Shopping

Overview | Discount stores | Consignment/resale | Thrift shops | Retail chains | Exchange

Retail chains

The Children’s Place
This chain, whose locations have multiplied like mushrooms throughout the city, can’t be beat for staples such as T-shirts, leggings and pajamas. The website offers even better deals, undercutting in-store prices and tacking on a standard $5 shipping fee to every order. Various locations; go to childrensplace.com.
FIND Striped cotton footie pajamas, three pairs for $25

H&M
Like the adult collection, kids’ clothes at this Swedish chain have a bit more style than their American counterparts. (And if your kids are like mine, they’ll love riding the long escalators to the children’s department at the 34th Street store.) You’ll find everything from camo high-tops to Hello Kitty ballet leotards. And don’t get me started on the amazing deals on accessories. Various locations; go to hm.com.
FIND Three-pack of boys’ striped T-shirts or tanks, $10

KMART
Even though this suburban staple has been in Manhattan since the mid-’90s, shopping here seems so uncool—until you spot the prices. From cheap bodysuits adorned with Winnie the Pooh and Elmo to cute tween ensembles emblazoned with Miley and Zac, the chain's bounty of pop-culture apparel invites parents to stock up for less. The seasonal sales are insane: Dresses that were $20 during the summer go for $10 once the kids are back in school. And they have shoes, too. Various locations; go to kmart.com.
FIND Just Imagine pink girl’s leotard with flounce and rhinestone heart, $13

Kohl’s
Kohl’s always seems to have sale racks offering 30 to 60 percent off brands like Carter’s, Chaps and Levi’s—which means those $12 graphic T-shirts your son just has to have are marked down as low as $4.80. •8973 Bay Pkwy at 18th Ave, Bath Beach, Brooklyn (718-266-6357, kohls.com); •2239 Forest Ave, Staten Island (718-447-7101)
FIND OshKosh appliqué alligator tee, $14

Old Navy
Those mannequin commercials may be annoying, but Old Navy makes up for it by offering trendy looks for kids at super cheap prices (just don’t count on the stuff lasting more than one season). Pick up skirts, tanks and sundresses for girls (on a recent trip, I spotted $10 frocks with funky patterns) and button-downs and khaki shorts for boys. Various locations; go to oldnavy.com.
FIND Sparkle fairy tee, $7.50; cotton bubble miniskirt, $9.50

Target
Circo sundresses and ballet flats from Tar-zhay are de rigueur spring attire at my daughter’s school. At less than $10 a pop, who’s complaining? Striped tees and khaki shorts for boys, plus socks, panties, jackets and pajamas, round out the sprawling children’s department. Various locations; go to target.com.
FIND Cherokee skull-and-crossbones oxford shirt, $10; knock-off Crocs, $8?

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