let me elaborate on that ;)

We have four girls. One of the things I love to do is dress them in matching outfits. However, I've learned that I can get even Gymboree clothes REALLY cheap during Gymbucks time and/or sales and/or clearance, etc. So, I'm good there.

But I need to balance that with just having playclothes, yk?

Thrift stores are really few and far between over here, so I can't rely on those for an entire wardrobe. And I sew, but fabric is so expensive it's hardly ever cheaper than buying new and on clearance or on sale.

So, where's the balance? Is it in the sheer volume of clothing that we buy? Should we only be getting a few outfits per season and washing more often?

Here's a great thread:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?t=277546

We have enough clothing to wear for about a week to 10 days. Including cloth diapers, shoes, etc. Nothing super fancy because we don't use it, why waste money on it? (for us anyhow) 90% of the kids clothes are WAHM. Socks are our big holdout. We all wear Reebok, they are the most cushioned and comfy I've found. :shake:

Here's Aileen's month of decluttering info. It's very long, sorry. Scroll down to find the part about clothing. It's come in handy for our family:


DAYS

1- current clothes, list needs

2- stored clothes, label boxes correctly

3- shoes

4- winter gear

5- diapers & toiletries

6- other baby stuff

7- bathroom (towels, washrags, toiletries)

8- Kitchen dishes- (plates, glasses/cups, soup bowls, flatware)

9- baking dishes/pans-

10- pots-

11- mixing bowls/baking misc.-

12- small/large appliances-

13- storage containers-

14- cookbooks & kitchen towels

15- tablecloths, napkins & candles

16- linen closet-

17- laundry room-

18- machines (sewing/serger/snap press etc...)

19- fabric-

20- patterns & thread

21- notions-

22- craft supplies-

23- sewing & craft books

24- magazines-

25- movies-

26- books-

27- tapes & CD's (including computer softwear)

28- Games-



29- Homeschool books

30- Homeschool supplies (including art)

31- preschool learning stuff-

32- outdoor/swimming/camping stuff

33- backpacks-

34- memory things (photos/scrapbooking)

35- decorations (regular and seasonal)

36- office papers/bills

37- office equip./supplies & shipping supplies

38- toys-

39- pantry foodstuffs

40- pantry canning supplies

41- pantry gardening stuff

42- furniture


CLOTHES:

7 everyday outfits (kid/adult)
10 everyday outfits (babies/toddlers not potty trained)
3 prs. PJ's
4 meeting outfits/socks
3 everyday socks
7 prs. underwear


SHOES:

3 prs. (dress, seasonal play & town)


WINTER GEAR:

1 heavy hooded coat
1 light jacket/sweater
1 hat
1 pr. gloves


BABY STUFF:

diapers- 1 dozen per size
covers- 7 per size or pocket diapers-1dozen per size
1 doz. per baby in diapers

baby blankets- 4
carriers- 1 infant/1 toddler
cradle/bed- 1
Bedding-1 set (mattress/sheepskin etc...quilt/blanket)
toiletries- 2 each (diaper cream, soap, shampoo, oil)
stroller-1


KITCHEN:

dishes-
small appliances-
large appliances-
pots-
pans-
mixing bowls-
storage containers-
cookbooks-
kitchen towels-


PANTRY:




DINING ROOM:

table cloths- 2 high quality
cloth napkins- 2 meals worth


BATHROOM:

towels- 1 per person
wash rags- 2 per person
toiletries-
guest towels- 2 sets stored in linen closet w/ new soaps



LINEN CLOSET:

guest towels- 2 sets w/ new soaps
2 extra guest pillows
1 blanket per bed
sheets- 2 sets per bed
quilts/bedspreads- 1 per bed


LAUNDRY ROOM:

cleaners- 1 each (all-purpose, window-vinegar/water, 2 stain removers, clothes detergent, wall cleaner sponges, scrub powder-soda/salt)


SEWING ROOM:

fabric
sewing machine- 1
serger- 1
snap press- 1
threads-
notions-
patterns
craft supplies-
sewing/craft books-


