When do you purchase clothes for your child?

United States
April 16, 2007 5:47pm CST
My husband and I have differing opinions on when to buy clothes for our son. He thinks we should wait until right before school so that we know what size he will be in. He said "that's why there is back to school shopping". Like I couldn't figure that one out. HaHa! Well, I have been picking up a couple of things here and there when I can get really fabulous deals on good clothing. I figure ... I know what size he is in now and I know what size he will be in next. What do you do?
5 people like this
26 responses
• Canada
16 Apr 07
i buy stuff through out the year. we shop for the deals so whenever the season is over and all the stuff is on sale i buy what i can for the following year. usually some in the next 2 sizes up if it's for a year from now.
2 people like this
• United States
16 Apr 07
My son is in a size 6 right now so I have been picking up size 7 and 8's. I figure he will be in them during the next school year at some point.
1 person likes this
@stailgate (2363)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I buy clothes all the time for my kids. I do find myself buying more clothes around school time, but that is not nessacery because of the price, but more because of I want them to have something that is nice that is not stained or ripped from romping in all summer long.
2 people like this
• United States
16 Apr 07
I've been putting the clothing away in a box for school time. That way it is all still new and in good shape. There is no need to spend the summer playing outside destroying new clothes.
1 person likes this
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Good thing you put this here because I just told my daughter while she was sleeping that I have to buy you a dress for church this week; She is the only one who goes to church and I wanted her to have something nice when she goes.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Apr 07
:) That is very nice. How old is your daughter? I'm sure she will appreciate your caring so much to want to do that for her.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I do what you do. You can figure out what size your child is going to be when school starts. Even if you get a size bigger, they always will grow into it. In the long run, you will be spending a ton less money if you pick up bargains here and there. I have 4 kids and it is a fortune to get school shoes alone! If I were to get all their school clothes at the start of school, I would be broke!
2 people like this
• United States
16 Apr 07
I always buy clothes for my children. If I hit a sale and the only sizes are 2 sizes to big if the price is right I buy it. They can always grow into them, it's not like they are going to waste. I have closets full of clothes for my daughter, she'll grow into them. I agree you always know the next size they will be in so why not. Have fun shopping.
@kodie420 (872)
• Canada
17 Apr 07
Well Im alot like your husband and usually wait to buy new clothes for the kids when school is back in unless they really need something. The fact of the matter is children are pretty hard on clothes but if you can afford to buy them new clothes all the time then so be it but I cant afford to buy new clothes for all 3 so I kind of got to save up for one big shop kind of thing.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Apr 07
We are pretty tight on money also. That is why I thought spreading it out and getting a good deal was more worth it. I mean...I could save up 10.00 a month so that I can buy him clothes when the jeans are 15.00-25.00 each or like I just did...buy a pair of really good jeans for only 3.00. It seems I would save a LOT more money buying when the price is best. I am not giving him the clothes to wear now. Perhaps I did not make that clear. I am buying them 1-2 sizes larger so that when school starts I can bring them out and he will have a nice new wardrobe at a much more affordable price. That is my thought but I appreciate your take on it. :)
@anup12 (4177)
• India
12 May 07
Yes I do.
1 person likes this
@magilives (261)
• Australia
17 Apr 07
I buy clothes when I can afford them and when they are on special. School clothing is different because the kids have uniforms and they are never cheap so I have to save up for them and buy them when I can.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Apr 07
There are no uniforms here. I went to a private school when I was young and wore a uniform. It would be easier in some ways although I do find uniforms to cost a little more in the end. :)
@jbb316 (1779)
• United States
17 Apr 07
I buy clothes my child all the time. If there is a sale then I will definately try to buy something for them. It doesn't matter what time of year it is. I would much rather buy clothes when I find them on sale all year round than to spend alot of money at one time on a bunch of clothes like at the "back to school" sale.
1 person likes this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
17 Apr 07
nope i cant get exactly the sizes of my children..i need to bring them when i go shopping so that it wont be a waste of money then..your husband are same in line of thinking as mine..likes to be sure always and like to bring children when shopping as well..
