How to Save on Children’s Clothing

THIS LINK will give you a $50 credit with Stitch Fix Kids!!

As school approaches, you may start thinking about whether or not your children need new (or used) clothing for fall. My first grader continues to grow taller and taller and I definitely needed to pick up a few items for her upcoming school year!

I typically get a mix of both new and used clothing for my children. While I am continually on the hunt for deals, I have figured out that some items I need to get either new or a higher quality brand. Especially if I want the clothing to last more than one kiddo. I get many of the basics from Target and fill in with other brands.

Today I want to share a few tips on how to save on your children’s clothing for back-to-school. I will share both stores and a few apps that help you capitalize on your savings. 

• Before you start shopping take inventory (get organized with this Clothing Shopping List printable) of what you already have! It’s easy to get caught up in great deals or cute styles. Take the time to make a list of what items you actually need.
• Think through the colors and patterns you are looking for. If you can easily mix and match the clothing, you will not need to purchase as many items. Consider getting a few fun patterns your child likes and fill in with solids and basic stripes. This year I found a few colorful items at Old Navy. I plan to stay within the same colors as I shop for the rest of my first grader’s fall/winter clothing.
• It will be too late for this fall, but remember to look at the clearance racks at the end of the season. Look through the summer clearance for next spring/summer’s clothing! You can often find clothing for just a few dollars.

ThredUP

ThredUP is an online consignment shop. They buy and sell high-quality secondhand clothing and accessories. Along with children’s clothing, they also have women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, and more. You can save up to 90% on the clothing. The search tool helps you find exactly what you are looking for. They also include a large amount of New with Tag items. Get $10 off your first order with ThredUP.

If you like the clothing you get from ThredUP join their referral program and share it with your friends. When your friend joins thredUP, they get $10 to spend. You also get $10 to shop after they place their first order. 

Rakuten (easy cash back when shopping online)

Rakuten (formerly eBates) gives you cash back when shopping online. If you purchase your child’s clothing online, make sure you log into ebates first! In just a few extra seconds you can get cash back on your purchases. It’s the easiest way to make a few extra bucks. (Or a lot if you are making a big purchase).

Before I make ANY purchase online I log into Rakuten first. I search for the website and find out if there is cash back available. There often is! (Today I typed in Old Navy, Gap, Macy’s, Lands’ End, Carter’s, Amazon, Children’s Place, and Hanna Andersson. They all had cash back…some as high as 8% back.)

Make sure you sign up for Rakuten before you start shopping for the holidays. If you shop online often in November and December, your cash back will add up quickly!

I just got a check for $24.40 in the mail this week. I purchased my contact lenses from Walgreens and received 8% back. All I had to do is type “Walgreens” into ebates and I received 8% back on a $200+ purchase!

Some sites give you 1%, 6%, 10%, or even 12% cash back just for going through the Rakuten site before you shop! You can get $10 to start you off here. (UPDATE: through August 6, 2020 you can get a $30 BONUS!!)

Stitch Fix

Try Stitch Fix for kids! My daughter and I both loved the clothing she got in her first Fix. Sizes range from 2T – 14. Each fix contains 8-12 items personalized for each child’s style and interests. Prices range from $10 – $35 per item. Shipping, returns, and exchanges are always free. Keep everything and get a 25% discount! No subscription required. 

THIS LINK will give you a $50 credit with Stitch Fix Kids!!

Prime Wardrobe

Try before you buy with Prime Wardrobe.

1. Fill a box
2. Try on at home. You have 7 days.
3. Check out and return! Returns are free with the pre-paid label.

Check out the Girl’s Prime Wardrobe clothing here and the Boy’s Prime Wardrobe clothing here.

Don’t understand how Prime Wardrobe works? Check out Prime Wardrobe here!

Target

Target is great for all the basics. I have been very happy with their Cat & Jack line as they actually fit my tall girls. If you shop at Target for your clothing, make sure you use the Cartwheel app to help you save even more. 

Target Cartwheel

Target Cartwheel is an app available to use at Target. It’s basically a pick-your-own-coupon app. You select the offers that you want and you get a discount. The list of discounts you can receive is extensive. Many of the deals are 5% or 10% off, but there are also deals from 20-50% off. (I do not remember seeing higher than 50%, but it’s possible there have been higher deals).

I often see deals on children’s clothing in Cartwheel. I recently saved 30% on Cat & Jack shirts. (There are also lots of non-clothing back-to-school deals currently!) I often do a quick barcode scan of most items in my cart before I check out. This helps the savings add up! I saved over $800 with the Cartwheel app (over approximately 4 years).

Here is my more detailed review on How to use Target Cartwheel.

Ibotta

BONUS: Ibotta can help you stock up on back-to-school supplies, food for school lunches, and dorm items! I use this app most often at Target, but occasionally use it at Whole Foods or Hy-Vee. While you will not find clothing deals within the app, you can skim their mobile deals and save while shopping at Amazon, eBay, Groupon, Thrive Market, and more. I used to shop with more savings apps but ended up ditching most to just use mainly Cartwheel and Ibotta. I received over $600 cash back with Ibotta, so you can see why it’s a favorite! Get a $10 welcome bonus here. 

Keep track of the clothing you already have and the clothing you need to purchase on this Back-to-School Clothing Shopping List Printable. 

Back to School Clothing Checklist

The printable contains both a blank list and a list with a few items filled in to get you started.

What are your best tips for saving on children’s clothing?

Have you looked to see if your favorite stores are on ebates? Check out the percentage you will save on your favorite stores!

Originally posted August 2017. Updated July 2019.