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Step 1
Shop at yard sales, thrift stores or consignment stores to get clothes at a fraction of their original purchase price. Of those, yard sales are usually the cheapest (but it will take you more gasoline to drive from sale to sale looking for what you need). Thrift stores are usually less expensive than private consignment stores; however, be sure to look at items carefully. I often find flaws on items that at first glance looked great. Check seams and buttons. Consignment stores are usually the most expensive but their items are usually looked over well to avoid flaws.
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Step 2
Online consignment stores and auction sites (like Ebay) are a great place to look for specific items or buy a large lot of clothes to finish out your child’s wardrobe. Remember to figure shipping costs into the price, as that can make what seemed like a really good deal not so good.
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Step 3
Craigslist.com can be a good place to find children’s clothes. People often include photos if they are selling individual items, or some list a whole box or bag for a set price. Remember to be careful when going to other peoples’ homes to pick up items.
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Step 4
Post a request for clothing on your local Freecycle. You can also post a wanted ad on the community bulletin board of your local grocery store. Again, exercise care when going to people’s home to pick up items.
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Step 5
Set up a clothing exchange party with friends. Everyone can bring the clothing their child has outgrown and set up tables full for everyone to go through. Make some ground rules such as one can only take as many items as they bring. Also, draw numbers to figure out who will get to look through the clothing first.
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Step 6
Sell your child’s outgrown clothes at a consignment store or consignment sale. Put that money toward buying your child’s new wardrobe.
