7 Things to Consider before Buying Your Kids Clothes ...

No kidding, right? But I’m talking about more that what size they happen to be wearing at the time. Don’t get sucked into the idea that your child has to wear the size that corresponds to his age. No, all toddlers don’t fit into a 24 months or 2T outfit. Try clothes on your little one to find what works best. My son is 8, but he can still wear many size 5 shirts because they run so big. If your child looks like he’s just about to outgrow a certain size, buy one size bigger or you’ll just have a bunch of clothes he only wears once before they are too small. Size is definitely one of the most important things to consider when buying your kids clothes.

Adjustable waistbands are a total lifesaver. They allow you to buy pants a little big so your child can wear them for more than one season. However, it’s also important to consider the fit in the rest of the pants. You don’t want them to be too long or your child could trip and fall or they’ll get stuck under her heels and end up with holes in them. At the same time, you don’t want them to be too tight in the legs or your child will be uncomfortable. Not all kids are the same size at the same age, so it pays to consider how clothing fits before buying it. This goes for shirts, jackets, dresses and socks too.

Some kids are especially sensitive to specific materials or feelings on their skin. Even those that aren’t might not want scratchy or tight clothes on all day long. Feel the fabrics for the clothing you’re considering. If it feels yucky to you, chances are your child isn’t going to want to wear it either.

True, kids often outgrow their clothing before it’s totally worn out, but you want to look for a bit of quality when you purchase items for your child. Don’t worry because you can find lots of quality goods at reasonable prices. Look for items from Target, Old Navy or even Wal-Mart. Look for sturdy seams without any fraying. You want to stay away from really thin fabrics and anything that looks like it’s falling apart. Shop clearance sales to save money on quality pieces. Macy’s has great clearance sales!

I’m not sure if that’s a real word, but I use it all the time. What I mean by it is that the clothing is simple to wash and care for. You don’t want your kid loaded up on clothing that has to go to the dry cleaners. Look for items that you can easily wash and dry at home. The tag on the clothing will tell you how to wash the item. If it requires too much care, you might want to bypass it and find something else.

Sure, you don’t want to force your kid to wear clothes in colors he doesn’t like, but you also want to consider the staining factor. When my first son was born, I quickly became convinced that I would never buy my kids white clothing ever again. They have a few undershirts and socks that are white, but I make it point to only buy dark colored items. That way they cover up stains and still look clean and fresh, no matter how much spaghetti they ate while wearing the item. Think navy blue, black, red, brown and green, not white, yellow or pastel pink.

You’re never going to get your child to wear something she hates, so consider what she likes before purchasing her new wardrobe. For example, if she doesn’t want to wear leggings, no amount of money you spend on them is going to change her mind. Instead, let her point out what she likes and you can make the choices based on budget.

How do you navigate the world of children’s clothing? I strongly encourage you to accept hand me downs when you can. It’ll save money and provide your kid with plenty to wear.