How We Save Money on Kids’ Clothes: Clara’s Wardrobe Tips

One of the most common questions we get on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter when we post photos is not “what paint color is that?” or “who makes that lamp?” — it’s “where did you get that shirt/dress/skirt?” People aren’t asking about me or John — they’re asking about Clara. We’ve had a lot of requests to share how we find deals, save money, and choose kids’ clothes, so here’s a clear rundown of what works for us, illustrated by photos we’ve shared over time.

It might feel odd to analyze a two-year-old’s wardrobe in such detail, but after a couple of years of dressing a tiny person we’ve picked up practical habits that save time and money. We also learned things the hard way that we now avoid — hopefully these tips help other parents who want a smarter, simpler kids’ wardrobe strategy.

Most of Clara’s clothing comes from four main sources:

1. Hand-me-downs from family and neighbors
2. Old Navy (clearance rack and coupons)
3. Target (clearance rack)
4. H&M (great dresses and summer pieces)

We also accept gifts and occasionally shop at other outlets like Carter’s, but the bulk of her closet is these four sources. For example, the dress pictured above came from Target’s clearance rack — a birthday gift from John’s sister that cost around $6. Because dresses are single pieces, they often provide better value than buying separate tops and bottoms.

Here’s an H&M dress we bought for $12. At first that price felt high to me, but Clara has worn it frequently through the summer. When you calculate cost per wear, a slightly pricier but well-used item can be a great investment, especially if it can be handed down later.

Clara rewears favorite outfits often — one week she might pet goats in a dress, and a few weeks later she’ll play at home in the same outfit. Reusing pieces reduces the need for an excessive number of garments and keeps laundry manageable.

One simple pairing that works well is: a colorful, blousey top plus basic jeggings or dark jeans — or a bright skirt or colored jeans paired with a classic top. That “mix a bold piece with a basic” formula makes outfit creation fast and often eliminates the need to buy lots of matching bottoms. It also helps prevent a drawer full of mismatched sale items that never get worn.

For instance, a gap clearance skirt plus an Old Navy white top cost about $7 total and has been a go-to combination. Another favorite is a playful printed tee paired with a soft ruffled skirt (hand-me-down) — simple, sweet, and very wearable.

We also rely on a few reliable pieces we know fit and flatter Clara. For example, an Old Navy blousy top that cost around $8 pairs effortlessly with jeggings or jeans so we don’t need to hunt for specific bottoms that “match.” That reduces impulse buys and keeps her rotation cohesive.

Another score came from an outlet: patterned bottoms with a basic top for under $10 total. Clara has worn that combo many times, proving that inexpensive finds can get lots of use when they fit into your wardrobe formula.

We aim for about 10–12 “good outfits” in regular rotation. That number suits our weekly laundry routine and the fact that most days Clara wears one outfit all day. Instead of buying lots of cheap pieces, we focus on items we’ll actually reach for. Before buying anything, I ask: will this be in our favorite drawer, or will it end up rarely worn?

Early on we bought more quantity — grabbing t-shirt deals — but over time we learned it’s better to prioritize pieces that mix and match well and that she loves wearing. That mindset saves money and reduces clutter.

Size labels can be misleading. If an item labeled “12 months” still fits comfortably, we keep using it. Conversely, if something is a bit big, we try creative adjustments — like converting a strap so a dress fits now and next year — to extend wear. These small hacks add real value without extra spending.

Clara also has a favorite pair of shoes — pink Crocs — which she prefers almost all the time. Recognizing a child’s preferred items prevents wasted purchases. Instead of buying multiple styles she won’t wear, we pair her favorites with many outfits and accept that comfort and preference matter more than a perfect color match.

We use coupons whenever possible and keep track of stores where specific sizes run true. For us that’s saved both money and frustration — for example, knowing when to buy 3T versus 2T pajamas means fewer returns and more usable clothing between growth spurts.

Comfort plus cuteness is our guiding principle. For us the sweet spot is roughly $6–$12 per outfit when considering how often items get worn and whether they’ll last through the season. Practical priorities like jeans/jeggings for cooler months and dresses for summer keep the wardrobe functional and photo-ready.

Clara loves shopping with us — she especially likes the family display at Old Navy and runs to see the mannequins. Capturing moments like sharing a checked shirt with her dad or watching her prefer pink shoes make the whole effort worthwhile. We dress her for her comfort and personality, and let practicality guide purchases.

That’s our Clara clothing guide: stick to a few reliable stores, favor one-piece outfits like dresses for value, pair bold pieces with basics, use hand-me-downs, ignore strict size labels when fit is still good, and keep the rotation small but well-loved. What are your favorite kids’ clothing stores and money-saving tricks? Do you have a magic number of outfits that keeps your life simple?

Note: a reader recently sent a suggestion for a beautiful beach house that I’ve been daydreaming about — it was a lovely tip, and I’ve kept the page open for days.