craigslist-esque clothing swap?

[Deleted]

I have TONS of boy's clothing from 0-12M that I need to get rid of.... and I need boy's clothing for 2T-3T.  Is anyone interested in taking my clothes/sending me clothes?  We're on a budget, and DS's clothes are taking up space.

[Deleted]

I may have some! And you don't need to worry about sending me any.  

I'll check tonight and let you know.

[Deleted]

Awesome, Beer - thanks!  I really really appreciate it!   

[Deleted]

YW! 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I dumped almost all of the kids outgrown clothing. Sorry Jenny.

[seriousthistime]

This is a great idea! My kids' clothes are long gone, but there are lots of people here whose kids are outgrowing clothes and growing into bigger sizes. Why don't you post what gender and sizes each of you have and what you need so you can get a swap going?

Now what we need is an adult swap... but I suspect it wouldn't work as well because we're particular about styles and colors and what looks good on us. I know a woman who lost about 80 pounds and she told me her go-to place during the weight loss was the local adult consignment store. They have some really good brands there (and some average stuff too). She got black pants that fit her, made do with her tops until she they were just way too big, and then took it all to the consignment shop and got clothes in increasingly smaller sizes. I've begun to shop consignment because I can get new items with tags for a fraction of the cost, and I didn't want to spend money buying clothes at my current size. I used to be the size I am now but then I went through a really stressful time and lost about 35 pounds and had all my work clothes altered as small as I could. I kept the weight off for a while but then I stopped exercising and started drinking wine and eating poorly, and the weight came back. I'm now doing Atkins and hope to be down a size soon, which means my too-tight clothes might actually be comfortable. Again. But when they are too big, I'm heading off to the consignment store.

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2013 18:59:01 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

This is a great idea! My kids' clothes are long gone, but there are lots of people here whose kids are outgrowing clothes and growing into bigger sizes. Why don't you post what gender and sizes each of you have and what you need so you can get a swap going?

Now what we need is an adult swap... but I suspect it wouldn't work as well because we're particular about styles and colors and what looks good on us. I know a woman who lost about 80 pounds and she told me her go-to place during the weight loss was the local adult consignment store. They have some really good brands there (and some average stuff too). She got black pants that fit her, made do with her tops until she they were just way too big, and then took it all to the consignment shop and got clothes in increasingly smaller sizes. I've begun to shop consignment because I can get new items with tags for a fraction of the cost, and I didn't want to spend money buying clothes at my current size. I used to be the size I am now but then I went through a really stressful time and lost about 35 pounds and had all my work clothes altered as small as I could. I kept the weight off for a while but then I stopped exercising and started drinking wine and eating poorly, and the weight came back. I'm now doing Atkins and hope to be down a size soon, which means my too-tight clothes might actually be comfortable. Again. But when they are too big, I'm heading off to the consignment store.

I started using the consignment store once I got pregnant.  I don't think I will ever stop.  It has been so useful and so much nicer than goodwill, which once I got older I refused to go to.

[oreo]

All of my DS' clothes come from local thrift shops. Just be sure you look them over very thoroughly for holes and stains before you buy. My local store has 50% off clothes nearly all of the time and I get items for DS for less than $.50 a lot of the time.

[Deleted]

Well Jen, I went through what I have and it's mostly size 3T and 4T. I know they're too big now, but you're welcome to have them if you'd like.

[Peace77]

Take the too small items that are in good shape to a kids consignment shop. The money you get will help pay for clothes in the sizes you need.

Check out Freecycle. Some people give away clothes. You can also ask for what you want.

See the free and wanted sections of Craigslist.

Some cities have a Free store.

[Deleted]

Thank you for looking, Beer, but 3T is a little big and we have enough of a hard time storing things as it is right now.

I forgot about Freecycle and selling to consignment stores... thanks!

[973beachbum]

Jan 18, 2013 11:03:16 GMT -5 @moneyjenny82 said:

Thank you for looking, Beer, but 3T is a little big and we have enough of a hard time storing things as it is right now.

I forgot about Freecycle and selling to consignment stores... thanks!

