When people think about all the things that come with parenting, it usually is about diapering, choosing a good school system, as well as feeding schedules. It’s true, those are part of parenting, but there are also other parts too—including choosing the right clothing store for your child.
Most parents know that “clothes make the kid.” How a child feels in his or her clothing will make a huge impact on how they feel at school. At times, choosing the right clothes can be your kid’s ticket to popularity and a healthy upbringing. It’s not nice to think about, but it’s true.
It all comes down to the right store. Are you looking for the right “go-to” store for your kids’ clothing? This guide will help you find the best online children’s clothing store in a pinch…
Tip #1: Listen to your kids.
Children at school can be very cruel, and some schools are a bit worse than others when it comes to bullying. If your child is begging you for clothing from a specific store because other kids are bullying them for not having a specific item, get the clothes they ask for.
More often than not, your kids will not lie about things like that. It may be best to consider this a form of protection for your kids rather than something you should fight them on.
Tip #2: Don’t be afraid to let your kids stand out (in a good way).
Fashion is all about letting your kids shine. It’s about flaunting what you have in a good way, and that means that you shouldn’t hesitate to let your kids steal the spotlight. Kids love to be able to flaunt clothing they like—and that means that trendy clothing is IN!
Think about it this way: you want to have pictures of your kids that will make them smile in the future. Having a trendy wardrobe is a great way to make them smile when they see photos of themselves younger. You want them to say, “Man, I loved that trend. I looked so good in it!”
The best way to do this is to look for stores that specialize in trendy childrens’ clothing. Low-end retailers like Wal-Mart are not going to cut it!
Tip #3: Clothing that’s easy is clothing you desire.
Not all children's clothing stores have clothing that’s easy to put on. For some reason, there are some stores that seem to think that children still need to be dressed up in Victorian-style dresses or hard-to-button pantsuits from the 80s.
Today, no one has time to button up, tuck, and starch all those kids’ clothing. A clothing store for children needs to be realistic about what kids wear and what kids do. They’re all over the place, playing. They’re having fun at school. If you’re talking about baby clothes, then you may have to deal with a fussy baby.
The best clothes for kids are going to be clothes that are easy to put on, easy to take off, and easy to maintain. Find a baby clothing store that works with easy brands, and you’re already halfway to victory.
Tip #4: Make a point of avoiding clothing that falls apart at the seams.
A lot of childrens clothing stores and baby clothing stores seem to enjoy capitalizing off the idea that kids will grow out of clothing fairly quickly. While this is true, that’s no excuse for cheaply made goods that could literally fall apart while your child’s playing with friends.
Well-made clothes are clothes your kid will be happy to wear. They also tend to be ideal for hand-me-downs, which is incredibly important if you have kids who are siblings. Unfortunately, many places don’t sell clothes that are meant to last.
No one wants to be the parent who buys a “bargain” that they have to pay for twice or three times over for a simple piece of clothing. It’s foolish and the sooner you learn that clothes are best purchased once, the better.
PRO TIP - Good childrens’ clothing brands will not skimp on materials. If the clothing feels itchy, scratchy, or unusually thin, it’s not a good clothing item. Soft is best, especially for babies.
Tip #5: Do think about the future.
Did you ever meet a parent who had so many outfits that didn’t quite fit by the time that their child wears them? It’s an issue that can happen, particularly to parents who get flooded by gifts for their child’s baby shower.
Your best bet for a child’s clothing store is to look for a store that grows with your kid. Your baby might be precious and small now but she won’t stay that tiny for much longer. Ideally, you’ll be able to use that store for at least six years before you have to move onto others.
Tip #6: Keep an eye out for sales, offers, and loyalty rewards.
While it is important to choose a clothing store that offers quality, it’s also important to get a store that is kind to your wallet. It’s a fine line to walk, and that’s a place where most children’s stores fail.
A lot of luxury children’s clothing stores tend to be the type where you get great clothes but they’re never on sale. Clearance children’s outfits, even for babies, can be out of the question. So, it’s a double-edged sword with them.
Thankfully, stores like Made2Be make it possible for parents to get the luxury their kids want without having to break the bank. We have amazing kids clothing sales plus a perennially-popular clearance section.
Don’t be afraid to look at sites to find out if they have special sales, unique offers for customers, or a mailing list. It’s the easiest way to make sure that you get the full span of discounts for your kids’ clothing.
Tip #7: Stick to stores that have good customer service.
This is extremely important, especially if your child is in that weird stage of childhood where they shoot up in height like sprouts. You might order a pair of pants or a onesie, only to find out that your kid has grown since it’s been ordered. Or, maybe just the sizes weren’t quite right.
Too many online children’s clothing stores tend to have a problem with customer service. No one wants to deal with having to track down an email representative who takes weeks to respond, or who simply won’t help you exchange items.
Take a look at the store’s online reviews before you consider going to them for your child’s clothing. If you notice a lot of complaints about customer service, it may be best to avoid buying from them.
PRO TIP - Many people will take to a store’s Instagram if they cannot reach out to them. If you notice a lot of complaints on their social media, this should be an automatic red flag.
Tip #8: Don’t be afraid to ask around.
A lot of the best childrens’ stores are not going to be mainstream—not quite yet, anyway. They tend to be the ones where parents go when they want something stylish for their child that no one else on the block has.
If you have a friend in your parenting group who always seems to have the most adorable clothes, don’t be afraid to ask them where they got their threads. Few parents will want to keep a secret like that. It’s a bragging right to be able to say that you’ve had people ask you where your kids’ clothing comes from.
Tip #9: If you notice certain brands that catch your eye on Instagram, check out some of their retailers.
Let’s just face it. Social media is one of the best places to find stylish clothing for kids—or at the very least, keep abreast of the newest trends of the year. Trendy childrens’ clothing always steals the spotlight online, and as a parent, you’ll probably have it pop up on your feed fairly frequently.
If you notice specific brands that you like, such as MIA NYC or Minikid, find out what online retailers sell them. It’s an easy way to make sure that you get the brands you trust from a retailer that they’ve deemed worthy.
Tip #10: Don’t underestimate the power of being able to get fast delivery from online stores.
As a parent, we don’t have to tell you how fast kids can grow. Being able to order your kids’ clothes with two-day shipping can make a huge difference. This is especially true when you’re shopping for a special event.
Tip #11: When you find a quality store, make sure to bookmark it.
If you want to make sure that you remember a place, bookmark it and sign up for their email list. Good stores aren’t easy to find, you know! That’s why we at Made 2 Be Kid love to connect great parents with great clothes. We’re cool like that.
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