How much do you/would you spend on a winter wardrobe for a three-year old?

Question

Not that it will influence how much i will spend on clothes for my three-year (daughter) to get her through till the sun gives some warmth again. But then maybe it might. She really has too many clothes.

Answer 1

I think it depends on your budget and just like you said what she already has. There is no need to overspend when you have the essentials for her. Just use good judgment. Clothes go out of style and (in your daughter's case) get too small very fast so use your brain on this one. Maybe the money you save on not overspending can be used for something else like a trip to Disney or for child care or for something the entire family can use or to be put into her college fund.... Good luck.

Answer 2

Make a list of what she needs and get it. Remember she will almost certainly not wear any of it for a second winter as it will all be outgrown, so there is no point buying expensive stuff that's built to last. Little kids get filthy playing so I would get at least 3 pairs of jeans or corduroys or whatever she wears and at least 3 jerseys and probably a week's worth of shirts, I am assuming she is in school uniform during the day so that with one outfit for parties, church &c should be enough.

If you have the opportunity, why not join a group - I know we had them when I was a kid, you join and you get the clothes that are grown out of by older kids and you pass on the ones your child has outgrown, it's a great saving for everyone.

If you are strapped for cash, also don't forget your local op shop.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, but I think it's ridiculous to spend loads of money for childrens' clothing, especially for such a young child - the stuff you buy her now won't fit her even next winter. Your daughter's clothes need only be neat, clean, matching, and durable enough to last until they're too warm for the weather (depending on where you live, she may still be wearing long-sleeved tops into the spring, etc.) or until she grows out of them, whichever happens first. The only thing you need consider in terms of how many regular (i.e., non-special occasion) outfits she needs is how often you do her laundry - there's no sense if having three weeks' worth of outfits if you do her laundry every weekend. You might consider building or supplementing her wardrobe with hand-me-downs (of course, you need accept only ones still in good condition) from friends/family with daughters older than yours.

If you still have money beyond that, consider putting it into an educational fund or some sort of interest-bearing account (money market, CDs, a brokerage account) for her and surprise her with it when she really needs it - like when she goes off to college or needs money for a car or downpayment on a first home. She'll appreciate that **loads** more than knowing that she looked unbelievably stylish and au courant as a three-year-old!

Answer 4

I wouldn't get into buying name brands... 3yo kids don't know whether it's gap or faded gory from walmart... I would start out with about $300.00... get a coat. a jacket, two pairs of shoes, 3 pair of pjs... 4 pairs of pants... 8 tops... 2 dressy yet simple outfits... a pack of socks and underpants... all from Walmart??? This all to get you started... come december?january they will start marking down the winter merchadise and I would pick up items for the next year and maybe add a few new items for this year... because by this time what you bought in the beginning $300.00 is probably showing there wear-n-tear... Hope I gave you some insight... from one mother to another... Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

Even just buying the basics at Target, which does have very cute clothes by the way, will run you about $80-$100.

Just see if she has gone through any growth spurts lately. I wouldn't pend too much though. I have 2 boys, who grow like weeds, and outgrow everything roughly 2-3 months after I buy it.

Answer 6

Not a lot, I tend to buy my daughters clothes in charity shops, they are often in a new condition, and sometimes I get brand new stuff for a fraction of the price.
If your daughter has too many clothes, give them to someone who really needs them, it will make their day!

Answer 7

$300- 500 for a 3 yr old is insane.

At walmart or target you can get some very cute stuff for fall/winter for around $100.

E-bay is great. I just got 4 like-new dresses for my baby for $20 including shipping.

Answer 8

eek gad! too many clothes? no way..I would spend a good amount on a winter coat, winter jacket, winter accessories, insulated jeans or pants, I would say about $200 to $250. If you want to spend less you can go to a consignment store or a used baby store to save money, instead of going to gymboree and spend $35 dollars on a freaking shirt

Answer 9

good grief where do you people get your money???
500?? holy cow!

All of my children were furnished with hand me downs. Now of course I didn't always want my children wearing hand me downs so occationally I bought one nice outfit for them to wear - not that they cared if they had new clothes or anything.
2nd hand stores provide excellent next to new clothing for literally pennies.
For all three kids (and we live in Ontario - 4 seasons) we probably only spent 1000 total for clothing in the early years. And I made it all back, because we sold them all and including all of the clothing that was passed down.
I have tons of pictures of my kids in beautiful clothes that we were given or found at garage sales or 2nd hand stores.

Answer 10

Buy clothing as she outgrows her old clothes. And don't buy them to fit; buy them a little bit big for her so that she can grow into them.
It would be foolish to buy several months worth of clothing at once. She will probably outgrow some of them before she even wears them.