How far ahead do you buy?

[Lyndee]

How far ahead do you buy clothing?

I think I've only bought up to one year ahead.

[harmonielyn]

Madison is 15 months and I have clothes up to 4T only because they were less than a $1 at the end of year clearance. If anything she can use this clothes to play in. I love shopping end of the year clearance and Ive had to stop myself from buying things that wont fit her until past the next year. If its a good enough deal Ill buy it and pack it away.

Its alot easier for summer clothes because she'll probably wear every size. We have warm days 10 out of 12 months a year.

[Eva]

I don't buy that far ahead. Emma is 18 months and wears 12-18 months and i am buying her 18-24 months for Summer and have bought a few items in 2T or 24 Months for the Fall. Since I have a small child I am hesitant in buying too far ahead.

[Nocona]

I buy for the next year at the end of the season. Knock wood, I've guessed right so far.

[sabrina]

I am buying tomorrow ahead for Emma about 2-3 years. Strasburg children is having a great sale on their clearance items starting tomorrow and I went through the rack and put a bunch of stuff on hold. I was able to get her Christmas dress for around $25 (original price was around $90). It is black velvet with an ivory bow and trim on it. I picked up several dresses for the next few years. They are long and she is so skinny that she will be able to wear them for several years to come. Usually I try to buy for at least a year ahead. If I find something that is just a great deal that is out of that window that is fine but I try not to go overboard with stuff.

[asta]

Sam is only 2 months old, and I have bought things for him up to 2T (just one item that big). Like Harmonie, I buy things on clearance, and I tend to buy things that are season-neutral to our area. I figure sweats in New England are like summer clothes in Louisianna--even in July there are some pretty cool nights! I got something like 7 pieces of clothing for less than $20 at Target a few weeks ago--can't pass that up! Plus, I figure if he never wears them, we hope to have at least one more child, and if future children don't wear them, there's always Ebay!

[TtownAnne]

I generally only buy 1-2 seasons ahead, unless there is a SUPREME deal that I can't pass up. So right now I'm buying spring/summer things. I haven't gotten used to the fact yet that she's not growing as ridiculously fast as she did during baby-time (she used to go through 2 sizes a season! :eek: ) But recently I bought a size 6 Christmas dress that was only $8 at Marshalls (green velvet, beading, etc. :aok: ) and my mom bought her a size 5 winter coat for $12.

[kim]

i buy a year ahead for tony all the time.

right now with gianna, i'm guessing she'll be in 18-24 for next winter so i'm stocking up on my favorite gymboree items that are on clearance. i'm not buying too much summer since my mom bought her a ton of stuff at the end of last summer. it's all 12-18 so let's :crossfing it's the right size.

[harmonielyn]

Oh and Madison is 15 months now and still wearing 12 month clothes (she just moved INTO some 12 month clothes). So 4T is a ways away. At this rate she'll be 6 wearing size 4T. :lol:

[Lette]

I've been buying for next winter and totally guessing at that.

Ben is in 24 months now, so I'm guessing 3T because he's a boy.

Now Lexie is very confusing. :scratch: I have no idea what size she'll be!! She's in a sturdy 3 right now, except some pants are long because she's short for her age.

I've been buying 4's in Gymboree stuff, but now I'm wondering if she'll need a 5.
Or will she grow slower? :crazy:

Can anyone help??

[Jillian]

Except for yard sales (when it is like .25 a piece) I haven't bought ahead for Janelle at all yet...I think I may be safe in buying anything 18-24 months and up and just assuming she'll be able to wear it in every season, cause so far with the exception of preemie and 0-3 she has worn every size in every season. Like, she started wearing 12-18 months last October and she is still wearing it now without any signs she is going to outgrow it soon...I figure around October is when she will finally grow into 18-24. But I keep assuming she HAS to have a growth spurt some day...so I'm not brave enough to do it.

For Caid I bought ahead this winter for next winter with the assumption that he would start wearing clothes at the right times...but now I'm not so sure...he grew into 12m clothes at 5 months old...but now he is 10 1/2 months old and still isn't really close to outgrowing them...so I'm thinking I might of bought wrong...but I bought him 6 1-piece long sleeved/long pants gymbo outfits in 18-24 for next winter and a couple pant/sweater combos in 12-18 for next winter, so we will see what fits. I still have no summer clothes for him cause I sold off his last years summer stuff when he was growing so fast, and now I think I have to re-buy 12m summer clothes for this year.

[Karri]

I've been buying a year ahead and so far, my kids haven't done me wrong :lol: They all seem to be very true to size (once I take into account N&E's 2 month adjustment), except for Aidan's top half. He's in a 4T or 5 there b/c of his long torso. He went through that growth spurt over a year ago, though, so now we're fine and its just a size every year.

[Bonnie]

Caroline is 2 1/2. I buy one to two years ahead depending on how good the deal is or how much I like the stuff... But, now I have tons and tons of stuff in sizes 3 and 4, so I am for the most part off shopping ahead unless I find something outstanding! For the most part, Courtney is going to get Caroline's stuff, but I still buy some things ahead for her... but usually only a size ahead, since she is so small, and I have tons of things to pass on to her anyway it would be a waste to buy too much ahead for her.

[Carla]

If I see something I like at a deal I can't pass up, I buy it. I have stuff for both kids in sizes they won't be in for years, but it's mostly stuff that can be worn any season. I am hesititant about things like snowsuits as they are so season specific, although I did buy one for Shaylee next year that ended up being about 70% off after all the discounts :). It's gender neutral so it can be used for future kids too (it's sized 18-24 months).

[Trish]

I tend to usually only buy a year or so ahead and have gotten some great end of the season deals that way :aok: Both of my kids have been pretty true to size, with the exception of Evan being a tad small for his size.

[Colleen]

Avery grew slower than expected, and Sabrina has grown faster than expected. So, at this point, I'm not buying too far ahead unless the store I am buying from has a very lenient return policy.

[Cortney]

On average I buy ahead a year or so. :)

[aylhu]

I really struggle NOT to buy very far ahead. I never know what size they'll be! Previous guesses have been wrong. But sometimes the bargain shopper in me takes over and I get something! Not more than half a year out, though.

[Jillian]

Except for yard sales (when it is like .25 a piece) I haven't bought ahead for Janelle at all yet...I think I may be safe in buying anything 18-24 months and up and just assuming she'll be able to wear it in every season, cause so far with the exception of preemie and 0-3 she has worn every size in every season.


Well I did it, I bought her a couple paper lantern outfits in 18-24, and I am 100% confident that they will not be too small next winter...but with potty training, the pants could be too big. :(

I also bought her a size 3 long sleeved dress...which she will be able to wear in, umm, a long long time...I figure about 3-4 years.

[Nanley]

I'm too chicken to buy more than a season or so ahead. I just bought a bunch of stuff for summer, and I'm already second-guessing the size I bought. :rolleyes:

Kate