ENTERTAINMENT:

magazines-
books-
tapes/CD's-
movies


TOYS:



GAMES:


OUTDOOR/SWIMMING/CAMPING STUFF:


HOMESCHOOLING STUFF:

books-
supplies-
preschool learning stuff-


OFFICE:

papers-
bills-
office equip.-
office supplies-
shipping supplies-


BACKPACKS:



PHOTOS/SCRAPBOOK STUFF:



DECORATIONS:

regular-
seasonal-



FURNITURE-

let me elaborate on that ;)

So, where's the balance? Is it in the sheer volume of clothing that we buy? Should we only be getting a few outfits per season and washing more often?


I only have two girls right now...and really I ought to be asking you this question cause you have a whole bunch of girls;) ...I guess I've considered buying dresses almost an investment and since I can pass them down I'll get more out of them thanks to the Oxyclean stain pretreater I keep on hand. I've made a lot of Charlotte's clothes...I guess I always keep my eyes open for discounted quality fabric, but really it's mox nix like you said on cost...sometimes, just depends. I visit www.fashionfabrics.com

I've also done really well on ebay. I've been able to pick up lots of next to new, new with tags, ect...

But if I were boy shopping I'd have to start from scratch...Peter destoys his clothes, and I'd never dream of passing down much of what he's gone through.

I buy alot of gymboree for SDD b/c it holds out better and I can pass it down to DD and maybe even to annabelle oneday. JOsh I find most of his clothes at garage sales etc , I have great luck outfitting him in quality clothes that way. I should mention that the gymbo I buy is usually used, off eBay, or on sale at the store. They aren't always wearing the currant line. I have only bought 2 things that were full price there, and it was more for me than for them LOL Last years Grown with Love, I HAD to have the denim capris with embroidered veggies for DD, and for Xmas this year I gave SDD the rocky mountain jeans with the pony on the cuff b/c she adores horses. My kids do have way more clothes than they need, but alot of the excess is gifts from grandparents, hand me downs from my cousins kids, or b/c they were out and needed something. For some reason this happens to us alot. I finally got smart and started keeping a bag in the car with extra clothes for them. Camden doesn't make it to the bathroom when we are shopping, Josh trips in the parking lot and goes face down in the mud and snow, Kari dumps her chocolate milk all over her at the resteraunt, etc etc. I have messy kids LOL

I do Ebay & consignment shops.

One word.....second hand!!! (ok, that was two words)

If I can't find it gently used and if it was not gifted to me (hand-me-downs!)....then I shop sales only. Never paying full price. The only exception is for my husbands work clothes since he is in an administrative and very public position.....and well.....it does matter for his job. (he does get some work clothing every year for Chirstmas from my parents which helps out)

Right now I'm wearing a sweatshirt that I purchased at an outlet store when I was 14 years old. (I'm almost 37 years old)

I think this is a area where we in western society are totally warped in our viewpoints regarding wants and needs.

I do think only a few outfits are needed. If you are one who will not do second hand clothing, then at least try it for the play clothing. If you need to buy new, then just do that for non-play clothing.

I like letting the first owner pay full price for high quality clothing. I just keep an eye out and pick it up second hand. My sister-in-law passes down her childrens clothing to us (love that!) and she never buys anything new...but always manages to find high quality brand clothing.

I do buy our childrens everyday shoes new...but only on sale. I do feel a quality shoe is important but also feel that children (even teens) need only one pair of shoes for everyday and one for dressy occasions. If my teens want more shoes beyond that, they have to buy it themselves.


I use to be a clothing snob...recovered from that one. *lol* I do still do high quality....but low quantity. I firmly think we only need a handful of quality garments in our closet.

Needless to say, I don't buy clothing at discount stores. Not only are they made on the backs of people who are forced to work in horrible conditions, but they are of low quality.

If I have to buy new, I really look around before spending any money and never pay full price.

