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Original poster

Do you advance buy clothes for your kids for the next couple of years?

76 replies

GingerBreadTeddy · 20/08/2021 21:24

I’m an avid secondhand shopper & can’t resist a bargain!

My DD is 3 but I already have some (not loads) clothes for ages 5/6 - I don’t specifically look for them but if I see a bargain or something I love I sometimes buy it and put it aside. She’s very tall so to be fair is already in age 4 clothes.

Appreciate not everyone could afford to do this, but wondering if it’s common or if I am a bit crazy?

I won’t buy too far ahead as appreciate she’ll reach a point where she wants to choose for herself.

OP posts:

bloodywhitecat · 20/08/2021 21:26

I do but I am a foster parent so I like to keep a good selection of clothes for all the ages I foster.

bookish83 · 20/08/2021 21:27

I do!
I also buy two of an item if I love it so we have it in the next size up too.
The issue is when they grow slower though as some summer items this year were too big, and might be too small by next summer

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 20/08/2021 21:29

Mine are almost 5 and 3 and I buy for the year ahead in the sales/eBay I'm trying this year to buy much less as dc1 starts school so will need less normal clothes and dc2 just has too much as has all of dc1 plus what I bought for her.

I think there will come a time soon that they'll get an opinion on their own clothes and buying ahead won't work as well.

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OverTheWater · 20/08/2021 21:31

I buy one size ahead, ds is nearly 3 and I have 3-4 already lined up. He's small and not long out of his 18-24 month things.

Good second hand bundles on marketplace sell very quickly round here so I don't want to leave it too late! And plain clothes won't date, we can buy a few bits of current favourite cartoon character clothing to add in.

Mintjulia · 20/08/2021 21:31

I always keep a couple of bits in the next size. Ds has a history of growth spurts.

kowari · 20/08/2021 21:32

I did one size up when DS was little, then the next even numbered size when he was older, so an age 8 to grow into when he was in an age 6 (no need for the odd sizes at that age). So clothes to wear, and another set (or at least the basics) to grow into. I didn't buy multiple sizes ahead though.

Toottooot · 20/08/2021 21:33

All the time. When they have far too many clothes in their current size if there’s something I really like I’ll buy it in the next size. Also if I’m looking to buy in the current size and it’s not available in their size I’ll size up.

Usual2usual · 20/08/2021 21:34

When they were babies yes but they are 8 and 5 now and have quite specific taste. DD(5) in particular would not be happy if she didn't get a say in her clothes.

I suppose it depends on what you buy though.

lljkk · 20/08/2021 21:34

Not much... styles change, kids form their own preferences, people know I like 2nd hand stuff so offer me 2nd hand items.

MuchTooTired · 20/08/2021 21:34

I don’t. I’m not organised enough, would forget about it and find the clothes once they’ve outgrown the size or they’d go up a size and half the clothes I’d bought would be the wrong season!

I did before they were born, but the above happened

firstimemamma · 20/08/2021 21:34

I do this too op!

minipie · 20/08/2021 21:35

Yes but maximum one year ahead as I’m reaching the age when DDs have strong views on clothes and unpredictable growth spurts. I tend to only do it if there’s something I love but it’s only available in bigger size.

muffindays · 20/08/2021 21:35

yes always a couple of years or more ahead, in charity shops, must save me a packet! If it's good quality I will have it. Jeans, 1.99 - Tshirts £1 - jumpers £2! I have enough for a year or two ahead, and saves the panic buy when he moves up an age. Also coats are a goodie, save a lot if you can find them second hand a year or so ahead. I try to only buy good quality nice stuff.

EmergencyHydrangea · 20/08/2021 21:35

I might not have done if not for covid but we got half way through lock down and nothing fit her, the shops were shut and online delivery was either not happening or taking weeks, so I will now!

christinarossetti19 · 20/08/2021 21:39

I used to do this - charity shops, hand me downs and ebay esp out of season eg winter costs in summer.

They're teens now, so no way.

Make the most of it, just don't put them in the cupboard and forget about them!

bonbonours · 20/08/2021 21:42

I used to do this occasionally especially if I saw something beautiful second hand that they would grow into. The most extreme was I bought a Monsoon dress aged 10 when my daughter was 3. You'd be surprised how quickly it comes round that the clothes not only fit but they grow out of them 😢

onemouseplace · 20/08/2021 21:45

I used to do this and it worked when my DC were smaller, but I found that I ended up with some quite random stuff that wouldn’t get worn, so I tend to buy when I need to now.

HairyToity · 20/08/2021 21:45

I used to, but the 8 year old DD now likes to choose her own clothes. The 4 year old DS lives in his older cousins hand me downs.

qualitygirl · 20/08/2021 21:46

No god no...i couldn't think of anything worse than hoarding clothes until they fit!! No matter how cheap they are. I buy what they need as and when they need it.

HungryHippo11 · 20/08/2021 21:53

I don't buy years ahead unless I see something I really love at a great price. But I do buy ahead for the next year in the sales. I've just bought some summer stuff in 5-6 for my 4YO.

It means my kids are kitted out in great quality stuff for a fraction of the normal price.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 20/08/2021 21:53

I found if you start buying too early, you end up with more than you need and not necessarily the right stuff.

I've become more selective on keeping hand downs between DDs as well... they have different tastes and body shapes. Not everything is suitable.

HungryHippo11 · 20/08/2021 21:54

@Paddingtonsmarmlade

I think there will come a time soon that they'll get an opinion on their own clothes and buying ahead won't work as well.

I'm in exactly this position as well. 4 year old will mainly be wearing school uniform. She has already started to express an opinion on some clothes - only wanting dresses which spin for example 🙄

DGFB · 20/08/2021 21:58

Yes always, been doing it for years, always buy one and two years ahead. Will need to stop now my dcs are 10 and over as they have their own views. But worked brilliantly before - 90% of their clothes have been half price and all from great places!

Steelesauce · 20/08/2021 22:00

Nope, mine grow at weird rates. My 9yo went from age 7-8 clothes to 10-11 clothes in the space of 6 weeks after a huge growth spurt. They tend to stay the same for months then jump sizes so would be a waste of time!

Passthecake30 · 20/08/2021 22:04

I tend to buy joggers (ds) and leggings (dd) in the next size up too when they find something that they like as they keep growing and it’ll save me the stress in a couple of months!

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