Consignment Shopping for Stylish Kids

We need some new duds, pardner.

It’s fall again, and I’m facing last year’s dilemma: my three-year-old has outgrown all his clothes. It seems he’s shot up five inches in just as many weeks, so all the cold-weather purchases I’ve already made for him aren’t going to last through the end of the month.

What’s a mom to do???

This year, I’ve got an ace in my pocket. An upcoming Rhea Lana consignment sale is just the ticket for filling our closets with warm, affordable, adorable clothing. Now the only problem is figuring out what to purchase.

I’ve developed a shopper’s plan for design-conscious moms who want their kids to rock this season’s fashion trends without wrecking the budget. It’s easy to find these items at consignment sales like Rhea Lana, because the same styles in kids’ fashion rotate fairly quickly (think a five-year cycle instead of the typical ten-year women’s fashion cycle). This means that the fashions often showing up in consignment are back on trend. Double Ace in pocket!!

Here's my shopper's plan for the Fall 2012 season:

1. Shop COLOR! This season, color is making a huge comeback for kids. The more subdued charcoals and browns of last year have been replaced by nearly neon pinks and greens for girls, and vibrant blues and purples for boys. Don’t be afraid to try adding new colors to your kiddo’s wardrobe--just pair particularly punchy brights with toned down jeans, skirts or accessories.


2. Look for the detail. Detailed tees are big this season, with fancy line-art, funky graphics, and punchy pop styles. When shopping consignment, look for art that doesn’t look dated--try to avoid purchasing items with a production year prominently displayed.


3. Fancy Pants. For girls, dresses and leggings are still stylish. For a little flair, find ruffled or glammed-up leggings for your petite tot. Simpler styled leggings are more appropriate for older girls.


4. Old School is new school. Preppy fashion is still big for boys, with graphic rugbies, more tailored shoes, and long-sleeve polos topping the wish-lists of fashion-savvy moms.


5. Rugged but tailored. Cadet-inspired pants, though more rugged, are also showing up on fall fashion runways, often paired with those detailed tees mentioned above.

Below are items that are almost always in fashion. These are staple purchases you really shouldn't pass up if the price is right.

For boys:
You can’t go wrong with corduroys, plain boot-leg jeans in medium to dark blue, flat-front khakis, polo shirts, and classic-patterned button-down shirts.

For girls:
Cardigans, dark blue jeans, classic-cut sweaters (rounded neck, simple pattern or solid colors), knee-length dresses, and simple smocked dresses (for girls under three) are adorable every year.

Wish me luck shopping! I'll be back with an update after the sale...