I do think it is important to see what kinds of attitudes about self-worth, finances, and whatnot we are teaching our children via our own actions towards clothing and money in general. (hope that made sense)

Michelle

I like my kids to look nice. I have access to really great second hand shops. As in Hanna, Oilily, etc Availability isn't an issue. But if you don't have that access , you don't. I wouldn't therefore *ever* say dress them in rags. :sob: My youngest dd is a tights, euro dress, elefanten/primig kinda girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Too soon, she will, as her sister has, go to jeans and tops. Period.

But I would say you def don't need the volume you probably have. Do you go out every day to events that require 'the look'. Do you dress them up even when they are home? (Might wanna rethink that. lol) Are they getting paint on their clothing at playgroup? Some outings simply don't require the whole coordinated Gymbo look. Is there a clothing competition among the mothers? I once knew a parent (from our waldorf playgroup, of all places) who would not repeat an outfit. You don't need that. Get new friends if you feel pressure. If you put pressure on yourself, you just have to decide which is more stressful; ppending the money, or looking at them in mismatched outfits.

I'd get maybe 3 of those outfits each season, to have for times when you do want the kids to look cute. And then maybe a holiday set. But if you are hsing, or the kids are in different classes at school, you can get away with the younger ones wearing the nice Gymbo sibling handmedowns. At least this way, you're only buying for the oldest. Although I suppose some kids would resent this. My youngest loves it when I tell her her big sister wore that at the same age. But not all kids go for this.

My advice on this would be to stop shopping as recreation (if you do) and only go buy clothing when you actually need outfits for them.

It all adds up- eating out, buying prepared foods, buying many coordinated outfits throughout the year etc.

You'll find your way because you are a thoughful, searching person. :smooch:

I'd say go for less outfits, but still buy the higher brands like Gymbo. I'm also planning on e-baying or selling here the "sister" outfits we have, b/c I cannot imagine having to dress them in the same outfit for the next 3 years, KWIM? I'd get sick of looking at it! As for my girls' wardrobe, I have been working on it for MONTHS and it is slowly getting better! This week I pared down to ONE big rubbermaid container of extra clothes (too big/little). I went thru w/a pad of paper and wrote down EVERYTHING! I matched up outfits, and if it was an odd piece, it got put in the goodwill bag. I have really been working on it for a long time, and I think I finished up for the most part now. It was SO worth it! I have my lists organized according to child and season. For example:

Lacy Summer 2006

3 new gymbo mix and match shorts/top sets (these are for whenwe need nice play clothes, going to town, park or family outing)

PLay clothes (this is for everyday, playing outside, most of this was bought used, given to us, or a gift. I am leaving in 2 extra tops to go w/ the jean shorts):
1. yellow/blue "girls" shorts/top 4T Play
2. Hot pink/lavender shorts/top 4T new
3. Circo pink hawaiian shorts/top 4T play
4. Red "bug" shorts/top (extra matching top) 4T VG
5. Turquoise top/blue jeans shorts VG
6. Misc. top/jean shorts Good
7. Misc. top/jean shorts (may be to small by summertime) Play

Nice Outfits (like for going nice places or events)
1. Lime gingham shorts/top EC
2. Patriotic gingham sl/capris EC
3. White top/jean flowered skirt EC (new, gift)
4. Strawberry dress (from last year, will only fit for a bit)
5. Pink ging. watermelon dress (from last year, only fit for a bit)


I did this for both girls, and for summer and winter. It might not be exact, but now I have an idea how much I need to buy. For the example above, DD needs some nice dressier clothes, probably just an outfit or two. The baby has plenty of clothes, and I culled out alot of it, since she got some for her b-day. I'm hoping my toddler gets an outfit or two for her b-day, too. I like to also have one good transition outfit for spring/summer that can go either way, and includes a matching cardigan/jacket and both pants and shorts.

And even though it has nothing to do w/ this topic, I wanted to also say in my quest for simplifying hte girls' wardrobe, I put all but 2 pairs of shoes up in baskets on closet shelf! Most of the time they will wear the tennis shoes (toddler) or softshoes (baby) anyway, so why alllow the others to get tossed around and messed up (not to mention dragging them into the LR and fighting that the red boots don't match a particular outfit). I ditched the dreser, and put all cltohes in the closet, playclothes in cloth bins, nice stuff hung up!

