How Many Moms Shop Out of Season?

Do it now while you still can!!! I used to do it all the time when my kids were younger...just buy a size up from what they are wearing now. The only thing I never bought in advance was shoes...the sizes are too unpredictable.

My kids are now in middle school and my buying ahead days are mostly over. Middle schoolers fashions seem to change every year...one year they want stuff from Aero, the next year it might be Hollister, or AE or whatever. I still try to shop the sales when I can...who wants to pay full price?

Good luck!

I have to shop out of season or my children would go naked. I can't afford to shop regular prices!
I always bought a size or two bigger and took my chances. My thoughts were always that it was okay if something was too big, but it was never okay if something was too small.
YMMV
LBC

I do shop ahead and find it a good bargain. I find shirts and tops easier to fit than pants so load up more on those. A little big is never a problem in tops. With pants, choose with an adjustable waistband or good elastic. I do coats ahead and buy big. I try to get 2 years out of a coat if I can. A little big the first year, and fits the 2nd.

I don't, only because I have no idea what the boys sizes will be. Our first is a peanut - he is 2.5 but in 18 month pants and 24m/2T shirts. While our second is a chunk - 14 months and in 18-24! I'm scared that the money I would save by buying off season, would be wasted because I wouldn't have the right sizes.

I always do, but you're right, it is hard to judge what size to buy. I guess it depends on how your child has progressed along the growth chart. I know sometimes they even will skip over a size (might be a 4T in the spring but need a 5T by fall).

I would definitely try to take care of the thrift store prices in the retail stores. If by some off chance you buy the wrong size you could always sell the clothes new with tag on eBay, at a consignment sale, or at a consignment store, possibly for more than you paid. So not all would be lost.

Always better too big than too small. I get all our stuff off season, and I buy all jeans long enough to cuff so they last 2 (sometimes 3) years. With the adjustable waists, you can go pretty big. I would get both kids clothes a year or two up from their current size. We bought my daughter's 4T coat when she was 2. She's 5 and still wearing it! It was $8 at Old navy off season in their stuff-a bag-promotion. My 3 year old son is wearing his bulky 5T coat ($10) from last year and hasn't nearly grown into it yet! It's got 2 to three years on it before he hands it down to my 3rd. :) I try to buy styles that sort of play at various fits as "shabby chic".

I always buy a combination of off season, clearance, sales and gently used consignment clothes for the kids. My kids are pretty predictable in growth spurts and my oldest one always goes to the next size about mid winter so we usually need two sizes of jeans or pants. It may be a bit tricker in your situation though since you have a girl and a boy. I have three boys so I don't worry that if my oldest just gets a month or two out of something, my middle son will get a lot of use out of it later. I usually focus on the bigger items like good winter coats or snow pants and items like that for shopping the out-of-season sales. Good luck!

I usually do and purchase at least one size up for the next season of clothes (so if I buy summer clothes in late fall I buy one size bigger), but my kids seem to follow the same growth pattern. Thankfully, I have two boys and soon a third so my second boy gets the hand-me-downs and I'm only guessing for one child. Since my oldest is in boys' sizes, usually a 5 for pants and 6 or 7 for shirts, I was buying size 6 shorts but only with adjustable waists for next summer. I am really hoping he stays around a 6/7 for his shirts for another year since he just turned 4 and I can't handle him getting much taller right now. :) Coats can always be a bit big, so if you can have your child try the coat on (or hold it up) and there are at least a few extra inches for her arms and the bottom, you are probably okay. I find that some coats are different actual sizes in spite of the tag, so it is good to make sure it is roomy enough. My older son is also getting his second winter out of the same coat, which is a boys' medium I think, but was a little too big last winter, fits pretty well this winter, but is still roomy enough over his snow pants that I think we've got at least one more year out of it. (That was a consignment purchase from grandma, so we/she saved big in the long run). Worst case, keep tags and receipts and you might be able to exchange depending on the store's policy, but I definitely shop sales ahead of the season, even with shoes when I can.

