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Discount stores

Burlington Coat Factory
This national chain originated in New Jersey as—get this—a coat factory. While it still specializes in outerwear, you’ll also find designer togs for munchkins. The clothing at the Chelsea location can be hit or miss and tends to focus on American brands such as Baby Phat, Polo, Calvin Klein and Deréon, but the sizes run all the way from layette to tween. Check out the Baby Depot section for discounted furniture and nursery accessories like diaper pails, potty chairs and changing tables. Various locations; go to burlingtoncoatfactory.com.
FIND Rothschild pink trench coat with rosebud buttons, $40 (retails for $75)

Century 21
French kids are always dressed to the neufs in Naf Naf, Antik Batik, Catimini and Oilily. The littlest New Yorkers can sport the same je ne sais quoi by heading to Century 21. The Financial District branch is fine, but I’m a big fan of the Bay Ridge outpost. It’s devoid of the tourist crowd and has a handy parking lot around the back (it’s also accessible by the R train). Both locations carry an array of American name brands (Carter’s, Sean Jean, Polo, DKNY, Baby Phat and Laura Ashley) and sizes (layette to tween) at 40 to 70 percent off retail. You’ll also find great deals on shoes, socks, underwear, accessories, pajamas and coats. •22 Cortlandt St between Church St and Broadway (212-227-9092, c21stores.com); •472 86th St between Fourth and Fifth Aves, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (718-748-3266)
FIND Red floral Antik Batik belted dress, $30 (retails for $105)

Daffy’s
With seven stores in Manhattan, plus one each in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and Elmhurst, Queens, Daffy’s is your first stop for Euro brands. The children’s department is smaller and less well organized than at Century 21, but it’s stocked with duds by French and Italian designers for up to 50 percent off department store prices. The best steals here are the shoes. Half-price Naturinos from Italy walk off the shelves, so whenever I see a pair for my kids, I snag them. Various locations; go to daffys.com.
FIND Pink Tangerine pink and green butterfly skirt, $10 (retails for $28); Halabaloo pink swing top with green embroidered flowers, $20 (retails for $66); Naturino sneakers, $40 (retail for $90)

Firefly Children’s Boutique
Andrea Simoneau loves a bargain, so she started her own off-price children’s boutique. With locations in Park Slope and the South Street Seaport, Firefly stocks samples and excess production from high-end makers like Appaman, Plum and Cakewalk—at 30 to 40 percent off retail. Simoneau and her staff will even act as your tot’s personal shopper. Call them up with a specific request, and they’ll pull clothes and send pictures to your e-mail account. •224 Front St between Beekman St and Peck Slip (646-416-6560, fireflychildrensboutique.com); •240 Seventh Ave between 4th and 5th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-965-3535, fireflychildrensboutique.com)
FIND Jules T-shirt with appliqué, $20 (retails for $33)

KIDINI DISCOUNT DESIGNER CHILDREN’S SALE EVENTS
Founded by an entertainment attorney turned mom, Kidini hosts three massive annual blowouts (back-to-school, holiday and spring-summer) and a number of mini-sales featuring thousands of designer duds at 20 to 80 percent off retail. Wears are on the high end—fancy frocks, dressy slacks; even the underwear boasts a name (Paul Frank)—so deals are also on the pricey side. But with labels such as Okkies, Wonderboy, eyeSpy baby, Claesen’s, Appaman and Kicokids on the racks, you still walk out feeling like you got a bargain. Location varies; call 917-653-3643 or visit kidiniclothes.com. Join the e-mail list to partake of biweekly e-mail sales online.
FIND Halabaloo dress festooned with butterfly appliqués, $40 (retails for $60)  

Kidstown
For years I dismissed this NYC mini-chain. After checking it out, it’s on my must-visit list thanks to stock that’s similar to T.J. Maxx’s and Burlington’s but at half their price. You’ll find lots of urban bling for under $15: Baby Phat, Fubu and Puma. My daughter loved looking at the eye-level displays of socks, tights and hair accessories. The store’s layette department carries playpens, strollers, tubs, swings and more by such brands as Graco and Gerber. Various locations; go to kidstownusa.com.
FIND French Toast polka-dot leggings and ruffled tee, $4 each (retail for $8)

Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx
Owned by the same parent company, the two discount superchains were Saturday destinations for my mom and me back in the day. Now I regularly visit the Marshall’s inside Brooklyn’s Atlantic Center and the T.J. Maxx on Sixth Avenue at 18th Street. Once you weed through the racks of Dora T-shirts, you’ll likely find the same brands you’d see at Macy’s but for up to 50 percent less. Both stores carry children’s clothes, shoes, books and toys. Marshall’s recently added CUBE, a boutique for tweens and teens. Various locations; go to marshallsonline.com and tjmaxx.com.
FIND (at Marshall’s) Ralph Lauren polo shirt and plaid shorts set, $16 (retails for $36)
FIND (at T.J. Maxx) Baby Phat beige jeans with gold accents, $17 (retail for $32)

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