButts]

I'm not sure how old your kids are, but I love hitting the sales racks at BabiesRUs.  They usually have seasonal stuff marked as buy one get one free.  I got a couple of "church" shirts for my little one for about $2 each.

[becoming]

Awww, my kids have sadly outgrown Babies R Us now They are 4, almost 6, and almost 10. I have one in 5T, one in girls' size 4/5 and one in boys' size 8.

[PumpkinButts]

Maybe try some consignment sales at nearby churches or something?  A lot of the time people sell stuff with tags still attached!

[livacreature]

I've had good luck at places like Ross and Burlington Coat Factory when I buy new.  I never buy anything that isn't on clearance, regardless of the store, and have been amazed by some of my off-season finds for new.  I used to live near a Dillard's clearance center which was an awesome store.  I mostly do buy used, but yeah.  Kohls and Macys sometimes have good coupons that can be used with clearance as well.  I find that 'discount' stores like Kmart, Target, etc. tend to be more expensive than department stores if you really pay attention and aren't afraid of messier racks.

[becoming]

Burlington! I always forget about that place. I found $7 Carter's shoes there last time I went. It's not far from me at all, I really should start going there. Thanks for the suggestions

[Knittin' in the Shade]

[quote](No thrifting suggestions, please. I am *personally* morally opposed to thrift shopping at our income level. I don't judge others, but I'm not going to be thrift shopping myself.)[/quote]

Can you explain more about your moral objections?  (I'm not being snarky here at all, I've just never heard of anyone objecting to thrift shop purchasing before on a moral level.  I'm curious!)

[pranamama]

clearance racks of local stores and target has online clearance sections too.   Sears has really good rare clearance sales,   coats in December,   shoes in june etc :)   Summer clothes in Aug.   You often need to plan a couple seasons ahead to take advantage though

[34me]

Old Navy for that age kiddo and even you.  They really discount their off season stuff and I have gotten winter coats for $2 if you hit the right day.

[becoming]

Originally Posted by Knittin' in the Shade 

[quote](No thrifting suggestions, please. I am *personally* morally opposed to thrift shopping at our income level. I don't judge others, but I'm not going to be thrift shopping myself.)[/quote]

Can you explain more about your moral objections?  (I'm not being snarky here at all, I've just never heard of anyone objecting to thrift shop purchasing before on a moral level.  I'm curious!)

I just feel like places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc., should be left for people who actually CAN'T afford normally-priced clothes. We have a six-figure income, so I don't feel good about taking those clothes away from people who truly need them. Again, I don't project my feelings about this on other people, but I personally won't do it.

[organic-momma]

I shop the sales at Gymboree and always find tops and pants for under $10/each, and the quality is usually great.  Carters/Osh Kosh has some good deals as well.

[dbsam]

Do you have a Hanna Andersson outlet near you?  I find many items for $5 - $10.  (Most items in the store are under $20.) 

If you do not have one near you, they take phone orders and ship...but I do not know how much they charge to ship.

eta...some items are made for the outlets and are of lesser quality.  You can tell the difference when you are shopping or if you are ordering via phone you can ask for specific catalog items. 

Edited by dbsam - 10/5/11 at 10:48pm

[sunflower.mama]

That is a great tip!  I didn't know they shipped from outlets!  How do you know what to ask for though?

Originally Posted by dbsam 

Do you have a Hanna Anderson outlet near you?  I find many items for $5 - $10.  (Most items in the store are under $20.)

If you do not have one near you, they take phone orders and ship...but I do not know how much they charge to ship.

[dbsam]

Originally Posted by sunflower.mama 

That is a great tip!  I didn't know they shipped from outlets!  How do you know what to ask for though?

Well...when I am in the store I hear the sales people on the phone - a lot.  When I've chatted with the sales clerks about it, they said some people call requesting specific items and others say 'put together 6 dresses in size 130', 'or send a mix of pj patterns in size 110', etc.  I've also heard them describing outfits over the phone, which sounds a bit tedious.
 

I've ordered over the phone and had them hold it for me in the store; but I've always known exactly what I wanted.  Usually it is something I saw in the store and then decided to buy after I got home.  They sort of joke that they expect a call from me within a day of my leaving the store!

[choli]

Originally Posted by becoming 


I just feel like places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc., should be left for people who actually CAN'T afford normally-priced clothes. We have a six-figure income, so I don't feel good about taking those clothes away from people who truly need them. Again, I don't project my feelings about this on other people, but I personally won't do it.

I think that the proceeds of the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores go to the charity, so the poor do benefit if you buy there.
 

[KempsMama]

Originally Posted by choli 

I think that the proceeds of the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores go to the charity, so the poor do benefit if you buy there. 

I see the OP's point, and there's a lot of red tape between the dollar you spend and the charity received on the other end of things. 

[lilyka]

lots of stores have a good clearance stuff.  When I can't wait for a clearance sale my first stops are target and old navy.

[philomom]

Originally Posted by becoming 

I just feel like places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc., should be left for people who actually CAN'T afford normally-priced clothes. We have a six-figure income, so I don't feel good about taking those clothes away from people who truly need them. Again, I don't project my feelings about this on other people, but I personally won't do it.

I have an income like that and I love to buy used clothing. It means my dollars aren't going to sweatshops overseas but to my own community.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2465/is_5_31/ai_76285458/
Edited by philomom - 10/6/11 at 8:29pm

[AnkaJones]

My husband actually initially had the same impression as the OP -- that the service performed by thrift stores was providing clothes to poor people.  Actually, they're the fundraiser.  So, it's like going to a benefit dinner, only more useful for us.  And I agree with Philomom about avoiding the negative social impact of the clothing industry, especially at the lower-cost end of the spectrum.  All of that said, if you want to avoid new clothes for social/environmental reasons and you don't want to go to a thrift store, consignment shops are a nice middle of the road option.

Anka

[Momsteader]

Agreed! Use a local thrift store rather than a big behemoth like Goodwill and even more stays local and benefits the poor in your community.

As far as online, I've seen lots of folks posting on FB recently about deals they've gotten at zulily (?) an online clearance type store. There are ads here at mothernig sometimes in the sidebar.