The BEST Retail Stores to Buy Affordable Kids Clothing
I don’t know about you, but my kid’s clothes seem to do some crazy shrinking these days. OR maybe it’s just that my kids are growing faster than a weed?! If it’s time to update your kids wardrobes too, here are EIGHT of our favorite retailers to visit when looking to shop and save the most on kids clothing…
✅ Hip Tip – Before shopping, snag a discounted gift card from Raise.com to save even more!
1. Target
In 2016, Target launched an exclusive, yet affordable, high-quality kids clothing line called Cat & Jack with adorable items for boys in sizes 4-18, girls in sizes 4-20, toddlers in sizes 2T-5T, and Baby Cat & Jack items in sizes 0-24M. Prices range from $4.50 to $39.99, with most items under $19.99. Plus, you can often save more on this clothing by pairing sales or clearance with Target Cartwheel Offers!
They even expanded their Cat & Jack collection in 2017 to include an Adaptive Clothing Line to fit the needs of even more kids. Some highlights from the collection include no tags, flat seams, outerwear with zip-off sleeves, footless sleepwear, and extra-soft, durable cotton knits – just to name a few.
And the best part is… if you’re not satisfied with any Target Owned Brand item – including Cat & Jack apparel, you can return it within ONE year with a receipt for an exchange or a refund. Remember, if you’re a Target REDcard holder, you’ll save an additional 5% off your purchases.
A Few Other Target-Owned Kids Clothing Brands: Art Class, C9 by Champion, Circo, Genuine Kids, Mossimo, Nate Berkus, Oh Joy!, Wondershop, and Xhilaration.
2. The Children’s Place
If you’re looking to score inexpensive kids denim and basics, The Children’s Place is the place to shop! Basic denim under $8 and graphic tees under $5?! Yes, thanks. They also often offer amazing clearance buys! And, if you prefer to shop online, they always offer free shipping every day – with no minimum!
Plus, new text subscribers can currently score a $10 off $40+ purchase coupon by texting YES to 89700. This mobile coupon should arrive almost immediately and is valid both in-store and online!
Also, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for various PLACE Cash promotions where you can earn “coupons” for making a qualifying purchase! For instance, for every $20 you spend, they’ll occasionally offer $10 PLACE cash to use toward your next purchase of $20 or more at any store location or online.
3. Old Navy & GAP
Old Navy and GAP offers great bargains on quality kids uniforms, adorable baby & toddler clothing, and winter apparel, as well as great buys for tweens and teens. Plus, Old Navy regularly hosts one-day sales where they offer HOT prices on different categories throughout the store – for that day only.
The best time to shop and get the biggest bang for your buck is in between seasons (i.e. – shop for winter clothing in March and summer clothing in October). Another great time to scout out the clearance racks for big bargains is during their twice-a-year epic clearance events.
Also, whenever Old Navy offers Super Cash, you can earn $10 in Super Cash for every $25 spent in-store or online BEFORE discounts. You can then redeem your $10 in Super Cash on every $25 eligible merchandise purchase in stores and online during a specified redemption period.
4. Carter’s & OshKosh B’Gosh
Shopping for a little one? Although their prices can be higher than some stores, Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh retail stores (and online) often have great Doorbuster sales, such as Buy One, Get TWO Free Tees or Bottoms, $10 two-piece Fleece Jammies, $6 Fleece Jackets, and other great buys. They occasionally will offer free shipping too!
Note that most printable coupons and promo codes are not valid on clearance or doorbusters, but you can check to see what coupons/offers are available here for Carter’s or here for OshKosh B’Gosh.
5. Kohl’s
Whenever Kohl’s has their clearance events and/or offers coupons for baby or kids clothing, it’s time to go! You can stack coupons, even with clearance prices… AND if you’re a Kohl’s cardholder, there are several times a year that you can score an additional 30% off AND free shipping when you use your Kohl’s card. SWEET!
Plus, occasionally Kohl’s offers threshold coupons for $10 off your $50 purchase or 20% off select clothing that you can stack with your cardholder discount. Also, be sure to watch for exclusive coupons in your mailbox AND offers in your inbox for up to 40% off for really sweet deals!
…AND don’t forget to browse all the awesome clearance available both in-store and online!
