Other National Chain Store ~ Discussion: Gymboree ~ Do you buy ahead (in size)?

[jesuisprecieux]

I buy ahead ... way ahead. DH will be 3 in August - I buy up to 7/8 for her. DS will be 2 in September - I buy up to 5 for him. I mainly stock up during end of season clearance sales for the next year, but cute jeans and other basics that they will always need I get in bigger sizes when the price is right.

[ShoppingCartDiva]

DH will be 3? Wow. ;)

I couldn't resist. :D

Glad someone else buys ahead as far as I do!

[jesuisprecieux]

Originally Posted by ShoppingCartDiva DH will be 3? Wow. ;) I couldn't resist. :D Glad someone else buys ahead as far as I do!

It was late. I have 2 toddlers. lol nuff said

[kintx]

I buy ahead one full clothing size at Gymboree when the price is right. DD and DS really need no more clothes for this summer. They have so many that I need to make sure I rotate so things get worn.

But I did just go to COF last week and bought about 20 pieces for $60, mostly long sleeve shirts for DS and a couple for DD eventhough neither need anymore of those for next winter either. At $2.99 and $3.99 a piece plus an additional 30% off I just could not help myself, lol.

I usually don't buy more than one full size ahead in new clothes but if I find excellent shape Gymbo/Gap/Tommy/Ralph Lauren things at the resale store or a garage sale for 50cents a piece or so - I will buy 2 years ahead for each child.

They each have a huge box full of clothes and some hanging items in their closets in sizes that they can't wear yet.

[kdownie]

I'm with those who buy ahead one size. I got some $1 shirts for DD today in what I'm guessing will be next year's size. I don't do further than that, because who knows how fast she'll grow (she's just 2), and 5 years from now, she won't want to wear what is in style today!

[dominicsmommy]

Hi everybody!!
I just found my way to this post and I am SO glad I am not the only one who buys ahead!! LOL I have 1 son and he is 2 and I LOVE Gymboree clothes but they are so expensive. I wait for thing to get marked down and then buy. When they had their clearance sale a couple of weeks ago I bought a bunch of stuff that was like 3.99 up to 5.99. I also had a 30% coupon so I saved additional money. I usually but the clearance up one size from what he is now and hope it will fit in the fall/winter. At those prices I can't help myself and the best is their t.v. so my DS doesn't care about me taking forever!!
I also got a bunch of socks for .99 cents each and a pair of sneakers for next fall/winter for 5.00.

I also did some shopping this weekend because tanks/shorts were 8.00 and I used the 20% in the Parents magazine. I wasn't going to spend anymore money but I opened my magazine to read and there was the COUPON--so I knew it was fate--I had to go buy more!!

So, yes, yes, yes I love to buy ahead,
Kristy

[neglectarino]

I'm already buying the next size (might be done; rotating stuff over the next couple of weeks), but when I come across a great deal several sizes up, I will take it. I've got two sons, so if one can't wear it, odds are the other will. I try to buy very basic stuff: jeans, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, etc. I don't bother with socks & undies because that stuff doesn't vary too much in price. Definitely PJs, since the Gap stopped selling them (I'm still in slow burn over that). I especially do this when shopping second-hand, because in my experience, after my sons got past age 3, used clothing (jeans!!! PJs!!!) in decent condition became harder & harder to find (probably worn out since they are worn longer at those ages). I just got a bunch of stuff size 6/7/8 for my 5 yo son; the size 6 will be in play sometime next fall & I'd like to be ahead of the game for the next sizes since the things have been so tight financially. I've got a bunch of diaper boxes stacked in the closets with the sizes written on them. Poor kid #2; he hardly gets anything that hasn't already been worn by his brother.


ETA: any good suggestions for replacement for Gap's 2-piece PJs? Gymboree's OK, but they are heavier material, shrink like crazy & cost more. Old Navy's out (Gap store). I loved the Gap ones: all cotton & they were great for active boys. Now I have no reason to send the Gap any business because the PJs were what I always was on the hunt for.

[kintx]

Originally Posted by neglectarino ETA: any good suggestions for replacement for Gap's 2-piece PJs? Gymboree's OK, but they are heavier material, shrink like crazy & cost more. Old Navy's out (Gap store). I loved the Gap ones: all cotton & they were great for active boys. Now I have no reason to send the Gap any business because the PJs were what I always was on the hunt for.

I don't know what gap PJs were like - we never had any. But we LOVE Carter's PJs here. I buy them on clearance at Kohl's with a coupon - usually comes out better than clearance at the carters store. Just got a gown for DD yesterday for $3.60 minus 15% coupon.

[neglectarino]

Originally Posted by kintx I don't know what gap PJs were like - we never had any. But we LOVE Carter's PJs here. I buy them on clearance at Kohl's with a coupon - usually comes out better than clearance at the carters store. Just got a gown for DD yesterday for $3.60 minus 15% coupon.

Never thought of Kohl's! Thanks for the tip!

[ShoppingCartDiva]

My favorite PJs in the world are Carter's. 90% of DDs are Carter's pajamas. I buy them ahead in all sorts of sizes, styles and weights (some heavy, some light). Kohl's is a great place to check. Also check the major department stores. After the season is over, you can usually get some great deals. I got about 20 pairs of jammies for DD from either JC Penney or Sears (I forget which) for less than $50, almost all were 2 piece Carters jammies, ranging in size from 2T to size 6.

Even though I dislike the Carters knock-off brand at wal-Mart, you can sometimes find them cheap. I bought a bunch for $1.50 apiece when they were clearancing some out.