When Do You Start Buying Your Kids Summer Clothes?

I buy them when they go on sale the previous season! Or, like just yesterday at Walmart they had different colors of t-shirts for $1 marked down from $6. I bought a few. But, I'm cheap and don't pay full price for much.

It really depends on the age of your kids. I got clothes for the 'next' season at my son's baby shower, but quiclky learned not to until my son was in bigger cothes. He was born in June, and I was given some size 6 month winter cothes. He had outgrown them by September and it was still nice out!

When kids get a little older (size 2T or bigger) it is easier to get clothes a season (or a year!) ahead when you run into a big sale or when Children's Orchard has their Fill-a-Bag Event. Once you see how fast they grow it is easier. I have clothes a size up for my son in all seasons. If he grows into them in summer, then winter will fit. If he grows into them in winter, then I am good for when summer hits. AND I got them all way cheaper than getting them 'as needed' because I hit the store (or outlet) sales, consignment sales, and garage sales for the best bargains.

So to answer your question: I get them ANY month they can be purchased cheapest to stretch my budget as far as possible. I started getting my son his summer clothes for 2010 back in Decembr 2008!!

You said "from a business perspective" so I am curious....what business?

We live in IL and I bought a bunch of stuff for my daughter the day after Thanksgiving. Carters had the whole store 1/2 off.

I always go to the semi-annual Kid's Closet sales to purchase my clothing for my children. They sell gently used and new items. It is the best bang for your buck! The soonest one is in 7 weeks and is in Lee's Summit... but they have locations ALL over the states... check it out: www.kidscloset.biz -- you will be addicted like I am in no time at all! (Check out the pics on there... you will be amazed).

I always buy off-season clearance. I buy summer clothes for the next year at the end of summer, early fall, & sometimes even mid-winter. I rarely buy from new clothes lines...unless I need an event-specific outfit. Right now, I am stocking up on hoodies for next year for my son!

Now for the disclaimer: some years, I am unable to predict my child's size for the next year. Sometimes I make mistakes...as in the winter coat I just passed on to friends! My son wore it only twice, because it never truly fit him properly. I paid $15 for this 3-in-1 coat...so it really wasn't that much of a loss & the other family is very happy with it. Oh, well!

I'm starting now. Our kids are growing like weeds, and I hate trying to sort through things that are picked over in the season. I try to hit the sales at Kohl's and use coupons at Children's Place. We looked at Carter's and Old Navy yesterday. There's some stuff out there, but not a ton right now. I'm a huge fan of Target's $4 Circo brand for our kids - holds up well and fits them well.

If you wait too long, chances are, most things will be picked over, though most stores are good about bringing in new inventory later in the spring.

As a mama of now 3 I have alway's bought clothes shoes whatever it is year around.There is alway's something to buy on sale/clearance racks I love those of course my kiddos never worn the toddler sizes to their age I have to buy bigger it is so much easier for me to stock up that way than it is to go out each season to stock up.Now that winter coats and items will be going cheaper now I will need to stock up on those now as well.

I buy my kids summer clothes at the end of the previous summer when everything is on clearance. I buy them a size larger. If I pay $1 for a shirt and it doesn't fit the next year it is no big deal because it has the tag and I can donate it or sell it in a yard sale for what I paid.

I buy my children's clothes at the Kid's Closet Connection consignment sale in the spring. The sales are usually in March and April at various locations around the city-Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Overland Park, Lawrence, NKC, Gardner, Leavenworth. You can find great stuff at terrific prices. Best thing of all is you can buy clothes, toys, etc. one season and when your child has outgrown it, you can become a consignor and sell it the next season and make great money! Check them out at www.kidscloset.biz

I mostly shop consignment events. The next one is in March. Otherwise I shop end of season clearnce, garage sales and thrift stores.

I make custom children's clothing and I start getting orders for summer outfits around the last of February and early March. I always try to put out the new clothes/designs a season ahead for retail and I find that parents often are eager to shop for the next season right before it starts.

Good Morning S.. Well usually when all the Winter cloths disapear from the stores. Usually I think that is about the middle of Feb. Try finding a kids coat in March when it's still a tad bit cold, and their old ones zipper broke.

Ever try finding a swimsuit in Sept when they just brought out all the fall and Winter things....lol

God Bless S.
K. Nana of 5