The best way to get the most out of the clothes you buy for your kids is to hand them down. Handing down to siblings, but also to friends and family, is the ultimate way to extend the life of little clothes. I personally love hand me downs (giving and receiving); over half of my daughter’s closet is composed of items her brother once wore. Usually when I shop, I keep the hand-me-down mentality in mind. This helps me get the biggest bang for my buck and lowers a lot of possible excess shopping. Here are some tips on how I shop for clothes that can be handed down.


TEES I think I naturally gravitate towards styles that work for both genders. Mostly I stick to classic styles or prints that are timeless or unisex.  Ways I style a tee to make it new:  layer it, roll up the sleeves, or tuck it in.

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SHIRTS Button downs are the best for being handed down. You can extend the life pretty great for your boy and they also have so much versatility when handed down to little girls. Ways I style a shirt to make it new: belt them, layer them under sweaters, layer them under dresses, layer over slips, or roll up the sleeves a bit.


PANTS Buy pants for boys from the girls’ section. As long as there is no girly stitching, embroidery or rhinestone action no one will be able to tell, and sometimes they fit way better anyway. Then in a couple years they can be handed down to a little girl (in our case a little sister). Also when it comes to boys’ jeans, they make the BEST brother jeans (my name for kiddo “boyfriend jeans”) when handed down to little girls.


COATS When buying big ticket items like coats, I try to really stick with classic or more unisex styles. Since my son is older, I buy him a coat in a style that his sister will also be able to wear in a year or two. When it comes to outerwear I always buy it a size or two too big; they can then grow into it as they wear it, and sometimes get a year or more of wear out of it (and then hand it down). And I always buy at end of season sales. Winter coats are pricey so I try to avoid the wallet hit by buying on sale.


BOOTS and SHOES Buy unisex styles and colors, especially when it comes to winter boots. Those bad boys are not cheap, but if you can get a few kids to wear the same pair of boots, the price is not too bad. Sometimes, to update a pair of old boots, I sub the laces with a fun color or I have been known to paint or dye shoes. Shoes are another item I like to buy larger and on sale. I rarely ever buy shoes that will fit them now (buying shoes they need now makes it hard to buy on sale). I keep my eyes open for sale shoes and buy large so they always have shoes to grow into.

Do you shop for clothes with a sibling or maybe a friend/family member in mind?

Mini Style – Tips & Tricks to Extend the Life of Clothes by Brandy part 7 of 7

1. Bang for Your Buck : Skater Tank Dress by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
2. Bang for Your Buck : Button-Down Shirt by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
3. Bang for Your Buck : Denim Shirt Dress by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
4. Bang For Your Buck : 3 Tips by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
5. Bang for Your Buck : Boys and Girls Skinny Jeans by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
6. Bang For Your Buck : A Few More Tips by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
7. Shopping for Clothes That Can be Handed Down by Brandy @ Heart & Habit

Bang for Your Buck part 8 of 10

1. Bang for Your Buck : Skater Tank Dress by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
2. Mini Belt DIY by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
3. Bang for Your Buck : Button-Down Shirt by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
4. Bang for Your Buck : Denim Shirt Dress by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
5. Bang For Your Buck : 3 Tips by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
6. Bang for Your Buck : Boys and Girls Skinny Jeans by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
7. Bang For Your Buck : A Few More Tips by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
8. Shopping for Clothes That Can be Handed Down by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
9. Bang For Your Buck: Shorts, Hoodies and Tees! by Brandy @ Heart & Habit
10. Bang For Your Buck: Beanies, Peplum Tops and Belts! by Brandy @ Heart & Habit