It's tricky to find children's clothing which is stylish yet affordable. That's obvious, right? I still struggle with it all of the time. These kids keep growing up (and out of their clothes every few months). So while I would love to deck them out in Janie & Jack or Mini Boden or such, we simply can't afford to. (Though I do splurge once a year on a holiday dress for Sylvia and sweater for Hayden at Janie & Jack, because they always photograph so well and are very well made.) On the flip side, there are some affordable and well-made clothes for kids that are just absolutely without imagination. So where to shop?
Most of my kids' clothes come from Old Navy, The Gap and Target. I buy a few staple pieces from The Gap, though I often wait until they go on sale. I LOVE their cardigan sweaters for both boys and girls, as well as their cotton button-up shirts. But I save some cash by buying their jeans and most of their shirts and sweaters at Old Navy, Target and occasionally Fred Meyer or Sears (for Lee or Levi's). The girls' selections are better than the boys at Old Navy (I'm just not into Old Navy logos or skulls all over everything), and I'm often surprised how much I like what they have to offer. Sears is great for a few Land's End items (classic styles, though not terribly creative). The best part about shopping at Sears for kid's clothing is that if the item wears out (think holes in the knees of their jeans), you can exchange them for a new pair).
Old-school t-shirts from Old Navy / Madras Shirt from The Gap
I used to be a fan of Gymboree but their style has become too precious in my opinion. I'm more attracted to their sister brand, Crazy 8 (maybe because items are about a third to a half of the price of Gymboree's).
Which brings us to Target (one of my favorite places to shop). Their selection may not be large, but what they have is pretty cool and the prices are quite reasonable. I like their lines Genuine Kids from Osh Kosh, Paul Frank for Target, and some of the Cherokee items. There are some great pants and sweatshirts for boys by Shaun White (pro snowboarder), and their DwellStudio line for newborns cannot be missed! The latest, a temporary line for girls by Liberty of London will keep flying off the shelves as well. I was fortunate enough to pick up a to-die-for romper and summer dress for Sylvia yesterday (both pieces just $14.99 each). If you can't make it into a store, shop online.
Liberty of London line for Target
I have to sprinkle into their wardrobes a few pieces from Tea Collection, and some small labels. Local independent children's stores are great for these, though their numbers are unfortunately shrinking. (West Seattle's Mill Creek Town Center's Lil Lads-n-Lasses just closed their doors last weekend.) Try Bella & Max in Bothell's Country Village if you're on the Eastside, and schedule your child's haircut while you're there. There are also some great independent websites (try Oliebollen), and a great source for children's clothing and toys at big discounts is the new Zulily (a free sign-up gets you on their email list and notified of their "events").
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