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I usually do a twice a year swap of her clothes. And then I add whats needed. Usually shoes just buy as needed. She has a ton but some are used that she just wears occasionally.

I think Fiona dresses super cute.

I don't think of my boys having an awesome wardrobe but I am picky because boy clothes tend to be ugly. I don't buy used but I almost always buy on sale or with coupons at places like Gap, Gymboree, carters, and old navy. I also buy at the outlets of these stores. I don't budget for it - just buy as I need or see it. But if I had a girl, I'm sure I'd spend more.

@Mae: Well as we get hand me downs and I buy stuff on sale off season I store it in her closet. So like as fall approaches, I will get rid of her summer stuff (usually sell consignment, keep stuff that may fit next spring, or toss worn) and then I put out all of her fall/winter clothes. It also helps me get an idea of what we really need. With hand me downs I often will end up with like 4 jackets but no sweaters or something.

My kids are certainly not the best dressed but I spend hardly anything on their clothes. The majority are hand-me-downs from my sister and I fill in as necessary. Mostly just some pants for my oldest (her kids were chubby and mine are skinny), underwear, and shoes. Shoes are by far the most expensive. I buy sneakers and one other seasonal shoe - boots or sandals. My older also has been getting one pair of dressier shoes too. I buy as needed or when I see a sale and aside from shoes I usually try to buy only if around $5 or under per item and never more than $10. I'd guess maybe $200 max on everything in the past year.

Eta I just saw what you said about buying in advance. If you can find pants or shorts with adjustable waists you don't have to worry as much about them being too big.

@Mae: honestly, gap is ALWAYS running 40% off sales. if you get their emails, just make sure you check them when you need new clothes for LO. Seriously, you should never buy anything full price there!

As for buying ahead (like for next year) it definitely gets easier once they are in 2T, 3T etc.

ETA right now, gap is running 35% off with code STYLE

@Mae: sign up for the emails! You'll always have a coupon!

@Mae: Did you see the current Gap deal going on under the Hellobee "Deals" tab? You get $25 off a purchase of $50+ then you can stack it with a 30% off code. It only works on sale items but I got LO 3 dresses for $13 including tax.

My DD is better dressed than me, it's just so fun when *all* styles look good on them. I shop at osh kosh level places, and there's an outlet by us, and I'll only buy when they have 40% off (and usually I have a 15-25% coupon from a mailer...). We do go shopping somewhat frequently (twice/month?) just to peruse. I rarely buy more than 2 things at once since I try to only buy stuff I love. I really try to limit shoes to one pair per size, which per her preference are tennis shoes, but luckily her aunt usually gets her a pair of cute seasonal shoes like boots/sandals as well.

@Mae: Also when they get a bit older, there is a little bit more range. Pants are always the hardest (waist/length). But tops, dresses, socks, PJ, etc are easy to stock up on.

My mom shops at children's place literally everyday (she goes at lunch b/c its right outside her office) So a lot of her clothes came from my mom. I also have a friend at work who has a daughter 2 years older than mine and hands me down a lot of great pieces that she has. If we need something specific i try to buy on sale. I always seem to find good deals on stride rite shoes and surprisingly the Macy's website has been great for deals on dress clothes. Play clothes come from my mom, target clearance or old navy sales.

I think my kid is dressed well, but not like Janie Jack every day kind of well. I buy from a variety of places - consignment stores, consignment sales, Carters, Gap, ON and Gymboree.

When he was younger the consignment sales were fantastic. So many nice, or at least decent, clothes to be had. As he got bigger the second hand clothes look worse and worse for wear. But on the plus side, as he's gotten bigger/older his sizes have stopped changing so rapidly. So now I don't have to worry as much about his changing sizes midseason, which means I can buy half as much as I was previously.

I just did a lot of our fall shopping at Gymboree and I got him clothes I think will make it to next spring in terms of size. A lot of plaid button downs, long sleeve tees, etc. I think I spent $135 (used a 20% coupon) and that will probably be about 2/3 of his winter wardrobe. His pants from the spring still fit so I mostly needed shirts. I'll probably fill in with some more consignment stuff too. I send him to school in everything, but generally on the weekend I like to see him in his cuter outfits, and that's when I tend to take pics.

I buy second hand or on sale. Unless it's amazingly cute and I have to have it. I tend to spend more on J&J. I also like to buy one of a kind items that cost $$$. I don't really have a budget but I spend a lot.

@charlotte: girls are sooo expensive! Bows, accessories, etc! It's too much fun!!!

Grandma gifts, resale sites and big sales. I would never buy anything from Gap or Janie and Jack that wasn't on sale. I don't have a budget per se, but I try to just buy a few times a season when they actually NEED clothing and not when I just want to get something for them.

I buy 80% of things on sale (sometimes I have to pay full price for coats and shoes). Gap is a good example, I wait until there is a 30-40% off deal and then I will stock up. When I can get it (have someone bring or ship to me), I also buy crewcuts on sale. Also, my ILs live near an outlet that I love and I go crazy shopping when we visit them.

@Truth Bombs: ughhh yeah I hate the terrible phrases. My sons wardrobe is probably a bit boring for a lot of people. Lots of solid, plain shirts! I will spend a little more on the things that can be worn more- pullovers, jackets etc. that we might have to roll the sleeves up on in October but are perfect by Feb, etc. and we've found some great deals at jcrew factory and gap factory.

Oh I forgot to mention that I'm not really into store cards but I was talked into a Banana Republic card like a decade ago and I use that for my baby gap / gap factory purchases. It actually works well to pick out like $100 of clothing at gap, use a 40% off code, then use $20 or 30 of rewards and I end up getting a lot of things for not much $. But don't tell any other stores I said this (noooo I don't want to save 10% and get 57 credit cards!!!)