I do a lot. My daughter is a 3T now as well and I've already purchased her 4T coat for next winter. I also know that she doesn't grow too quickly and is on the small side. If the 4t is too large, I'll save it for the following year and re-use this year's coat.

The way I look at it is if I can buy it for so cheap, I can also sell it for that cheap at organized kid sales or on craigslist. Then, I'm not out anything if it doesn't fit. I also have a 9 month girl to possibly wear these clothes and several friends with little girls.

We also purchase birthday and Christmas gifts through-out the year to save as much money as possible.

Have fun shopping in the clearance aisles!

I always did it. Now do it for the grandbabies. I always bought a size
bigger. I had two girls and two boys. When it came to coats, I tried to
buy neutral colors this way if I was off, it would eventually fit someone.
I saved a tremendous amount of money shopping this time of year and it
always worked out. The deals are incredible now.

I always buy out of season. I buy 1 - 1 1/2 size larger so a 4 for your daughter's coat. And I love children's place for toddlers because they have the adjustable waist, so if you're a little off you can always tighten the waist. And for your son you could go 2 sizes up. You wear jeans all year long and he'll eventually fit them.

Oh, and if you find really great shoes on sale, you can always buy the current size and 1 1/2 sizes larger. Then when they grow out of the current pair they'll be able to fit the larger ones.

Yes I do I tend to go up a size or 2 & they fit great by next season I have 3 kiddos now & have done so since my first born.My great find last week @ JC Pennys they had a ton of my daughters size clothing for next Spring & Fall I ended up paying $34.00 my savings was $400.00 all the items I purchased was priced @ $1.97 plus my coupon on top of that.
Go up to a size 8 for your son if his shirt size is a small go to medium the winter coats try them on before you buy you may decide a next size up than previous thought.For the 3T clothing my 4 yr old has been out of toddler clothing since she was 31/2 so we do small for her but if the 3t's fit go up to a 4t or 5t.My kiddos are very tall & lean the clothes are highwaters & don't come down to their wrist the fits are all wrong I have to shop around

I love shopping that way. if you subscribe to Old Navy & Children's Place emails, you can combine online coupons with sale stuff and save even more. I have an almost 3 yo son and a 1 month old daughter and I just got a bunch of clothes for the baby to take advantage of sales. I didn't get anything for next winter season for my son though because I needed baby stuff the most. If your children are pretty predictable in their growth, then it makes sense, but I might avoid getting a winter coat or boots just in case they have a huge growth spurt or a lull. I try to be 'safe' in some of the clothes I buy just in case.

I only buy clothes for "now'...my DD was 37 lbs in March of '10....it is now almost Feb of '11 and she still weighs 37 lbs....she is also 3 and a half inches taller!!! Who would have guessed THAT!?!
Maybe you are braver than me....

M:)

I always do. I always buy bigger and try to get two years from coats if possible. I also always buy ll bean and keep all the receipts and tags on until next year since they take returns forever as long they have tags and you have the receipt. I buy online as well as in the store. I also buy from childrens place and can get some really great deals! I would go for a 4 or 4t for your daughter for next year. My kids go up about a size a year in coats right now and they are 3 and 5. The same pretty much goes for clothing. My son is in a 4t now and my daughter wears 5/6, so for next year I am getting her 6x/7 and him 5/6. I would buy ahead and lean toward bigger. Have fun!

I'd get a 4 instead of a 4T for her coat. I usually buy a size larger then what they are currently wearing because even if it doesn't fit in the fall it will at some point during the winter.

I absolutely shop out of season, and go up one size for "next year". I also shop consignment stores and get great bargains there - some items still have the original tags on. (This may be easier do you for your little girl. My kiddo is 3 and certainly not into "fashion" - your son might be most sensitive to wearing "what the other kids do" at school).

