Whether you have one child or 10, buying children’s clothing can add up quick. Today I wanted to share where I shop for children’s clothes, and how I balance getting the best deal versus the time getting that deal.

When I just had my two boys I went to garage sales for basically all of their clothes. I couldn’t imagine spending full price for little clothes that they would outgrow so quickly. After adding several more children I realized my lofty goals of always finding their clothes at garage sales was going to need to be thought through again.

It is hard, hard work to spend a day at garage sales with five children to buckle and unbuckle at every stop, and try to watch them while you dig through clothes and look for stains. Sometimes I’m able to leave them with my husband on a Saturday morning, but previously he has always owned a lawncare company and was normally out working on Saturday mornings.

As my children have grown I’ve realized different things are best buying new. It’s rare that I find boys socks at garage sales for 7-9 year olds that are not falling apart. It’s also becoming harder and harder to find a decent long skirt for my five year old daughter, so now I sew her the skirts we sell at Deborah & Co. for girls.

Here is a list of places I shop at, both locally and online for children’s clothing.

1. Garage Sales – This is still my preferred place to find clothing as it is always cheaper then anywhere else. I try to plan garage sale days around city wide or neighborhood sales. And if I can leave the children home it is much, much easier for getting in and out of a sale quickly. I still do go with all five, I just know I’m not going to get to as many sales.

2. Local Children’s Consignment Sales – You will spend more at these sales then at garage sales. The advantage is the fact that newborn through teenage clothes are all together, so you save a lot of time in hunting at various sales for the sizes you need. I always look first for boys jeans at sales like this.

3. ThredUP – This is like a consignment sale for children but it’s online! You can find gently used or even brand new with tags clothes for children here. When you sign up through this link you can even earn $10 that is put into your account! I purchased all of my boys winter clothes through ThredUP and was very, very pleased with everything I received from them. I’ve also ordered tops and dresses for my daughters here. You get free shipping on orders over $50. Once you sign up then you can share your own referral link with friends or family and earn credit once they order!

4. Zulily - A daily deals website that sells items for children, women, and household items at a discounted price. I love seeing what deals pop up each day, and have purchased suits for my boys, shoes for both myself and my children, and sweet dresses and accessories for my girls. I recently purchased the dress below for my daughter for just $12.00!

5. Department Stores – I like the shirts that Kohls sells for children. If you watch closely you can find some really good sales on them where you don’t spend much more then Walmart prices, but the quality is a lot better.

6. Thrift Stores – I’m listing this last because this is honestly the last place I normally look for children’s clothing. There is no guarantee whatsoever that you will find anything at our local thrift stores, and I just don’t always have the time to go look and walk out empty handed.

That is my list of where I shop! I’d love to hear where you get clothes for your children!

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