How To Be Intentional When Clothes Shopping For Your Kids
Do you enjoy shopping for clothes for your kids? It’s a lot of fun exploring the different styles and patterns available at the children’s clothing stores, wouldn’t you agree?
However, with so many cute styles and designs to choose from, shopping for kids’ clothes can easily spiral out of control. You might find yourself buying much more than your child can wear before outgrowing them.
To help make shopping more intentional, here are a few tips you can use when you shop for your child’s clothing.
The benefits of Shopping For Kids’ clothes with intention
Over the past 5 years or so, I’ve been purposeful in how I choose clothes for my son. I stick to a set number of outfits, only shop at a handful of selected stores, and never buy ahead (even if there is a big sale).
My son is now 9 years old. He currently likes wearing Minecraft t-shirts and sweat pants (he used to like dinosaurs t-shirts and jeans). I understand his taste and style will continue to evolve as he grows older, but for now, we are enjoying the following benefits of shopping with intention:
Cost Savings:
By sticking to a set number of outfits for my son (7-10 pieces for each warm/cold seasons), I make sure to check the inventory before buying, and I can be more focused on shopping for the items needed. I save money by avoiding unnecessary purchases.
Avoid overwhelmed when shopping
Since I only shop at selected few brands, I know their price points, sizing and quality very well. I don’t overwhelm myself by comparing prices and qualities of various stores before making my decisions.
Get dressed more quickly:
With fewer clothes to choose from, it takes much less time for my son to get dressed. This makes our morning routine a lot smoother and easier.
Easy decluttering process:
Once my son grows out of his current size, decluttering his old clothes is quick and easy. At the end of each season, I check his closet, and take out the pieces he’s outgrown, then shop intentionally for replacements.
How to be intentional when shopping clothes for kids
Based on my experience building my son’s wardrobe, here are the tips for being intentional when shopping for your kids.
Observe your child’s dressing style
The first crucial step in shopping intentionally for your child’s clothes is to pay attention to their style.
This involves observing the kinds of clothes they feel comfortable in, the colors and patterns they gravitate towards, and the styles that make them feel confident and happy.
For example, do they love the softness of cotton or the cozy feel of fleece? Maybe they have a strong preference for clothes with their favorite cartoon characters or vibrant patterns.
By understanding your child’s preference, you can be more intentional in selecting the right stores and finding the perfect outfits for them.
Stick to a set number of outfits
Take into consideration factors like laundry frequency, your child’s activities, and weather conditions. I personally have found that having about 7-10 outfits per season works well for my 9 year-old son.
Once you’ve settled on the number, jot down the essential items your child needs for each outfit. Take note of the clothes your child doesn’t like wearing, so you can stop buying them in the future. For instance, I stopped getting button-down shirts since my son hardly ever wore them. I also buy more sweatpants instead of jeans because of his preference.
With a fixed number of outfits to stick to, you’ll develop a routine of checking your child’s wardrobe before hitting the stores. Instead of aimlessly looking for what’s cute and what’s on sale, you will stay focused and intentional while shopping.
Buy less, but better quality
Having fewer clothes means they’ll be worn and washed more frequently. Consider investing in better quality materials so they can endure frequent washes.
Investing in cotton tees may cost more initially but they’ll pay off in the long run because they stand up better against wear and tear (and lots of washes!). Plus, if a piece is made with higher-quality materials, it’s bound to look better too.
Overall, you still save money by buying fewer clothes and wearing them more often to get your money’s worth.
do “NOT” shop ahead
When you see some really good deals when shopping for kids’ clothes, it’s really easy to get tempted to shop ahead for bigger sizes. After all, your child will eventually grow into bigger sizes, and why not take advantage of the sales?
While you might think it’s a smart idea to buy ahead during sales, unless you are super organized and meticulously keep track of what you’ve bought, you could easily forget which styles and future sizes are already bought.
This results in having multiple items of the same sizes and styles, and your child will end up with more clothes than they actually need. Additionally, your child’s taste and style are likely to evolve as they grow. They might not like the colors or patterns anymore by the time the clothes fit.
To prevent the above-mentioned problems from happening, just shop for your child’s current size. Don’t worry about missing a big sale. Nowadays, sales happen frequently throughout the year. I’m sure that when you are ready to purchase your child’s new size, there will be a sale coming very soon.
Limit the number of stores you shop
This is a great way to save time, stay focused, and be intentional.
When you narrow down your options, you are less likely to be overwhelmed with so many different price points, qualities, and materials. Additionally, if you only stick to few stores, you become more familiar with the stores’ styles, quality, and sizing, which makes shopping more efficient.
Make a List Before You Shop
The best way to stay on track when shopping for your kids is to make a list before you go. This will help ensure that you stick to the items you actually need and don’t get tempted by the “cute” but unnecessary items.
Before making a list, check your child’s closet for any pieces of clothes they’ve outgrown, or need replacing due to wear-and-tear.
Also think about the types of clothing your child needs for any upcoming events or activities they have planned in the near future. In addition, explore in advance for some new trends that your child might want to try out.
Conclusion:
In summary, shopping for kids’ clothes with intention brings lots of good stuff. First off, it saves money – you spend thoughtfully and avoid unnecessary costs. It also makes decluttering a breeze, keeping your home nice and organized. Plus, you and your little one can get ready faster in the morning.
To be intentional while shopping, here are some easy steps: check out what your child likes to wear, stick to a specific number of outfits, go for quality over quantity, don’t shop too far ahead, make a shopping list, and keep the number of stores you visit in check. These steps make sure you’re not just buying clothes but creating a wardrobe that suits your child’s style and makes life a bit simpler.
