Buying things before you need them? « Back to Group Discussions

[Eilis]

I found these cute pants on the Ingrid & Isabel website, and on sale!

http://www.ingridandisabel.com/product/1192/linen-pant.html#saleOnly=true

I'm thinking they would be good for wearing to work in spring and summer. I if really like them, I could see myself wearing them a lot. 

But should I hold off on buying clothes until I truly need them? (These particular pants are not returnable because they are on sale. If they are too short, I'm out of luck.) 

What's your approach -- do you wait until you know what you need, or do you buy things ahead of time?

[talldarkeyes]

I just bought a bunch of things today that I wont need for several weeks but I say, if you can afford it and find a good deal, go for it. Also if it doesnt fit maternity clothes sell well on ebay and craigslist. I just consigned a bunch of my maternity clothes that no longer fit.

[dayiscoming2006]

It really depends. I wouldn't buy TOO far in advance, but I think those pants look very nice and should resell easily like the previous poster mentioned, so I'd probably be OK with that.
 

Also, if you know it's something that would work for later, it's nice to shop sales and clearance.

[coalifetime]

i think that if finances allow for you to purchase things ahead of time then that is a huge plus!    i have picked up a few gender neutral baby sweaters at a recent clearance in sizes that i would think baby could use in fall/winter.  from past experience i will need to have all of these items well sorted so that i don't over-buy and misplace items and forget about them.   good luck nesting!

[skycheattraffic]

I'm hard to fit so I only ever buy what I need when I need it after trying it on (or with a good return policy).
Baby stuff is different though and I'll gladly pick up non clothing items for baby whenever they come on sale. That's how we got our crib, stroller, carseats, monitor and much of the bedding among other things. Baby clothes I pick up on sale for the near future when I have an idea of what size is likely to fit when the item will be weather appropriate. The exception is Carter's because they have no time limit on returns with receipt. I got a snowsuit for DD last year and it wasn't a good fit this year and there was no problem with the return at all (tags on, not washed). I got overzealous with DD and ended up with too much clothing, some of which got very very little use. I'm keeping things very lean and simple for this baby. I'm actually amazed at how cheap this kiddo is since we have all the gear from DD already. DD is expensive though, needing a big girl bed, new carseat and CONSTANTLY outgrowing her tops and shoes lol.

[Tenk]

They have ADORABLE big girl beds at IKEA that look like rod iron, our sweet DD will get one so baby boy can have her crib in about 1.5 years when baby stops sleeping with us :)

I also do not buy maternity clothes without trying them on because I have such a weird complex about they way things feel when they touch my skin.  But if you KNEW you liked it and wanted to buy it and could afford it, then go for it!!!
 

[heyitskalista]

I'd buy them!