6. Walmart
If you’re willing to browse through the clearance racks at Walmart, you can score some killer deals on really cute clothing and shoes for kids and babies – including leggings, shoes, jackets, PJs, and more! The clearance racks aren’t the only place to score great buys, as their everyday low prices are great.
A few clearance deals we have spotted previously at our local Walmart recently include $1 Infant fleece jackets, $1 Boys long sleeve tees, $9 Boys four-piece dress outfits, $2 Girls leggings, and MORE! Just be sure to scan clothing at the price scanner to ensure that the items are priced as marked.
7. JCPenney
JCPenney is another great place to score cheap name-brand clothing, such as Carter’s! A great time to shop is whenever they offer an additional 50% discount on clearance at checkout that can also be stacked with an in-store coupon!
JCPenney occasionally also sends out mailer coupons for $10 off your $10 purchase and offers $10 off $10 coupon giveaways that can make items completely FREE!
Also, if you’re a rewards member (it’s FREE!), you’ll earn rewards certificates, receive coupons, sale notifications, and more! Plus, JCPenney cardholders earn double rewards points and receive exclusive offers throughout the year whenever they shop with their store card. Sweet!
8. Crazy8 – NO LONGER IN BUSINESS
UPDATE: Well darn! As of February 2019, Crazy8, Gymboree, and Janie and Jack have gone out of business.
Crazy8 is similar to The Children’s Place in that they regularly offer great sales on fleece, denim, tees, puffer jackets, pajamas, and more! I love shopping at Crazy8 because of the comparable quality to Gymboree (their sister brand), and it’s usually much cheaper when paired with a sale and/or coupon. The best time to shop is when they offer promo codes for a percent off and free shipping.
PLUS, you can always find 20% off coupons for Crazy8, Gymboree, and Janie and Jack found inside every issue of Parents magazine! And currently, whenever you sign up for their emails, you’ll get an 18% off promo code in your inbox.
Hi anyone know when JCPenny giveaway $10 coupons??
Oh same here.. waiting for those coupons..not seeing them since 2 months
I have one that is expiring today if you would like I can send it to you
Hi any jcpenney coupon who’s not willing to use please I am going to store today can I have it please my email is resuht@gmail.com
Thank.you so.much
I have a jcp 10 off 10 expiring today if you want to trade. sanatauseef at gmail dot com
Usually during back to school and pior to Christmas time.
Waiting too
Lol… my kids have several of the exact clothes in your pictures. I shop all of those places. The Children’s Place is my current favorite with them offering free shipping on any order and having coupons out frequently as well. I do a lot of thrift store shopping and often find that the nicer second hand children’s clothing stores charge around $8 for gently used jeans, especially in bigger kid sizes. I prefer TCP for their $7.99 new jeans!
I like gymboree personally .. most months they do their outlet/stores $12.99 and under and when you spend $50 you get $25 gymbucks to spend on $50 later which is like a 50% off coupon. Plus if you join their rewards program you earn money for every dollar spent.
I buy almost all of our kids clothing from consignment sales. There’s a bunch in my area that host sales 4 times a year. Brand name clothing for $3-4. I also like kids2kids and once upon a child, I think those might be nation-wide. I do love Cat & Jack stuff as well. It’s so well made!
My kids are bigger now, but I didn’t care for Crazy 8’s clothes. They actually wore out before my kids outgrew them, which is really saying something. Lol.
I get deals at Target and JCP. We also get great deals from Once Upon a Child… normally get bargain Justice clothes there.
I shop at Gymboree, Gap and Justice. I’ll wait until there’s a sale with free shipping and use coupons. After they outgrow their clothes, I resell them and usually get close to what I paid.
Where do you resell clothes? I have soooo many small clothes now that my kids are getting older and my hubby has had the snip snip lol. I’ve had several garage sales and not much luck ebay selling. But the clothes pile is huge and getting out of control!!
I sell mine at Once Upon A Child. It’s not much but usually more than garage sales and I feel like anything is better than nothing when I can’t find a child to give them to directly and they’re piling up in storage.