Can you tell I'm REALLY happy to have this figured out? Good Luck, Mama! You can alway sell older matching stuff here or e-bay it! If you keep it, your 2 year old is looking at having to wear it every year for the next 6 years! While that might not be a big deal on plain jeans, I don't think she'd like having the exact same shirt.

The link above is to an older post of mine a over a month ago :lol: You would all be so proud of me! The mamas were RIGHT! I had way too many clothes for both girls. I've pared down, and they still have plenty to wear. Not only do I have less to deal with, the Laundry Beast seems to have been tamed by drastically reducing the amount of clothing available! RIght now I don't have *any* clean clothes that are not put away, and I only have 1 load of dirty stuff, plus a few extra towels. That NEVER would have happened before!

Good Luck, ChasingChe!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! And trust me, you will LOVE the results!!!

I don't have any advice on the matching outfits, aside from the one that *I* always miss when I try to go thrifty. . . if it is important to you, continue doing it. It will make you feel less deprived in other areas that you *do* cut to the bone.

One way that I *do* save on clothes is to look around and find families that have girls older (or bigger) than mine. Then I offer to buy their used but still good quality clothes.

It took a while to get the courage to actually ask, but I finally bit the bullet. I asked a few friends if they would consider letting me paw through their stuff before they hauled it down to consignment. I was willing to pay the same as consignment - it was a win-win, if I bought the stuff from consignment, I would be paying an upcharge, but my friend would still be making the same, yk? Also, our consignment requires the stuff nicely pressed and on hangers, I was willing to sort through bags, therefore saving them some work for the same payoff.

I love cute, matching clothes too. Sigh...My kids are now too old for that (ages 7, 9 and 15...) But a few years ago? I was totally into Gymboree, Hanna, etc, etc...

I shopped sales. I went to the Gymbucks sales. I went to the outlets. I got the clothes that way. I have done it like that for, oh, 15 years now?! LOL. My 15 year old came home in a Gymboree set. :rolleyes:

I also prefer to have less, high quality, over more and cheaper ones. However, and a big however, I did notice that as my kids got older? I had to hold myself back from screaming, "No!!!!! Don't get dirty!!!!!!!!!"...not a reasonable request for a toddler or child.

So I either had to let them be, in that $40 set...or have them wear the cute, all cotton shorts from Target ($5) and the all cotton tee from Target ($4)...Target has amazingly cute stuff too, trucks, etc. on their tees for boys and girly designs for toddler/preschooler girls.

I balanced it. I got some cheapo Target sets, ones I didn't care about. To let them play and just have fun. And I'd do the Gymboree stuff for less messy times. LOL...

I don't try to balance it. I don't really care too much about the quality, to be honest. We are SO blessed in that we've never bought clothes for the kids. I've maybe spent $150 total on new clothes for all four, no joking.

People give us bags of stuff all the time. Sometimes it's fancy brands, sometimes it's cheapy stuff, and they outgrow it so fast it doesn't make much of a difference. But honestly, I don't care about clothes anyway, if you can't tell. I couldn't tell you what I'm wearing myself if I don't look down to check. I make a slight effort to have us looking put together, but it's a very low priority, money-wise.

Kerri

Adding in my two cents late here...

ETA: Because I make most of Cyan's clothes (only about 50% of Alex's) then I can list the things I make each season and that may actually be relevant to this thread. lol... the rest is just fluff.

