In writing from a mother’s and grandmother’s standpoint, I can say for sure that the most useful baby clothes are several of the more high end brands, the ones with snaps in the legs and the zipper or snap open neck type.  I found that the most useful of all these types were those that I found in great shape at garage sales and on clearance racks. When I was expecting my children, there was not a good or any usually used method for telling what the sex of the child would be until it was born. Therefore, almost all clothing received as gifts were not specific as to gender. Most were in colors of yellow or green.

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I learned shortly after my first child was born that no less than ten outfits are needed to get through nearly any day. I had received many beautiful things at all five of my baby showers, but thought them too good for everyday crib wear, so most were still brand new when outgrown. I learned my lesson and wore them all on my second child.

What are the most useful baby clothes?

Undershirts were still a necessity for babies back then and there were no onesies that snapped in the crotch to allow them to stay tucked in, so they were pinned to the cloth diapers that were prominently used for day use many years ago. In more modern times, undershirts are no longer considered necessary, but when used they are printed and usually are onesies snapped in the legs and serve a double use as the child’s shirt for the outfit being worn.

As we were not wealthy when our children were young and clothing was at a premium if you wanted a good brand that would hold up to bleach and other stain removal techniques, I spent a good amount of time searching clearance racks in high end children’s stores and stopping along the road at every garage sale I found with useful baby clothes. Mostly, the brand I personally preferred was Healthtex.  I do not believe that brand is still available. If it is, I have not found it in many years.  Healthtex clothing would easily go through two to four children with many wash and wears and look brand new when put into the garage sale bin. Boy’s clothing is the only type that I have had any experience with, as I had two boys of my own and my only grandchild is a two- year-old little boy. For shirts, I always preferred the snap neck type for easier pulling over the head.  Most usually, a color-coordinated bib could save a shirt for at least half a day if used on the child. Pajamas back then were of very soft knit and the bottoms had feet and the top snapped in the back and snapped to the bottoms, so no body parts were exposed during the night to wake a cold baby. When just infants, one of the most useful baby clothes that I’ve encountered is the kimono type gown with the drawstring in the bottom, and the mitties that goes with it to cover the fingers. These help the baby warm and bundled.

Shoes were not necessary for little babies until they started to walk, unless they were for decoration only.  Socks and bootie were always a good idea to keep the feet covered and warm. The knitted socks with the ribbed cuffs that turned down stayed on the best of all the others and were very stretchy, so they would not be outgrown so quickly.  Soft shoes were sometimes worn just to make sure that all clothing are coordinated, as for pictures or if going out for something special.

Long pants were best with straps over the shoulders, but elastic waist would do the trick, as well.  For youngsters not potty trained, the sizes up to 24 months almost always had the snaps up the legs for easy access for a quick diaper change.  Once your child was into the toddler sizes, the snaps went away and then you were pulling and tugging to get them down to change the pants or diapers.

Outwear was a matter of taste and climate.  My children were raised along the Great Lakes, so we had knitted buntings which were hooded and zipped up to the neck with mittens on strings inside the arms.  These were not very convenient for the straps in the car seat, but they served to be very warm in temperatures well below zero, when we had to go out.  Snowsuits were one piece and worked well for the toddler age babies over infant size.  They could move around in them and walk.  Boots could be added for extra warmth and mittens usually buttoned onto the arms.  When a little older, winter coats and snowpants in separates would do the trick.  Jackets could be unzipped or even removed if riding in the warmed car for any length of time.

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Useful baby clothes of the 21^st Century

In my opinion, the best improvement in wardrobe for infants in the past 35 years has been the ever growing popularity of the disposable diapers and pull-up training pants.  These inventions are such time and work savers that they are worth every penny that you spend extra on them, just to save on laundry soap, bleach, and laundry time.  As more and more moms find the need to work outside the home, the more disposable clothing that can be used the more convenient it becomes for these families and the more quality time that is available for the children, the better the family union.

Although baby clothes are not as popular at garage sales these days, mostly because they are more disposable and do not last through several children, there are outlet malls and stores of every certain brand that have great sales on all of the above mentioned items.  Most are fairly priced and readily available in any large city or along the interstates. Most of this writing has been from the standpoint of a northern family where the weather is colder for most of the year.  In the south, clothing for infants is much the same, however, the use of such heavy outerwear is rarely necessary and light jackets or sweaters are the more useful outdoor coverings for spring and fall days.  During deep winter months in some areas, there is still a need for a ‘warmer version’ of the usual useful baby clothes which are readily available in every department stores or outlet malls.

Baby clothes have fashion trends just like any other line of clothing. Now, to be sure, the baby doesn’t care one way or the other how he or she is dressed as long as they are warm. Mom and dad however want to make sure that baby is dressed to the nines before hitting the streets!

Now, just like anything else, you should shop around for baby clothes. Things can get quite as expensive for the baby as it does for any adult, so you should do some price comparisons when shopping. That said, we now know that if we shop carefully we can still end up with all the latest styles and fashions that are hot on the market.

When you consider name brands, you’re almost always going to be paying a little more, but with major department stores caring more and more of these brands, starting there can have you finding some excellent deals. This is generally because the profit to the store comes from selling quantity as opposed to counting profit per item. As a matter of fact, in a lot of case the major department stores will sell these items almost at cost, hoping that you will also buy some of the ancillary items such as diapers and other things besides just the baby clothes. In most cases they are making the full profit margin on those items essentially making the low priced clothing their loss leaders.

Now, when we look at online shopping, you’re almost sure to find some fantastic bargains there simply because the competition for online shopping dollars is fierce.

Now, when we talk about style, there are some styles that just never die. One mainstay for any child is baby clothes with animals prints on them, and for little girls, everyone always loves to dress them in frilly dresses laden with ruffles all around. For little boys, anything sporty is always in style. This is especially so when it comes to jersey style clothing for the major sports teams.

The newest trend in baby clothes is those that are organic. This means the clothing is produced from materials that are sustainable, and have been harvested in ways that are environmentally friendly. This includes the use of harmful chemicals that are typically used in the manufacturing processes.

The organic type clothing, as with anything else of that nature is going to tend to be more expensive. Most people believe that it is a small price to pay in return for helping to save the environment as we know it. Still, careful shopping will net you some pretty good deals.

All in all, you have to consider that you will literally be restocking the wardrobe with new baby clothes a minimum of every few months as they grow. Looking around for sales that include retailer over stock, or even out of season items can save you a great deal of money. You sort of have to think outside the box on this one and plan ahead. Clothing going out of season now and the climate changes can likely be a useful piece of clothing the next season for baby by buying it in a size that he will be wearing around that time if you can find it available. Fashion trends are not going to change so drastically that it would be out of the question to do so, and you could potentially save a great deal of money in the process.

Another consideration when shopping for baby clothes is consignment shops. Many people balk at the thought of this, but when you consider the fact that it seems like the baby grows out of new clothes in a week, it becomes a welcome idea. The clothes in these shops would not be there if they weren’t in excellent shape for one thing. For another, these clothes might have been worn once or twice by the baby. The parents then realized it was time to move on to the next size and likely put these in the consignment shop for sale to supplement the purchase of the next line of clothes for the baby.

The most important thing of it all when it comes to baby clothes and saving money, is to shop around. There are lots of bargains to be had, and let’s face it it’s a buyer’s world when it comes to shopping so just be patient.

Remember to watch for sales at the major department stores, who will generally offer deep discounts on baby clothes hoping that other merchandise that isn’t on sale will be purchased too.