Got an old navy credit card attached to a visa. We put all major expenses on said card and use the rewards to pay for the clothes. They were doing a spend $50 get $20 off today (didn’t know about that when I went there) combined that with a $25 reward. Paid $9.00 for 4 pairs of leggings, a sweater for my daughter, shirt for myself and a 7-pack of socks. Plus put the charge on the card to even more points
I’m all over the place when it comes to buying kids clothes.
We have a Hanna Andersson Outlet store near-ish to our house so I make trips there every once and a while for leggings (usually I can get them for around $5-$8). I also stalk the Target clearance racks, but have been less impressed with their clothes lately? I’ll always check out the clearance at Old Navy and Gap as well.
One offbeat place I have gotten some clothes for the babies is Aliexpress.com – it’s a chinese marketplace website. A lot of their stuff is NOT good, you have to be really careful about reading reviews, but I have gotten some of my favorite pieces there, like velvet bloomers and sweatshirts with cute graphics. The prices range from decent to really good.
Finally, I have to admit that most of the kids’ clothes come from the thrift store. Lately I’ve been loving the Goodwill Bins – I got my kids 8ish items last time we were there and my total (with some other stuff included) was less than five dollars.
I have gone to Macy’s where I picked up Ralph Lauren at 80% off. My son and I took care of the clothes. I, then, resold the clothes for profit or cost when he outgrew them. I’ve also picked up boys shorts for $2.50 at Macy’s. I picked up tons of clothing for $.47-$.97 at the Old Navy Outlet before it closed near my home. Now, I use SWYR points to get: free shirts, pants, shorts, socks and underwear for him.
Consignment sales, target and Kohl’s. I got very cute n fancy valentine T-shirt’s for my daughter at Walmart for $0.50 a piece a few years ago. $1 Cat Jack T-shirt’s at Target. Luv the girl coats with matching hats at Kohl’s. Get compliments all the time for the coats from Kohl’s.
Kmart and Lands End are also worth checking out!
I do most of these plus Gymboree and Macy’s clearance sales for Polo and Roxy clothes at great prices. I usually get Polo cheaper there then at the Ralph Lauren outlet.
Hi now days I am the personal shopper for my daughter’s 5 kids and I do a lot of it at Cookies kid’s. Com.
These clothes are so cute- I especially like the Cat & Jack line from Target.
It’s important to note that these “affordable” clothes are made on the backs of poorly paid workers- often with terrible physical working conditions. The actual COST of these clothes is great. It is certainly worth the time to research how clothes are manufactured and what working conditions are like. Just check your labels and see where your kiddos’ garments were made and do a google search about clothing production in those countries.
I know that most of us are watching our budgets closely and Lord knows kids are hard on clothes. It is hard to change our spending habits! Just do yourself a favor and take a little time to read up on this topic.
SO true! Netflix had a documentary on the “High Cost of Fashion” talking about workers conditions. Many workers die and they even had a garment factory collapse. When our budget allows, I like to buy Fair Trade items and do my best to support companies who invest in better working conditions for their citizens.
I like Carter’s and Target! But I also have been shopping more at Kid to Kid. I don’t mind previously used clothing and the prices are great. My daughter is seven months old, and only wears clothes for about three months, so it’s nice to be able to clothe her for a little less!
We have once upon a child and I am so frustrated with their pricing. Sleepers for example are 3.50 when for 1.50 more I can get new. Having 4 girls now, I shop higher quality for some things like Winter Jackets, and Sweatshirts and pass down. Leggings and T-shirts get ruined quickly so I stick with Targets 4 dollar leggings when they go on sale.
I love Primary.com for my sons’ clothes. Quality is awesome (like Hanna Andersson) but more affordable. I also love having no graphics or brands. Easy to buy some matching outfits for trips like Disneyland.
Never heard of the primary, but it looks amazing! Thanks for the tip! So thanksful for this community of likeminded women!
If you have kids 10 and under, look into consignment sales near you. Rhea Lana and Just Between Friends (JBF) are sales that moms sell their used clothes at and make more money from it that from consignment stores. When my kids were little, we shopped those sales so often and got great brand name items at 1/3 of the cost. They are also great for baby equipment.
No one mentioned Zara kids or Forever 21 girls sections. You can get really nice cotton tops from Zara for often just $4. I shop from both sites online because we now live far out of the city.
