Buying kids' clothes in advance conundrum

[Primarystress]

So a friend is selling clothes on fb that will fit my child in 2 years' or so time. Works out as £2 an item, decent brands such as Next, no postage would be required. Clothes shouldn't date. I have garage storage available, although my house is filled with clutter and we are actively trying to reduce it, as it's been getting me down. Budget is also tight for everything. In my situation, would you buy the clothes? Thanks for advice!

[EmpressJewel]

No, I wouldn't, as you have given two important reasons not to:

1. clutter - you wrote that it was getting you down. Focus on decluttering, not adding to the clutter. Do you really want to be storing clothes that won't be needed for two years?
   
   
2. money - if your budget is tight, then you are better off using the money for things you need now rather than storing for two years time. Your friend is likely to be selling the items for a similar price as other sellers anyway, so you should be able to pick up bundles for a similar price when you need them.

[AuntieStella]

You didn't say how old your DC is, but do also bear in mind that some DC have quite strong opinions from surprisingly early on about what they actually want to wear. A stockpile of things they don't like, or are out of season for when they're the right size, or are duplicates of other hand-me-downs/bargains, isn't necessarily the best way to clothes your DC on a budget.

There will be other bundles, or individual items, for sale online or on a free site, or in charity shops, or just from other friends that you might make over the next couple of years.

[PotteringAlong]

No. Good quality second hand clothes bundles are available frequently. Buy them when you need them.

[Marley45]

Hmmm I wouldn’t no. I do buy the next size / season in advance if I see something I like but wouldn’t two years in advance.
You say that you’ve got too much stuff as it is. I wouldn’t add to that.
Could you get a couple of bits that you really like?

[Primarystress]

Ok thanks all, you've helped me see sense! There is nothing 'outstanding' there, so think I'll leave it.

[BikeRunSki]

You are assuming your dc will wear them! I have been given many hand me due s in the last for DD (nearly 7). Lovely stuff too, nice brands, good quality. Unfortunately, she’s very strong willed, and refuses to wear pink, glitter. Flappy trousers, skinny trousers, jeans of any description, skirts, dresses, leggings, tights, frills or sequins, so most of these clothes have been passed on again, without being worn by her. She has been like this since she was about 3. It’s largely to do with comfort. She hates the feel of fabric clinging to her legs, or the bulk of flappy trousers (straight leg joggers). The colour/glitter etc is her stubborn mindedness I think and nit wanting to be seen as “girly” (therein lies a whole other story).


In DS’s case, i’ve had stuff stashed that he has never fitted in the right season.

I’ll buy up to a year in advance, but not more..

[TheClitterati]

I get into this kind of thing in my own life! It's craziness 😀.

Keep telling yourself, there will be more cheap 2nd hand clothes available when you need them.

And keep getting stuff out!

[Oly5]

I would but I have had a lot of success with doing this with my own kids. I have a cupboard full of kids’ clothes bought a year or two in advance. I’ve done this since they were babies so I could take advantage of half price clothes in sales. My kids are 6, 4 and 1 and it works so far. I’m sure they’ll get an opinion at some point and I’ll stop!

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

I wouldn't. My dds have strong ideas on what they will wear and have done since being toddlers. I have even stopped keeping the majority of dd1's clothes as dd2 just doesn't like them.

Basics such as school uniform and waterproofs I have as they are expensive and not many different varieties.