Neil's Blog

What Does My New Baby Really Need? A Guide To Shopping For Your New Baby

What is it do I really need to buy for my new baby? While writing my latest book found at www.CareForMyBaby.com I found that this is a question a lot of new moms must ask themselves. Having a new baby is a huge expense, and it is hard to stay on budget when you see all of the cute outfits in the stores.

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The Hows and Whys of Vintage Clothes Shopping

Why Vintage?

Why would anyone want to wear vintage clothing? First of all, it’s fun! When you wear vintage, you stand out from the crowd. The chances of someone else wearing the same exact outfit to that special event are slim to none. More and more high school girls are shopping vintage for dances and proms because it guarantees originality. Yasmine, a vintage clothing collector from Los Angeles, says, “I wear vintage so I can add a little something authentically retro to my clothing and not look the same as everyone else, which is difficult in style-conscious L.A..”

Vintage clothing is also nostalgic. Remember the good old days when there were party lines and soda shops? Me neither, but wearing vintage gives a girl the chance to experience a small part of history. In today’s ambiguous world, it feels nice to pull on a crinoline and full feminine skirt once in a while. Let’s face it: grown-up girls like to play dress up, too!

For the thrifty, the prices on vintage items should be incentive enough. Local thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales are excellent sources of old clothing at unbelievable prices. Broke? Go volunteer to help clean out grandma’s attic! I’ve gotten several vintage pieces handed down to me since I began collecting about two years ago.

Online Shopping

The internet has made it easy for vintage clothing enthusiasts to comparison shop and buy items that may not be available in their area. Type “vintage clothing” into any search engine and you’ll get hundreds of results. There are a few things you should know before purchasing vintage wear online, however.

Carol, owner of Dandelion Vintage, a fun and inexpensive online Vintage Clothing shop based in New Jersey, recommends that first-time buyers be aware of what it means to buy and wear vintage clothing. “It’s not like something new and fresh from Macy’s, it’s going to feel different and smell differently (there is no “new” clothing smell) and the items do need to be treated a little more carefully,” she said, adding that customers should always ask questions up front about the garments, especially if they are unsure of the size or condition. When shopping vintage online, she says, be sure to read the site’s terms of sales, ordering procedure, and return policy before ordering.

There are many different styles and eras to choose from. Items from the late 19th century on up through the 1980′s are available. Whatever your style, you’re sure to find something to suit you. Carol suggests customers buy what they like and avoid following trends, which is excellent advice when it comes to collecting of any type.

Making it Work

Vintage clothing can be teamed up with modern apparel or mixed and matched with other vintage pieces. Back in L.A. Yasmine says, “I find that wearing head to toe vintage is just not practical in day to day life, but by adding a few pieces I can create a look that is uniquely my own. I often buy high-end designer shoes and team them with a $1.00 vintage dress and a Gap cardigan. The look is pulled together and definitely mine.”

There you have it: vintage clothes are fun, affordable, and enable the wearer to create and maintain an original look. So what are you waiting for? Go shopping!

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Baby Clothes: 7 Money Saving Shopping Tips for New Parent

Perhaps the biggest problem with baby clothes is that they don’t last. Not because they wear out, but because your baby quickly out grows them.

It’s important to plan your baby clothes shopping around the growth of your baby. If you don’t, you could be wasting money.

Keep in mind these seven tips while you plan your baby clothes shopping:

1. Wear a Larger Size

People say babies grow fast, and they’re right about that. You’ll be wasting money if you buy perfect fitting clothes because they’ll soon be too small. Buying a larger size will extend the amount of time your baby can wear them.

2. Make a Weather Prediction

Stop and think for a moment about clothes labels that state size in terms of a baby’s age, such as 12 or 18 months. Then ask this question: “When my baby is X months old, what will the weather or temperature be like?” Get the answer to this question correct and you’ll buy clothes that not only fit, but also will be appropriate for the season.

3. Find Easy To Put On Outfits

Sometimes you’ll struggle to dress your baby into an outfit you want him to wear. Outfits that come in several pieces, button from behind or pull over the head may require more of your patience and time. Outfits that come in one piece, open in the front, have zippers, or snap buttons should be easier to deal with.

4. Have Enough for Emergencies

Food can drop on your baby’s clothes while you’re feeding him. If your baby becomes sick, he might throw-up on his outfit. When a messy accident occurs, you’ll need a clean set of clothes ready for your baby to wear.

5. Save at The Clearance Racks

You can save a bundle at the clearance racks. Almost every type of store has these. In addition, if you wait for a big sale you can save even more. Some stores will also markdown the clearance item further at the cash register.

6. Accept Hand Me Downs

Your family and friends may want to give you their children’s baby clothes. They may have new clothes that their baby didn’t have a chance to wear. If you decide to accept what they are willing to give, you’ll save yourself some money, especially if they have clothing you would have bought.

7. Exchange Old Clothes for Cash

Sell the clothes your baby no longer fits into on eBay. eBay is just an example. There are many other ways to trade your old clothes for cash. You may not make as much as you had originally paid for them, however, you’ll at least earn some of your money back.

Summary

If getting the most use out of the clothes you buy for your child is important to you, then the seven tips in this article should help you accomplish this. Take these ideas with you the next time you go baby clothes shopping. You’ll feel good about the clothes you buy for your baby and the money you’re going to save.

Wanda Lam, a working mom, will show you how to save as much as 80% on name brand children clothes, shoes, accessories and more. Visit Baby Clothes Store to discover the bargains just waiting for new parents like you.

About the author:

Wanda knows how to find deals and bargains. She is a mom and homemaker and works full time in the pharmaceutical industry. She graduated with a degree in nutrition from a 4-year university.

Written by: Wanda Lam

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