Top Tips for Buying Baby Clothes

Use these six guidelines when purchasing clothes for babies to avoid being left with expensive garments your little one wore just once.

Many people enjoy giving baby clothes as presents, but they usually buy the small sizes that won’t fit for long. Take advantage of this by not buying too many before your baby is born, then buy wisely to get the best value for money.

1. Always choose one size ahead of your baby’s actual age. Sizes can be on the small side and babies grow quickly. Most 6-month-old babies can wear clothes size 9–12 months, 1-year-olds wear size 2 and so on. But do take account of the season – lightweight summer clothes are no use in the winter, and vice versa.

2. When sales shopping, get clothes for the coming months. If your child is 9 months old in January, buy clothes for 18–24 months in anticipation of the following winter. In ‘expensive’ baby shops, head for the sale rails – there’s nearly always one in Baby Gap, and bargains of up to 50% off – sometimes more – can be had.

3. Be selective when buying up-market babywear. There’s little point in paying top price for vests, plain tops or tights, for example – just mix in cheaper labels with some branded goods and you’ll give the impression of full designer wear but pay a fraction of the cost.

4. If you are tempted by expensive clothing for your baby, consider whether it is good value for money. Trousers and practical dresses may be worn enough to justify the outlay, but avoid paying top price for an outfit for special occasions – it might only get one airing. See if you can borrow a special occasion outfit instead.

5. For some real bargains, go along to nearly new sales and secondhand babywear shops. Babies grow very quickly and favorite clothes are often outgrown long before they’re worn out. You can benefit from what other people have had to throw out; some items may still carry the original shop tag, indicating that they’ve never been worn.

6. Good deals can be had on baby.shop.ebay.com. You’ll find secondhand and brand new designer baby clothes being sold for next to nothing.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest