How much was your last bill on children clothing? Better yet, how much should you spend on children clothing? Blunt questions. However, as with anything, having a budget and keeping to it makes a huge difference. Here’s some interesting insights as of July this year via Forbes – Back to School Financial Budget Lessons!
Sticking with the budget topic for a second, findings show that, over 29 million households will spend over $27.6 billion dollars on back-to-school items this year. Obviously, clothing is a large part of this. What’s more interesting and yet disturbing, is that, one-third of Americans maintain a household budget! Obviously household income comes into play here but we’ll be looking at a few brands across the price spectrum.
We prefer to get the best deals available, who doesn’t? Even then, what’s considered a “good of deal”? By the time you leave the store, that good of a deal is no longer a deal! To help you out, we set out to do some research on clothing prices as well as budgeting. More specifically, we’ll be looking at a few brands that encompass both a lower-middle brand as well as a premium label. There’s a huge variety of children clothing available so we’ll be focusing on the basics such as pants, tops, PJs and shoes for toddlers.
Let’s find out how much should you spend on children clothing!
Brand: George (Walmart)
Pants: Fleece Joggers takes the first place here. Versatile and warm, these toddle jogger pants are made from 60% cotton and 40% polyester. Perfect for any outfit, these toddle jogger pants are sure to also please your wallet! How about a $3.99 deal? That’s a steal for such warm and comfortable pants, so get yours today. We’ve got a few pairs and we’re happy with it.
Tops: Denim Shirt and/or the half zipped hoodie are worth a consideration here. We’re particualry like the half zipped hoodie and the design. This is also made from 100% cotton which is great. What’s even greater is the price! At $10.97, you can’t go wrong with such a cute hoodie that your son can wear anywhere for any occasion!
PJs: Space/Dream Big – this PJ set is as cute as it gets. Made from 100% cotton, this PJ set is very comfortable. It also offers elastic ankles and cuffs for a snug fit. What we love the most is the price! At $8.97 for the entire set, you can’t go wrong with 100% cotton PJ set at this price!
Shoes: There’s not much variety here for boys but we like the George Toddler Boys Stone Sneakers. At $19.97, they are not the cheapest sneakers on the market but it’s worth a look. Made from microsuede, these cute sneakers offer a velcro closure along with cushion foam insoles. The soles are made of rubber, so it should be durable. We like to see more offering for boys, so something to think about Walmart?
Brand: Carter’s – Oshkosh
Pants: Carte’s Pull-On French Terry Joggers takes the win here. Made out of 100% cotton, these joggers feature ribbed cuffs and covered elastic waistband for a comfortable fit. There are also 2 sides pocket. Available in different colours and patters, these Carter’s joggers are on promo as we speak for $$9.97 versus the regular price of $14.50! Great deal for a well rounded toddler pair of pants!
Tops: Carter’s Monster Texture Tee Long Sleeves. This soft long sleeve tee look as well feels very comfortable. With ribbed cuffs and neckline, this 100% cotton made top is an excellent choice for your toddler. Price right at $6.97, it’s definitely worth a look! Regular price is $10.50. We also like and suggest the original Oshkosh B’gosh Originals Graphic Tee (long sleeves), priced at $6.97 also!
PJs: Carte’s One Piece Firetruck Fleece PJs. We bought this PJ set a while back and we’re very happy with it. Priced well at $16, it is made of quality micro fleece (100%) and is not chemically treated, an added bonus for your toddler! The PJ set zips from ankle to chin and has non-slip gripper footies. A great PJ set that we recommend for those cozy nights especially when colder out.
Shoes: Carter’s Light Up Sneakers for Toddlers. We really like the these light, comfortable and stylish sneakers. Made from breathable mesh and contrast sticking, these sneakers are sure to please your toddler! The insoles are also padded for extra comfort. Although not cheap at $28, these are worth a look if you’re looking for a pair of durable and stylish sneakers for your child. Bonus: for an extra $2, their high top sneakers are also a cool option!
Brand: Gap
Pants: Pull-on Slim Fit Jeans are our top recommendation. These toddler jeans are made of premium quality denim and come in assorted washes. There’s a draw strip attached on some models as well as five pockets. Most jeans are made of 80% cotton with a blend of a few other materials such as polyester and spandex. Bonus: look online under Deals for Toddlers and you’ll be able to save considerably. These jeans are priced at $19 from $39.95 regular price!
Tops: Turtleneck Long Sleeve Shirt is a classic choice! We love the 100% cotton, soft knit turtle neck for toddlers from the Gap. This long sleeve top is very comfortable as well as stylish for any occasion. You’ll also love the pricing! Priced at $9 when on sale, regular $19.95, this turtleneck long sleeve shirt is a must have for your child.
PJs: Organic Cloud PJ Set hits the mark! Made from 100% organic cotton, this PJ set is sure to please every mom or dad that is looking for a high quality set. The price is reasonable for what you are getting, priced at $$39 (on sale) from the regular $42.95, this is worth considering and it is our recommended pick in this category! How much should you spend on children clothing, particularly on organic cotton? We believe that anything under $40 is worth it!
Shoes: The Duck Boots are the coolest but we can’t resist the stylish Cord Hi-Top Sneakers! With a zip on the side and lace-up stylizing these hi-top sneakers from Gap are the the appropriate choice when paired up with the jeans and the turtleneck mentioned above. The sturdy rubber sole also provides good traction and ensures durability. A bit on the pricy side of $49.95, these hi-top sneakers for toddlers from the Gap are definitely worth it!
Recommendation:
Here’s our final recommendations: for everyday use, consider lower to middle brands such as George and Carter’s Oshkosh as described in detail above. There are a lot of varieties to chose from and the quality is decent. Remember that your children will outgrow their clothing fairly fast. For special occasions and for a dressier look, we suggest the Gap offerings for children. However, you can mix and match the brands above to fit any occasion! This also gives you a great opportunity to save accordingly while having your toddler look stylish and comfortable!
Conclusion:
So, how much should you spend on children clothing? We believe that, the most important thing to consider before anything, is a budget, regardless of your income. On average, from the research we conducted, about a 3% to 5% of your monthly net income could be set aside for children clothing.
For example, if you’re making $3,000 per month, a $90 to $150 per month is reasonable. There’s no fancy formula for it really. This is all subjective as some parents spend more than others. Recall that only one third or parents have a budget set. You can use this as a guide and come up with what works for your children and family overall.
What about you? Does this information convince you how much should you spend on children clothing per month? What are some of your favourite brands? We love to hear what other parents are considering for their children, where they shop and how to get the best deals around on quality children clothing! Please let us know in the comments below.