I have always, at least as an adult, lived in a 1000 square foot 3/1 rancher.  This one doesn't even have a basement, so I understand the space problems!  I used to try and use space that wasn't being used but really didn't seem like the place to store stuff.  I have plastic totes if you know what I mean.  I would put clothes that were the next size in them in space bags and store it under the beds or crib if they were real little.  I have also stored some stuff in the attic in those totes.  It isn't convieniet but with things like kids clothes for next year I didn't need them to be real convenient just just accessable to me.  The big problem was remembering what I had gotten and stored where.   My solution was to put masking tape on the sides and tops saying what was in them so it was pretty easy to tell.  I also wrote a list and posted it on my fridge or on top of my desk saying what I had stored in the attic.  That way it was a constant reminder of what I already had.

Other than that all I have are some size 8 jeans and size 5 shoes.  I'm guesing that's a little large for your boy.

[Deleted]

You're welcome! Good luck on your quest. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Jan 18, 2013 9:08:50 GMT -5 @beerwench said:

Well Jen, I went through what I have and it's mostly size 3T and 4T. I know they're too big now, but you're welcome to have them if you'd like.

Beer, do you have jeans/sweatpants in size 4T?  We don't really need t-shirts for him but I swear the kid is going though 2-4 pair of pants most days, between accidents and spillage. 

[Deleted]

There's some pants in there. If you'd like them, they're yours!

[Wisconsin Beth]

Jan 18, 2013 11:32:01 GMT -5 @beerwench said:

There's some pants in there. If you'd like them, they're yours!

I would.  I'll pm you my address.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I've got a bunch of pjs, size 4T, boy if anyone's interested.  They're mostly Mickie Mouse ones, some that Keira picked our for herself (I don't much care if pjs are boy or girl themed if the kid wants to wear them.)  Keira was very into Mickie at the age of 3+ and I couldn't find girl pjs with Mickie, just Minnie.  Anyway, let me know if you want them.  They're kinda on the small side for 4T as there's been some shrinkage due to useage. 

[Deleted]

there's been some shrinkage due to useage.

Where have I heard THAT before.... 

(sorry, couldn't help myself!  )

[Wisconsin Beth]

Beer, those pants really helped out.  Cabe's been lots better on not peeing though lately although I suspect that's more of everyone being on the same page and making sure he goes to the bathroom alot....

[Deleted]

YAY Cabe! 
I should have more for you soon. DS's pants are starting to get "floody". Hopefully it means he won't be the smallest kid on his t-ball team this year! 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Yeah, that's how the pj pants are on Cabe.  But the 4t regular pants are mostly still coming to his ankles.    Hence the assumption about shrinking. 

And yes, we'll take the next size when you're ready to them, er, pass them on. 

[Deleted]

Thank you!!!!

ETA: I'll PM you when I send them off.  I need to start separating the short ones from the ones that still fit. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Sounds like a plan.  Are any of them summer things? 

[Deleted]

I think I have his summer stuff from last year boxed up. I will go though those, too, this weekend and let you know. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Woohoo!  I may only have to buy Cabe shoes and underwear for summer! 

[thyme4change]

Hey Jenny - I will warn you that as kids grow, the amount of used and hand-me-downs slow down.  Babies wear things once, and then grow 10% of their height, but as they get older they are able to wear things until they wear out.  The good news is, that the clothes you do have will hang around a lot longer - so it isn't as overwhelming.  But, I had a room full of baby clothes, and by the time the kids were 3, there wasn't anyone who had anything left worth sharing.  

[Wisconsin Beth]

And once the kid starts picking out their own clothes, the favored shirts/pants/tights/whatever, die even faster. 

[redwagon]

I would take boys' stuff 6m-12m, but I have nothing to offer in return, sorry.

[Deleted]

I really suggest checking out Kohls. You can buy shirts/shorts/pants for $2-4 if you buy from the clearance section. That is what I do, buy from there in the off season.Right now you could buy for next winter. He is 14 months (11.5 corrected). I have 2-3T even some 4T stuff. It also helps that my sister has a son about a year older than mine and I get stuff from her when I visit or when my mom comes.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Mar 22, 2013 11:32:40 GMT -5 redwagon said:

I would take boys' stuff 6m-12m, but I have nothing to offer in return, sorry.

Snort.  That's a point in your favor Red....  I'm done having kids so I'm dumping the kid crap as fast as I can.  But the 6m-12m  stuff is long gone. 

Bunny, I got burned on the buying larger.  Damn kids grew faster than I expected so pretty much everything I bought was outgrown by the time that season rolled around.  DH and I talked about it and decided that in general, we'd just buy as needed.  Or ask for hand me downs.