How to Save Money on Trendy Children's Clothes

Children outgrow their clothes so quickly it makes good sense to save as much money as possible on them. You can outfit your child without breaking the bank or your budget.

Take note of the latest trends.

Part of being young in America is looking trendy. You can pull off the latest looks without spending top dollar. Look around at what is on store racks and shelves. Notice shapes, colors and fabrics. Is geometric print all the rage? Are you seeing vivid colors or muted hues? Are the clothes made of lightweight, loose fabric that drapes or more structured materials? Make a mental (or written) list of what is hanging on the racks. Once you know what is being displayed in the major stores, you can begin your quest for trendy bargains.

Take your knowledge shopping.

Now that you are armed with information about the latest fashion trends, you can then take that knowledge and use it to save money. Instead of buying the newest hot item from the pricey department store, try alternative sources. Stores such as T J Maxx, Marshall's and Ross have huge selections of trendy discounted clothes. After narrowing down your list to specific colors, shapes and fabrics you are looking for, you can quickly and efficiently browse through all those racks of clothing and pull out only those that make your "A list". If you have noticed on your research mission that floral prints are the latest trend, pass by all the big bold prints and zero in on the florals. If the hottest colors this season are bright and bold, don't waste time looking at the dark or pale colors. Stick to what you have on your trend list and save time and money.

Try vintage.

Since styles come and go in cycles, whatever is in style right now has been around at some point in the past 10 years or so. Check out consignment shops and thrift stores for good used clothing that someone has discarded. Some people turn up their noses at the prospect of wearing previously-owned garments, but the savvy shopper knows how to find the good stuff among the trash. First, check for tags. Many times clothes have been removed from closets just because the size was wrong or the item was a present that didn't appeal to the recipient. If you see the original tag hanging from an item of clothing, chances are that it has never been worn. Next, check out the inside of the clothes. Look for worn seams, faded color, stains, etc. Discard items that have obviously been worn so many times the owner left telltale signs! You can often find clothing items that have been worn one or two times and then donated. That is almost as good as new.

If you really want to stretch your dollar, plan a weekend garage sale adventure! Check the classified section of your local paper for individuals having estate/garage sales in your area. Highlight the ones that look promising, and make a day of it. You will be amazed at the perfectly good stuff people will sell for 25 cents just to make more space in a closet!

You can clothe your child in trendy outfits without going broke. A little knowledge and purposeful, planned shopping will help you find those hot items for less money.