Surprised not to see H&M baby and kids mentioned. They have very stylish clothes for kids and good quality (better than Target IMO). They also run great sales on basics, many organic cotton options and you can get an extra 15% off coupon if you recycle a bag of clothes in many stores.
Also TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Ross! Some great deals there too.
I have 4 daughters and my current go to places are Carters.com and Kohls.com but only during sales and coupons. Carters always has 20% off coupons available. Over Presidents day I had a 25% off coupon for Carters and a 30% off coupon from Kohls. Kohls tho tends to have their prices higher so I wait for good sales. This week I was able to stock up on rompers for my Newborn daughter for like 5 bucks a piece for this coming summer at carters and 6 dollar sleepers at Kohls.
I like target for some of their things like their toddler pull on shorts and leggings. Target was my favorite store to shop in genreal BUT with 4 girls that I stay home with, I have to be careful shopping there because I can get myself in trouble lol. I don’t shop in store anymore because with 4 small ones it’s such a hassle. Also target doesn’t offer many coupons but when they do you can score some awesome deals in store.
Gap.com has some great sales during “holidays” like Veterans day, Labor day etc. I was able to score 15 dollar or less pull over sweaters.
Shoes.com at 25% off during president day with additional savings. I was able to purchase 3 pair of white leather keds for my girls for 20 dollars each. They clean up nicely, match every outfits and last!
Amazon also has some great deals on clothing. Amazon has their own carters line. Tho I don’t tend to buy clothing off Amazon you can score some nice Name Brand deals from time to time like Columbia jackets or stride rite shoes.
I am really disappointed in Children’s place quality over all! Their screen printed T shirts are Junk and their designs on their shirts are always sticking/Peelings. Quality of the material they use is awful too. I also notice their jeans run big on my kiddos so I stopped shopping there a few years ago. I wonder if their quality has improved.
My oldest of my 4 girls will be 9 this year and is obsessed with Justice even tho we have only been there like once lol. She is always begging to go there and get clothes. I have a love hate thing going on with Justice right now. I remember Limited Too when I was a kid and I was obsessed with that store so I can’t blame my daughter for going crazy over all the sparkles and pink. BUT their clothes are SO Expensive AND some of their things are very skanky. (Booty shorts, Crop tops, don’t get me started on their bathing suits)My girls go to a Christian school so THANKFULLY they have uniforms. But now that my daughter is moving into 6x/7, It’s getting harder to find more modest clothing for her. The “Shorts” they market for little girls now are basically underwear. Some of my daughters peers when they wear Tshirts with these booty shorts, it looks like they are only wearing Tshirts. UGH. #MomProblems.
Yes some of the Justice clothes can be a little hard to swallow. But – they’re one of the only stores that sells shirts in different lengths, with different waistbands. It’s been a real lifesaver for me as our school has a pretty strict policy on shirts being fingertip length. They’re leggings, shirts, regular shirts and bathing suits are all great quality, last forever and pretty modest. Plus they’re size range is awesome! Learn how to shop their sales and you’ll be set. I don’t pay more than $3 or $4 for shirts.
When does Justice have sale?????
Sign up for their emails and join Club Justice. I usually buy for the following year when they have additional 50% off sale. They will do it more than once on the same things – so for example a shirt may be on sale right after Christmas for $14.99 and then an additional 50%. But now, in February, that same shirt is $6.99 and they’ll be doing additional 50% off soon. They also do $10 denim shorts before summer. Totally worth it for me because I have one girl in a plus size who only likes the knit waist and my 12 year old, who is 5’9, wears an 18 but needs the longer length for junior high. They also offer more sizes online for anyone who has hard to fit kids. Bathing suits also go on sale at the beginning of summer for $20 and you can usually score some at the end of summer for $10. Again, online has better selection. Yes some are a little out of my comfort zone, but I find a lot of the styles comparable to Target. We have a pool and the suits hold up amazingly well. I can get 2 summers out of
them no problem. Sorry for the long post – I used to think they were were really expensive too but after a few trips and watching sales, you’ll figure it out.
No I really appreciate it!
I have the opposite problem. All of my girls are very petite and small/skinny.
They often get confused for kids much younger. My 8 year old just moved into 6. My 6 year old is just getting into 5T but its baggy. My soon to be 4 year old is in 24 months/2T. So find clothes that fits is hard.
