At our #shopsavvykids Twitter Party, sponsored by TKMaxx, tweeters gave their advice for shopping with children, from helping children work out the best value to expressing themselves with their outfits. See the top tips below.
Visit TK Maxx’s Kids Shopping Online to see the latest styles available and discounted prices, a guide for kids shoe shopping and a fun quiz that reveals what the future looks like for your little one.
Preparing to shop
1. Always know what you need rather than panic buy. @SonyaCisco
2. Make a budget and stick to it. If they only need one pair of jeans, buy one pair. Great way of teaching kids money sense. @TheLazyGirlBlog
3. I explain to my girl what she needs – the sparkly dress might be nice but you need jeans! @sarahMo3W
Sizing issues
4. I always get them to try things on – sizes vary so much, you can’t always believe the label! @PrincessofKarma
5. Check the size measurements when buying online. Nothing worse than having to return lots of clothing. @utterlyscrummy
6. Boo hates trying things on so I take a tape measure having measured him at home. @goriami
Sales sense
7. We start by looking at the sales rail first. @Jessies_Kitchen
8. If you can afford it, buy the next size clothes in the sale for next year. Great for expensive items like coats. @ChelseaMamma
9. Don’t buy something just because it’s in the sale. It’s not a bargain if it ends up unworn. @SebsMummy
Layering
10. Get plain layering items, then you can buy brighter/patterned items to mix and match. @utterlyscrummy
11. Buy layers that you way you don’t need to have separate winter/summer wardrobes. @dawnie_brown
12. Buy long sleeved tops to go under kids t-shirts and summer dresses so they can wear them in winter too @mummymondays
Mix and match
13. Buy colours that complement each other – makes mixing and matching so much easier for little ones. @zingmailer
14. If you find something they love to wear, buy it in as many colours as you can. It avoids conflicts with fussy 4 yos! @jaynecrammond
15. Buy lots of basics then you can mix and match with a few stand out items. @MamaUndone
Special offers
16. Sign up to website, Facebook and newsletters. That’s where all the best offers are. @JennyMortimer
Learning to shop
17. My son likes to check prices to see if it’s a rip off (his latest phrase). @ali991
18. Teach kids the difference between cost and value. Low cost not always best quality. Also what about Fairtrade? @utterlyscrummy
19. If you’re not sure about buying something, walk away. If you’re still thinking about it 20mins later then buy it @lesleyannp1
20. Check washing instructions so you don’t end up with something that needs dry cleaning every 5 mins! @Sebsmummy
Learning whilst shopping
21. If I need more than 1 item, I ask my 2yo to count as I pick item off the shelf. His numbers are improving! @petitmew
22. Literacy: before you go by writing lists, are as you can draw the dream outfit you hope to find. @Edspire
23. We’ve started giving the kids X amt of £ in shops and they choose their own item. Great for teaching them budgeting @jhowze
Funky fashion
24. Buy basic pieces that you can decorate at home w/buttons or dye to get the look u want. @utterlyscrummy
25. Trust your children. My daughter who is almost 4 has a great funky fashion sense. @MummyVsWork
26. Let kids be kids so if they want to wear spots, stripes and a tutu, clothes should be fun. @MamaUndone
The Last Word
27. I love looking for a bargain in @Tkmaxx_UK. I have managed to get some gorgeous bits for the kids and a lot cheaper too. @Missy_83
Throughout August there’s a special delivery of branded children’s clothing at your local TK Maxx – the perfect opportunity to find outfits that suit their style while also suiting your pocketbook.
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.
Sarah A
Thursday 6th of September 2012
Great tips and advice, and so many people contributed. I think the sizing issues are the most important because children hate being dragged around shops and don't want to have to try everything on. It is also good if you can teach your children about value for money and a bit about buying items in shops as you go along.
Thanks for sharing, Sarah @ Goodheart Gifts.