10 pairs of unders (bought this season... I make them too though)
2 packs of socks (bought)
3 pairs of tights (bought)
6 - 8 hoodie sweatshirts
6 - 8 pairs of elastic waist pants (patchies, cargos, wide legs, and flare)
4 skirts (Long skirts always)
6 - 10 dresses (tanks, cross back, dressy, and layered)
15 t's (Long sleeved, short sleeved, cross top, or raglan)
6 pairs of Pj bottoms (to be used with almost grown out of t's for tops)
4 Sweaters (thrift bought)

Sometimes I get some of the things I would make at thrift stores when looking for my clothes or her sweaters... but usually I make all of them. That is Cyan's entire wardrobe. These things of course work for more than one season, but this is what I make her about 4 times a year. When she slows her growth a bit then I am sure I will be thinking more long term. It won't be long. LOTS of the winter stuff I made her still fits now. I will have to reevaluate soon.

~OP~I am a huge clothes and socks person. Dh is huge about Sunglasses and Shoes. We don't spend on my stuff at all... becuase I thrift shop and make my kids clothes. I know the quality and style of each of my kid's clothes becuase I make a lot of them. I have a style that will not be supported via gymboree or other outlets very often... and I thank heavens that I have that ability... I think I would spend a lot if I didn't becuase I am so picky. Dh on the other hand. We spend $300 twice a year (when we can) on shoes. He thinks that shoes are the ground for a healthy back. Since I have been with him I have had less back problems and it may be due to the shoes he buys me. Who knows? But none of us have real back problems and so we will keep doing what we are doing as far as shoes go.

I like hippie clothes like this:

Top, thrift shop sweatshirt (Old Navy Fleece) bottoms, patchy pants made by me.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Patchy%20pants/DCP_0018_2.jpg

This outift is me too, blue undershirt is Abercrombie and Fitch from Goodwill:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Sewing%20items/IMG_0814.jpg

I have more pictures, but that seemed like overload.

I only buy natural fabrics (cotton, hemp, blends of linen, etc) and that has been a huge factor in the quality of my clothes. I have pants that are on their 4th kid and stained, but still holding up perfect.

I also dress my children in a lot of black. Not becuase I am goth or anything... I am not. But because I like the way it looks with my childrens skin. Earth tones and black. Freak? Maybe... but a good kind of freak. :heart: ;) And try finding black at Gymboree or Target... lol.

With older boys clothes I have a harder time. Alex is hard to fit in RTW (ready to wear) clothes. He is size 6 around (wears size 4-6 boxers) but a size 12 slim long. He is a long skinny kid, and he needs certian styles too becuase he is nearly 10 years old and in public school. Cyan is easier... girls are just easier in general to clothe... no matter how you do it... but as children get older, they are harder... boys esp.

right now I'm big on Old Navy/Gap. They have cute boys' clothes at a reasonable price. They last and are instyle. This is very important to me for my older son. He doesn't care, but I know how kids can tease and pick on someone who doesn't have "the right clothes". Ask me how I know. :tear:

For me, thrift store stuff is fine. My highest priority is comfort. That's it. If it's cute and comfortable..hey that's an added bonus.

I buy Gymboree on sale and use gymbucks.
I bought some leggings and turtlenecks at Gymboree for next winter. The leggings were $6.99 and the turtlenecks were $4.99 each. I bought 4 and 4 of each.

I try to shop for next year when stuff is on clearance- if you can gauge your children's growth. I shop on the clearance rack at JCPenney's. I get Oshkosh and Carter's stuff for very cheap. I buy baby gifts this way too.

I shop the Carter's outlet in my area.

hmmm, hard one ...

Maybe you could save the matching outfits for special occassions, holidays, birthdays, girly day outs, etc... (budget your money so you are putting aside a set amount each week/month for this so when the time comes you are already prepared for the expense and you can enjoy shopping with/for the girls)

You could try swapping for name brands - not only here but in other groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Just4boys/ (I use as I have boys)

Also, you can make a themed swap world wide at http://swap-bot.com Just sign up for a free account, enter your swap qualifications, and advertise your swap. The software does the rest. It matches your participants and reminds them and tracks the swaps of who sent and who did not. Really an awesome software.

Some groups on Yahoo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Name_Brand_Kids/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gymbobabies/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hannakids4US/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheClothingSwap/

I'm sure if you google you'd be able to find some more as well.

I do seem to recall even a haba toy swap/buying group on yahoo as well. (FYI)