Today is the last day for an extra 50% off Justice Clearance using code savings4u and if you have an email for the $15 off $45 purchase you are able to stack it for an even better savings. I just purchased 11 items for $32 shipped (added Justice card discount of 5%a and free shipping). Shipping is $1 if you don’t have the Justice Card.
When I first went into Justice I thought it was too bright, too sparkly and too epensive but I’ve come to really like Justice for my 8.5 year old. My favorite thing is their sizing. Most kids clothing seems to jump from 7/8 to 10/12 so everything is too small or too big. Justice has separate 8, 10 and 12. Their clothes run true to size so I can still buy a lot of clothes online. Many of their dresses are actually fairly subdued floral prints and their graphic tees are (generally) cute and trendy while still being age appropriate. Their swimsuits are my favorite – they have a great selection of takinis and their bottoms seem to be the only ones that don’t ride down or up. They also have elastic waist bremuda length exercise shorts that are great for summer. Yes, there are some clothes there I wouldn’t let her wear but there are “what were they thinking” pieces in almost any store. I wait until they have a sale and stock up on our favorites – they just had a BOGO swimsuit event that made them about $15 each, their athletic shorts go on sale for $5, etc. Their online clearance sales are great and they often give out $/$$ coupons in store.
I have found carters and oshkosh to be terrible for waist sizing after 5t, particularly if your kiddo has a little but of extra chub. I buy bigger sizes but only the length seems to increase, not the waist. For pants I really prefer elastic banded stuff from gap. A little pricier but lasts much longer for us.
I shop at several of these stores for my daughter and love quite a few of them. I also thrift shop which can be obsessive. I love the salvation army half price Wednesdays. The only store I’ve been disappointed with was JCP. I purchased leggings and after the first wash the knees were extremely faded. I wanted to return them but I threw the receipt away.
Gymboree and Carter’s were my go to’s for my son and daughter. Until I found British retailer, NEXT. My bank account has been taking a beating ever since. I’m slightly addicted to this store. You pay a little more for certain items but the selection, quality and designs are unbeatable. See for yourself! Wait, you probably shouldn’t. :p Nextdirect.com/usa
I checked the website out and their clothes are so cute! No pictures or letters on the clothes. Thank you so much!
I agree! Even my two string bean kids need to go up a size for Carter’s/ Oshkosh pants.
I like the cat and jack line, but can never find above an 8 in boys 🙁 We love our Penneys, i just used 3 $10/10 coupons for my teen! The clearance right now is amazing!
Is there a trick to getting the $10 off $10 coupons at Jcpenney? I used to get them a lot and I don’t anymore. The same thing with Kohl’s. I don’t get them anymore either.
Kohl’s is my favorite – have gotten ridiculously cheap and even free clothes between KC and stacking coupons. Love their Jumping Beans line for my toddler boy! I’ve also gotten good deals at all the stores listed in the post. Another good source – although it takes some work to filter and find the deals – is Amazon. I’ve gotten boys pants for my nephew, TCP hat/mittens sets, pajamas, and more for just a few bucks each. For shoes, I haven’t found anywhere that competes on a regular basis with Zulily. They often offer several brands for less than $10. For toddler shoes especially I hate paying even that much lol! And they have lots of nice clothes too, especially special occasion items. And always tons of baby gear and toy deals.
Today is the last day for an extra 50% off Justice Clearance using code savings4u and if you have an email for the $15 off $45 purchase you are able to stack it for an even better savings. I just purchased 11 items for $32 shipped (added Justice card discount of 5%a and free shipping). Shipping is $1 if you don’t have the Justice Card.
Headed to Carter’s today – does anyone have discount/coupon they won’t use before it expires?
Thanks so much!
Just thought I’d throw out an idea. I’ve had great results with eBay. Both for new and used clothing. Often you can get a “lot” of clothing for a great price. I realize that results can vary, but it’s worth a try.
Love Kohl’s
I love children’s place but also h&m and Marshalls/tjmaxx. They sometimes have good deals or clearance. Just got a 5$ hoodie and 1$ Fall hat for my little one at h&m.
Goodwill 99cents for toddler clothes💜💜