Shopping Clearance Baby Clothes

**Marie78** · 04-26-2009, 09:40 AM

We are expecting our first baby in July and for the last couple months we have been shopping clearance racks and buying on sale to prepare for our new son. I calculated that we have spent $225 on clothes so far and we have bought sizes newborn through 12 months. We aren't done yet, but I plan on going to quite a few yard sales this summer and filling in our baby's wardrobe. I also hope that I receive some clothes during my baby shower.

I have been reading books that quote spending $2,000 or more a year on baby clothes. At first that number shocked me and after yesterday I'm not surprised. Yesterday we went to several baby stores at an Outlet Mall and we spent $190 on clearance and sale clothes only. When I got home I totaled the original price of the clothes and they would have come up to $671. We saved 72% by shopping clearance and we got nice quality items: Carter, Osh Kosh, The Children's Place, Gymboree, and Old Navy.

I just wanted to share what a savings shopping the clearance baby clothes racks can be. In fact I saw prices on those clearance racks that rival yard sale and thrift store prices.

**Debbie-cat** · 04-26-2009, 10:13 AM

Sounds like you got some great deals and congratulations!

**Rosebush3** · 04-26-2009, 10:58 AM

From my experience, babies grow past that 12 months size in no time flat, and what they actually NEED for clothing is very little. Also, you will likely recieve plenty of outfits from others as gifts. I would definitely slow down on the shopping. Also, clothes you buy ahead expecting them to fit them perfectly come the season they're bought for may not work out right because of growth spurts. A size 12 month outfit really isn't that big and many babies are in that at six months of age, both mine were. The first few months of your baby's life will be spent in the hot summer months where anything more than a onesie and a gown or lightweight sleeper may be just too much. Also, the chances are you will find just a few outfits, of all that you buy or that are given, that you actually use over and over, the rest tend to sit mocking you. You did get some great deals, on paper, but what kind of deal is it compared to not having spent that much in the first place. $225 spent so far to clothe an infant for the first six months to year of their life seems high to me. Just my opinion.

**Michelle** · 04-26-2009, 12:49 PM

You got some great deals

Babies need a lot fewer clothing items than people think...plus you may have a baby bigger or smaller than you think, and then the seasons may be off. For example, my girls were 8 lbs 1 oz and 9 lbs 2 oz respectively. Newborn stuff fit for the first week (literally LOL), and they were in a bigger size at age 6-9 mos than the clothes I bought for that time period.

Did you keep all the tags on the clothing? If so, you could give whatever you don't need/use for baby clothes. :wink2:

At any rate, buying for a baby is exciting and fun. Congratulations on your pregnancy

**spyzvixxen** · 04-28-2009, 02:08 AM

Congrats on the good deals! We've been to a few "outlet" places and honestly, I just didn't find anything good. The prices were the same as the stores around the corner from us. $2000 seems like a pretty padded figure. I also had success at the thrift store. I was amazed at how many items still had the tags on, but now I know why.

Keep those tags on!!! We got so many clothes that didn't fit the season or just plain didn't get worn and I'm kicking myself for being what I thought was efficient, clean & prepared by removing the tags & washing everything. I also neglected to save gift receipts.

The only clothes we've bought out of pocket are the onesies & pants, and those are as we go up in size. The "cutesie" outfits just keep dribbling through my door in the form of gifts.

**frugalwarrior** · 04-28-2009, 06:36 AM

Sounds like you got great deals.Be careful what you spend though summer babies spend a lot of time in onsies. Plus newborn to 3mo. flies by in about 1 1/2 months unless you have tiny babies. That said, congratulations on your pregnancy. My best baby tool ever was my porta crib. Not only are they great when traveling but my kids napped in them, you can keep crawling baby safe when you need a minute to do something, toddlers sit in them and play toys/books and later they are an awesome toy box for a quick front room straighten up. If you get one the Graco is better because its one piece. They can be set it up in less than 5 min. The fisher price had to be put together (this may have changed my babies are in high school). Good luck shopping. Don't forget to check out mom to mom club sales. Listings are on the web and this is when they have them. I always did excellent w/ twin club sales too.

**mom2bobsarah** · 04-28-2009, 09:16 AM

I agree with what everyone is telling you, keep the tags on. That way if worst comes to worst you can re-gift or sell on Ebay or something. My littlest oomp-loompa is 10 months old and is in 2t now. He is huge, we joke that he is our little linebacker in training, lol. But all of my kids were like that. I also suggest checking out onestepahead for onsie extenders, they add life to regular onsies as well as shirts that have snap crotches. My little ones torso is so long that the onsies in his size tend to be too short, but fit width wise. Good luck on your upcoming bundle of joy.