Reply #110: Do you have children you have to buy clothing for?

[WCIL]

I am genuinely asking, because finding quality kids clothing at the thrifts takes time, and the selection is just not as varied as the selection is for adults. There is plenty of clothing up through the toddler sizes, but from there it is very hit or miss. I tried to buy used for my children, and was successful most of the time because I could shop seasons ahead. When they had an unexpected growth spurt that I wasn't prepared for, most of the time I had to buy new. When your daughter needs a coat, and your choice is a worn out Wal-Mart coat from the thrift shop for $35 dollars or a brand new Columbia coat on sale for $50 at Kohls that can be handed down to other children, it makes more sense to buy the Columbia coat.

My town has a Salvation Army, an independent Church thrift shop, and several for-profit resale shops. The re-sale shops want boutique prices for worn out clothing or specialize in business suits and career wear- not clothing for teens or children. There are finds at the other two, but can the foster child or his foster parents shop every day to snatch up that bargain as it comes in? I don't think it would be possible to immediately outfit a child using only thrift stores, and it is my understanding that many foster children come into a home with only the clothes on their backs, especially in an emergency situation.