Buying Cheap Kids Clothes: Store Sales and Clearance Schedule

As frugal parents, we all want to spend less money on kids’ clothes.  Planning ahead and buying kids’ clothes in advance is a thrifty way to get more for your money.
We already talked about how to save 90% off kids’ clothes by shopping thrift stores out of season.  To make this strategy work, you’ll have to make an estimate of what size your child will be wearing at a certain point in time.  Always guess a bigger size instead of smaller, and if the clothes happen to be a bit too big, they’ll be able to grow into them.
The store sales and clearance schedule below lists the best times and places to buy kids’ clothes for the best price.  “Do not buy” indicates when the clothes will be at their highest prices of the year.  Bookmark or print out this list for future reference.

Kids’ School Clothes

Buy long-sleeved shirts, jeans, pants, sweaters and other fall / winter type kids’ clothes in spring and summertime.  The best time to buy school clothes is March, April, or May, when stores are trying to make room for summer clothes.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: spring and summer.
• Do not buy: August or September.
• Retail store clearance time: March, April, May.

Halloween Costumes

For the best prices on kids’ Halloween costumes, look for them to appear at thrift stores all year round or at garage sales during the summer.  Consignment stores and kids’ consignment sales are a great source for cheap Halloween costumes as well. Last year I took advantage of the few days after Halloween on the Party City website. Their costumes were 75% off and since I was buying them for homeschool, I stocked up on sizes for historical costumes. Some costume parts cost as low as 75 cents!

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: November-August.
• Do not buy: September or October.
• Retail store clearance time: November 1st-7th or until supply runs out

Christmas Costumes and Themed Outfits

Retail stores start putting out cute kids’ Christmas outfits, like Santa suits and elf costumes, around Thanksgiving time, but you’ll pay the highest prices possible if you buy them then and there.  eBay stores have super clearance sales on kids’ Christmas clothing the week after Christmas.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: January-September.
• Do not buy: November and December.
• Retail store clearance time: December 26th until supply runs out.

Christmas and Holiday Dresses and Suits

Watch for holiday suits and dresses year round at thrift stores and in eBay auctions to get the best price.  A fantastic time to shop for discounted formal wear is at the end of the summer wedding season on eBay or in Facebook sale group and Craigslist ads.  At that time, all the kids’ suits and dresses from being in the wedding party are cheap to buy 2nd hand from people that no longer need them.
For teens and women, another good time to find cheap formal dresses is after prom season. Check eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook sale groups starting in April or May (after the proms are over in your area) and into summer vacation for girls trying to clear their prom stuff out of the closet for some extra cash. College girls will also be selling shorter dresses from formals during summer vacation, so you can get some great deals. Don’t count on getting cheap tuxedos though; most boys rent their tux and won’t be selling any.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: January-October for kids’ formal wear, June-October for prom dresses.
• Do not buy: November or December.
• Retail store clearance time: December 26th – 2nd week of January, or until supply is sold out, May and June for prom gowns and formal dresses.

Winter Gear

Kids’ coats, snowpants, snowsuits, gloves, hats, ear muffs, and scarves may appear at thrift stores out of season at unbelievably low prices.  You can get them for as low as 25 cents each in the off season. Check bagged items (in which similar small items are bagged together for one low price) at the thrift store for cheap gloves and hats.  Also check garage and yard sales during summer for cheap deals on kids’ winter gear.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: spring and summer.
• Do not buy: August-December.
• Retail store clearance time: As early as December, with deep discounts appearing in March and April to make room for summer gear.

Easter Dresses and Suits, Church Clothes

Formal dresses and suits for kids can be very expensive, almost matching the prices of adults’ clothes!  Just like holiday formal wear, the best time to shop for discounted kids’ Easter clothes or church clothes is at the end of the summer wedding season.  The formal kids’ dresses and suits from weddings are usually high-quality and made from heavy-duty fabrics that will hold up well to heavy wear.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: End of summer through early fall.
• Do not buy: November, December, March or April.
• Retail store clearance time: Week after Christmas, week after Easter.

Summer Clothes

Tank tops, swim suits, shorts, capris, and summer dresses are best bought out of season at consignment shops or sales and thrift stores.  Garage sales in summer are a great place to find kids’ summer clothes for as low as 25 cents each!  Around back to school time or early winter, check Craigslist and eBay for huge lots of kids’ summer clothes for rock-bottom prices from parents who are decluttering to make room in the closet for school clothes.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: Fall and winter.
• Do not buy: Spring or summer.
• Retail store clearance time: Fall, back to school time.