How-to Consignment Shop withOUT Kids {Thoughtful Thursday}

I have to remind myself, "It is coming. It Is coming. Spring time is coming!"

I am so ready for some color sprinkled all over the ground, warmer {not hot} days, and the general cheeriness of the spring season. Another thing I love about season change is consignment shopping. Eek! My fave? Duck Duck Goose, the "BIG Sale" in Little Rock, AR!

Don't get me wrong, I don't really like spending money on clothes I just LOVE a great deal. We haven't had to spend much over the past few years due to God's blessing of hand-me-downs from friends and family as well as within our own closely born babes! This year though...this year, the year of limbo and growth, has brought us to the place where Every child needs nearly an entire spring/summer wardrobe. My kids are eating like there's a famine coming and sleeping like its going out of style- that's coming, too. The Growth Spurts! This year I plan to be proactive in this inevitable circumstance.

I need to be able to shop in a reasonable amount of time, thinking through purchases, as well as get all the things I need for the season without duplicates. Soooo, I'm fixing all of that. How am I going to get the right sizes without taking the kids, you ask? THAT is what I want to share with you today. I think this could work for consignment shopping or clothes shopping in general.

Check list for prepping to go
Children's Clothes Shopping:

{note: I'm not a genius, these tips come from years of watching the experts 😛 }

1. Purge
   • Set aside all clothes for that current season {for me right now Winter}. The kids will still need these a bit longer.
   • Then pull out all clothes that are the next season that will not fit {spring/summer for me}. I'm talking, if you have to, do a fashion show, try on all clothes that may be on the line of not fitting {if and When they have that next growth spurt}.
   • Next, identify all clothes that you haven't been putting on your child due to them being stained, shrunk, stretched out, holey, whatever.
   • Finally, depending on if it just doesn't fit or if it's really used: Consign, pass down to the next child, or pass along all those clothes to a friend, family member, clothes closet, etc. Don't allow them back in the closet or dresser. It will only be misguiding when you go to dress you child.
2. Take inventory of each child's closets and dressers.
   • For real, write down exactly how many of each item they have, their size, and even the color.
   • When you go shopping you will know you don't need a pair of pink shorts, black tennis shoes in size 6, or 2 more green sun dresses.
3. Make a shopping list
   • List the things they will need for the next season.
   • Look at your calendar to be reminded of events/holidays coming up: Easter, swimming, birthday parties were some of the things I am considering.
   • Compared to what's left in the closet/dresser, how many items to they really need. Do Not waste money on a gazillion outfits for each child. They will use them and then grow out of them.
   • We try and keep it down around 5-10 mix & match shirts/shorts/pants and maybe 5 dressier items per child. Some days, even that many gets overwhelming: laundry, stain busting, consigning later, and then we all know family/friends will get them items for holidays, plus my girls share most of their clothes right now.
     
4. Measure each child. They will think this is fun.
   • Feet
     1. Use a piece of paper {card stock or constructions paper holds up the best} and trace one foot of each child.
     2. If your kids have feet that are different sized, fit differently in shoes, etc you might want to do both.
     3. I just did one foot for each child because I have three kids I'm shopping for at once and the things you have to carry around add up quickly.
     4. I also cut out each foot for more convenience.
   • Body
     1. Torso {shoulders to hips}
     2. Legs {hips to floor}
     3. Tummy {largest part around their midsection}
     4. Waist {where pants will need to fit}

     Bottom {largest circumference around toosh}

     • option: fabric tape: measure each child and write down the sized on the back of your "shopping list".
     • option: different color ribbon for each child. Measure and make them on the with a marker or pen on the ribbon {label what each line is}

{I punched a hole in each foot as well as the ribbon so I could hook them on a big ring for easier carrying.}

That sounds like a lot of stuff to think through but it's really not. I just tried to be very detailed for anyone who had never done this AND this is helping me think through what I need for next week's undertaking. If you're like me, you don't get too many chances to go shopping. And on top of that, these consignment sales don't come around but maybe twice a year. 😉

Next Thursday, I'll be back with a check list for taking with you to a Consignment Event! {link live next Thursday}

Share your tips & tricks for consignment shopping! We love to hear your favorite finds as well 🙂

UPDATE:

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