• United States
17 Apr 07
I can see this when my children are a little bit older. Right now my son is only 5. He is the one who will be starting school this year. My daughter is only 3. At those ages it seems pretty easy to buy ahead when I can get things at REALLY great deals. I just picked up a pair of double knee adjustable waist jeans for $3.00. I know I would never find that in back to school shopping. Now, when my kids (especially my daughter) gets older maybe even as young as 9-10 I would say I need to wait a little more. Partly because of changing shapes as well as sizes and changes in style. Perhaps not..I'll have to see when that time comes.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
17 Apr 07
We buy clothes all throughout the year- My daughter is 10-- She is always picking up something here or there- If it's a good sale I'll buy it- You have to buy clothes during the season. When she was younger- I'd pick up the next larger size on clearance at the end of the season for the next year- Just made more sense-- saved money- and she didn't care what she wore- Now she is picky and likes to choose her own. You don't have to buy school clothes on back to school sales! Its just their way of getting you to spend money- Buy them throughout the year!
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
18 Apr 07
I buy a new outfit for my daughter every other week - usually! As weird as it sounds, my partner gives me the money to spend on what i want so usually it goes on my daughters already HUGE wardrobe! I am expecting 2 nephews & a niece in the next 2-3 months & 3 weeks ago i went shopping with Mum & ended up buying all their Xmas presents then - at the end of the Summer sales, everything was $2 so i got them all an outfit each as well as a skirt & pair of shorts for my daughter for Xmas! If you're wondering, i'm in Australia so that's why i haven't long had summer!!! You're definitely doing the right thing though, they're always gonna grow in to whatever you get so why not save yourself some money & buy them at the sales a little bigger than they need! My daughter is 10 months old now & i have clothes here to fit up to about 3 years old, my sister has an outfit in her collection (for my daughter) in a size 4 - coz she got it really cheap at a sale!
1 person likes this
• United States
12 May 07
Having 5 children, two of which are in school and one going to school next year, my husband and I have no choice but to start school shopping as soon as possible. The downside to starting early though is that they usually grow out of the clothes purchased quicker, but we try to buy at least a size up to avoid this.
1 person likes this
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
7 Jul 07
Once or twice per season and before the school I have to get them new uniforms.
1 person likes this
@medooley (1873)
• United States
17 Apr 07
My kids are still young and they are not going to school yet, but I am sure that my wife will be buying clothes for them then, like she buys them now... and that is any time she sees something she likes. The way that I look at it is if you see some cloths that are good for your children and it is a good deal you should probably pick it up. Like you say you can always put the clothes away and keep them nice until they can wear them. Plus would he rather you spend a whole bunch at one time or spread that cost over a period of time?
1 person likes this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
17 Apr 07
I buy my kids clothing all the time when I can to. My oldest is really hard to shop for. Her height doesn't match up with her weight. So I have to take her with me to try clothes on. Now I like to go to Old Navy, because they have a lot of clothes on sale all the time. Let's just say, my youngest shouldn't have to worry about clothes for at least a year or two, lol. Speaking of my oldest, it's time for her for some new summer clothes. Your husband needs to know kids can't go to school, come straight home and play in those clothes. Clothes don't last forever that way. Kids needs play clothes.
1 person likes this
@kitkat1 (1227)
• Canada
17 Apr 07
Well there is alot of different ways to look at this but i will tell you what i do. I have three children so buying clothes can be costly so when i can i go to thrift stores for second hand clothes and if you look carefully enough you can find nice stuff and good brand names. I do have certain times that i buy clothes and they would be for starting school, for christmas concerts, christmas, birthdays, etc. But i find where kids are growing and changing all the time in their body sizes sometimes you have to choose shopping times for clothes on this basis as well we go though there dressers frequently and get rid of what they have out grown and when there is not much let to choose from well it is time to replenish.
1 person likes this
@magiee (63)
• Philippines
17 Apr 07
Me & my husband always go in the mall to buy our only child clothes. We always make sure that the clothes that we going to buy was if he is comfortable & fit in the fashion.
1 person likes this
@Dana5881 (609)
• United States
17 Apr 07
I buy clothes for my son throughout the year basically. If I see something I like and I can afford it I get it for him. Also if he rips a pair of pants or needs a new pair then I will go and get it for him. He is quite spoiled when it comes to clothes and shoes.
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
17 Apr 07
I get the kids new clothes in August for the coming school term. I also get them new clothes in the spring if they have outgrown their warm weather gear. They are always needing new sandals every summer, because they are never in good enough nick to hand down. I also try to eke two years out of their coats, but they often wreck zippers and I often have to buy them new ones when I least expect it. That's a good reson to keep an eye on sales all year around, and lookf for a size or two up.