I love shopping out of season but as a result my kids end up with way more clothes than they need so I am not sure how much money I actually save. (My 7 yr old has 3 winter coats she regularly wears:) I buy mostly sweaters, long and short sleeve t-shirts, coats, scorts, jean skirts and cute hat, glove and scarf sets. I don't buy jeans because they need to try them on to make sure they fit. I get bathing suits in season at Target for $10. Can't beat that! Yes, I buy the next size up for my 7year old but my 12year old I think is throughh her growth spurt. Her coats from last year still fit and her shoe size has not changed in 2 1/2 years. (she was an early bloomer)

I shop out of season for everyone in my family! I usually would buy one size up for my daughter and it would fit just fine the next season. She is at such a weird size right now that I can't do it for her right now because I have no idea what her growth spurts are going to do to her. If your baby is in a 3T coat, I really think a 4T would be fine. At least, if it is too big next year, she will have some growing room.

Hi, 2kids:
It is not a good idea to purchase things for kids before the time they are needed.
Suppose something happened. You have clothes that won't be used. You've wasted money.
If you need to save money, go to a thrift store and buy the kids clothes. Save yourself some money and worry.
Just a thought.
Good luck.
D.

I usually buy winter coats on clearance. For my son I got him a size 8 coat, his current one is 6/7 and fits about perfect. He tried on his new coat and it's a little big but if he grows should fit and he doesn't grow much it's not terribly big. I've found that my kids can usually fit into coats for two years. His current coat he's had for two winters. My daughter is going to be 4 and I got her a 4T coat last year and it will probably still fit next winter since it's still big on her. I would just get a size bigger than they are wearing. As for pants, get adjustable waist. My son is tall and skinny and pants are always perfect length wise but too big in the waist. My daughter on the other hand is short and so pants usually fit her in the waist but are too long. She wears a lot of leggings and tights now.

I always buy out of season. I actually have recently bought my 2 1/2 year old son clothing for the next 2 winters. I just guesstimate at sizes. I would guess a 4T coat would fit your daughter next winter if her 3T is still roomy. My suggestion would be for her to try on the 4T coat and if it looks too big for her to wear it right now it should fit by next winter. I would rather buy a coat big than too small.

I buy everything a season or two prior. In fact I just bought tons of stuff at Old Navy; winter coats for $6, hats & gloves for .99, sweaters & shirts $2.49, puffy vests $4.49 & more stuff. Target I bought 3 pack socks for $1.00, underwear 6 pack $1.49. I usually will find pants for $2.49 at Childrens Place/Carters. But I like Old Navy jeans & try to buy on clearance otherwise I don't mind waiting till they are $10 & using a 10% off coupon or $15 off $75 purchase.

My kids typically will go thru 2 different jean sizes during the fall/winter/spring season, so I buy 2 different sizes of jeans but it works out that I have 2 girls so the one gets the others hand me downs.

I also have been going on websites bookoo.com & craigslist; I found some nearly brand new North Face winter boots for my son. Initially we bought some $65 columbia boots but then found these for $15 so I returned the $65 boots.

I would go up one size for the winter coat & all other clothes as well.

Another thing is that you will typicailly over buy when you buy seasons ahead, but I don't mind because as a child I only got hand me downs from charities & as you know most people donate stuff that looks terrible, which is embarrassing for a kid but I get to donate brand new clothing, coats, shoes that I know will put a smile on a child's face so it's worth it to me.

I do with a few items, I usually purchase the item 1 to 2 sizes up, it depends on what it is. I don't mind if it's a little big, then it can be passed down to my younger child too when he's older.

I kind of do... but only one or two sizes up. It sucks though, because my DD is 3 months 'ahead' as far as sizing goes (she is 9 months, wearing 12 months clothes)... so everything that was given to her is slightly out of season. She has a bunch of adorable spring dresses that she can't really wear because it's too cold out, but by the time it's nice enough to put her in them she will be too big for them! I put her in them, and take a picture... then pack it up to pass on to my SIL (who's DD is conveniently 4 months younger than mine. :) lol)

I like to go a size bigger then what I feel they will be in during the summer. Because if something is a little bigger when winter starts by Christmas it always fits him very well and last until summer starts.

I buy off season for things like coats and shirts. Pants/jeans are trickier, or maybe it's just the way my boys grow. I can't guess how much they are going to grow, so I can't get the size right on pants. I do alright on shirts, though. I can't buy shoes ahead of time either. Good luck - it's a great feeling to be able to take advantage of a good sale!