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Sparkle (0)
My son goes to preschool year round so we won't really do a "back to school" shopping trip. Instead I tend to scope out good deals year round, buy things in the off season on sale and hoard clothing two sizes too big in the closet till he grows into them. Here are my secrets:
1. Sample sales - In downtown Los Angeles the wholesale clothing mart opens its doors to the public on Fridays for sample sales. I went last weekend and the Charlie Rocket store was selling everything for $10 a piece. I bought a button down shirt in another store for 50% off wholesale. My friend bought a winter coat for her daughter that would cost $150 retail for $30. Sign up for your city's Daily Candy to find out about local sample sales or if a company you like is based in your area, call and ask when and if they hold sample sales.
2. Second-hand Stores - I've started buying nearly all my children's clothing at second-hand stores (my favorite local store is Eden's Green Closet. If you're in LA, go have a look-see!). You can find beautiful used clothing in great condition at boutique second stores. I know a lot of people are squeemish about buying used clothing, but it's really not that big a deal once you wrap your head around it. It's environmentally friendly and, after hand-me-downs, the most cost-effecitive option. Particularly when you're buying for small children who seem grow out of or wear out clothing by the time you get out of the shower in the morning. Usually you can also sell your used clothing to the store, either for cash or for credit (you'll get more in credit), but lately our local stores haven't been offering this option since even second-hand stores are feeling the recession crunch.
3. The Mini Social - Sign up to get e-mails telling you about special sales on brand-name clothing lines like See Kai Run and Splendid. You can expect markdowns of up to 60% off and can get $10 worth of credit for every friend you invite who signs up and orders. I hate to pay shipping (I know, I've been totally spoiled by Amazon) though so I kind of cringe at the $9.95 per order shipping charge.
4. Gilt Group - Same deal as The Mini Social, but since Gilt Group also offers Womens, Mens and Home sales from various high-end brands, you'll also find yourself being tempted by the likes of Marc Jacob and Valentino and Jimmy Choo. So while normally you'd have to pay an arm and a leg for that Little Marc jumper, now it'll only cost you your left hand.
4. Outlets - I'm not really a big outlet shopper, mostly because I'm too lazy to drive and I know I can nearly as good deals on the internet. But it's a good option, especially if you happen to live nearby to an outlet. I have friends who do all their shopping at outlets, waiting till the best sales happen, like after Thanksgiving.
5. Discount Racks - To be honest, steep discounts are everywhere and you needn't go farther than your local mall or that little clothing boutique around the corner to find them. I buy most of my son's jeans and pajamas (we like Gap Kids/Baby Gap for those basics) this way, usually buying bigger sizes knowing that he'll grow into them in no time.
Finally, one of the greatest things about dressing preschoolers is that they don't usually care if they're wearing hand-me-downs or not. My baby son wears all my older son's old clothing and I plan on milking that for as long as I can. I was the first of my group of friends to have children so my oldest son doesn't get very many hand-me-downs, but it never hurts to find a friend or relative with older children who is willing to hand down their children's old clothing to your kids. Because there really isn't any deal better than free.
