The Least Expensive Clothing Ideas

In today’s economy, it is all stops out.  At DoItOnaBudget.com, we are about finding and sharing the best bargain sources available. 

Clothes can be one of those items that can easily break any budget, especially clothing for young children.  They grow so fast, you may feel you never can keep up.  No sooner do you buy a children clothing, they seem to outgrow it.  Here are some helpful ideas that can help you save some money on children’s clothing. 

Save and Swaps

Very easily put, as children outgrow their clothes, put the clothes away in storage, using airtight sealer bags to keep them in good shape.   Around the neighborhood, you can easily find a neighbor or family member who has a child entering the size of the clothes you currently have stored away. 

Form a save and swap club through simple advertising and word of mouth.  Place signs on posts around the neighborhood, place advertisements on supermarket community billboards, and even place fliers at the local the library.  Once you have begun to gather interest, you can set meetings times and locations.

Not only is this a great way to exchange clothing and other money saving ideas, it is also a great way to network with folks having similar interests.  With everyone on a budget these days, you will find these clubs easy to form.   

Local Thrift Stores

Every community has a local thrift store nearby, but few venture inside.  The local thrift store is a great location for clothing bargains.  For toddlers and children, thrift stores are filled with an abundance of clothes priced pennies on the dollar compared to department stores.  Do not be surprised to find items at 70%-90% department store costs!

For older children and teens, the thrift store is a great place for those retro looks.  The thrift stores often have many styles of coats, shirts, sweaters, accessories, and other clothes at bargain prices.  You will also find new items as well.  Shopping a thrift store requires patience.  Not always is the clothing laid out as organized as a department store, but if you have a little patience, there are certainly great bargains to be found. 

Garage Sales

Garage sales offer a great resource for buying inexpensive clothes.  The items are normally in good condition and you will find a good selection of items in similar sizes. For example, a family who no longer has a need for infant clothes will normally sell their entire inventory at once at their garage sale.   Another great aspect of buying clothes at garage sales is the ability to negotiate deals.  For example, if you purchase multiple items at a garage sale, do not be shy to ask for a discount or to offer up a better price.  Most times, garage sales are used to unload items a family no longer wants around the house.

Department Stores

Department stores can offer great deals on new clothes, but you should always do your homework.  Compare prices between stores and even prices at same store in different locations. 

Stores such as Kmart, Target, and Wal-Mart offer inexpensive clothing but you have to be careful.  At discount stores, the money you save on clothing can be balanced out by poor quality.  This is not to say that great bargains can not be found, it is simply something to keep in mind.  Items such as jeans, T-Shirts, and similar items are good bargains at discount department stores, but I have found items such as sweatshirts, shoes, and d sweaters to not last more than a single season.  Be sure to check out these stores during the holidays too.  The normally offer the best discounts!

Other Clothing Bargain Ideas

There are some other tips and ideas when purchasing clothes that can help save money.  For infants and babies, for example, buy a little larger than normal.  Since young ones grow so rapidly, this idea will provide more use from clothing before the child outgrows it.  Another idea is to buy items that are staples that tend to stand the test of time.  Solid colors and basic styles tend to stand the test of time and can easily be passed on from one generation to the next.

Clothing, of course, is a necessity, but it does not have to be a runaway expense.  A little creativity and planning and you can really find inexpensive clothing ideas that can satisfy any budget.

Please feel free share your comments, ideas and clothing tips below!