Clothes shopping with kids can be a challenge.  Gone are the days when you casually stroll in and out of the shops, taking your time to browse and try on different outfits.  Shopping with your kid, or kids, is a different experience altogether.  Do not fret however – it can be a successful one if you are well prepared for it!

Kids or no kids?

Clothes shopping with kids is not the ideal scenario, and, if you can avoid taking your kids with you – do so!  Shopping is not something that is typically enjoyed by littles, so do not feel guilty about not taking your child along with you.  Besides, you deserve a few hours off shopping to your heart’s content!

Here are a few ideas you can pick up.  Some involve not taking the kids at all, whilst others involve some crafty alternatives:

1. If you have the luxury of having family members who are happy to watch your child for a couple of hours, go for it!

2. Your partner or husband might be up for some bonding time with their little one.  Try suggesting it!

3. Ask one of your mama friends (especially one in the same situation as you!) to have your child over for an afternoon or so.  You can return the favour later.

4. Sometimes I take my kids with me, my husband too.  We go into a few shops and once the kids start getting impatient my husband takes them for ice cream or to the swings or park.

5. If your child attends nursery, daycare or school, take a day off whilst they are being taken care of.

6. Shop online.  My favourites are ASOS UK & Next (UK).  ASOS has free returns and so many brands to choose from – and Next deliver in 2 to 3 days, and have a fabulous range of kids and home products!  Clothes shopping with kids has never been easier! 😀

Clothes shopping with kids – how to make it work

Let’s lay out the groundwork.  The tips I am about to share with you are handy to use in any scenario really, but they are absolutely essential if you are taking your kids with you.

Before you go shopping, make sure you know what you are shopping for
Going in and out of ten shops with no plan will not exactly make for a successful spree.  Do make sure you have taken stock of what you have, and what you need.  Making a list is not a bad idea at all.  I, for one tend to forget very quickly (mama brain?!).  Not only that, once I start browsing around my favourite shops I usually get lost oohing and aahing over the gorgeous fabrics, prints and pieces, and then what?  It’s like going to the supermarket when you’re hungry with no shopping list – and a child!

Dress for success
Wear comfortable clothes, so you can last all day if you need to.  Pick the right underwear.  Opt for a skin colour, convertible bra (check one out at ASOS UK).
If you’re shoe shopping, I would suggest wearing tights or socks (or taking them with you), rather than having to ask for a pair at the shop.
When picking your handbag, choose one that is practical for a shopping spree.  Make sure both your hands are free.  Thankfully, backpacks are all the rage right now!  Cross-body bags are also great, if not better, since they are easier to access.  Anything too heavy, large or complicated to access is a definite no-no.
You need to be able to be in out of the changing room in a jiffy.  Wear clothes which are easy to take off and put back on over and over agin.  Avoid wearing anything which you cannot put on unaided, such as a dress with a long zip in the back.  Try not to wear shoes with laces, or boots which take forever to be pulled off and on again.  Belts, very tight trousers or lots of buttons are best to be avoided.
It’s not just the clothes you wear which will help you get in and out faster out of a dressing room.  Think hair, makeup and accessories too.  If you have a bun which needs fixing each time you change your top, chances are you will spend more time on your hair than thinking about what to buy.  Do not opt for excessive jewellery which will slow you down, such as layered or chunky necklaces, large earrings or bracelets which need to be removed.  Make up.  Do not opt for bold coloured lips which can be easily smeared, or glossy lips for the matter.

Shopping with a baby

Babies are generally happy to be taken along anywhere, as long as they are fed, clean and comfortable.  Take advantage of this and enjoy shopping with a wee one!  Nina was taken along for her first shopping spree when she was a mere ten days old.  It was doable, and enjoyable too.  Here’s the full photo which I used for the blog header so you can see how relaxed she was!  Notice how the pushchair served another purpose too!

Here are a few pointers to take home with you.

1. Take a blanket, or two
   Regardless of the season, always have an extra blanket on hand.  Summer weather calls for ice-cold temperatures inside the shops.  You might need to cover your baby.  If it’s wintertime, chances are it’s very hot inside, which means your bundle of joy will need an extra layer before exiting.
2. Time your baby’s feeds
   Make an effort to be sitting down for a coffee break when your baby is due for a feed.  This is not essential, as babies are happy to be fed anywhere.  You might be more comfortable and relaxed sorting out your baby’s feed in a cafe somewhere.  If so, try to plan for it.
3. Be ready to feed on the go
   If your baby gets hungry in the middle of your spree, don’t panic.  If you can find somewhere to sit, all the better, but if not, you can manoeuvre preparing a bottle and handling a baby if you have the right tools.  Pre-portion the formula in a formula storage container.  Store everything you need to prepare a bottle in a handy compartment.  Breastfeeding is obviously easier to manage, if you are comfortable feeding your baby anywhere.
4. Make the most of your pushchair
   Strollers make for perfect shopping buddies! My daughter’s stroller had a diagonal stroller bar instead of two individual handles, and I used to find it very handy for throwing clothing items I wanted to try on over it.  I also use little hooks which hang onto the bar with velcro, and hand bags and clothing items on them.  You can have a look at the photo above for reference.  Make use of your buggy’s basket and ladle it with all the things you need for a successful spree, such as your extra blanket, a toy or two, and other baby bits and pieces.

Clothes shopping with older kids

Once kids start walking, shopping proves to be a bit more of a challenge.  In situations like this, I tend to have a few tricks up my sleeve.

1. Bend the rules
   If there was ever an occasion for screen time, this is it.  Do not feel bad for giving your child a tablet so he can entertain himself whilst you can get your shopping done in peace.  However, please do be considerate for fellow shoppers, and keep the volume way low.
2. Whip out a few surprises
   Prepare an entertainment pack for the day.  You can include stickers, a colouring book, colours, and a few bits and bobs from your local ‘Dollar Store’, ‘Pound Shop’, ‘Euro Shop’ or ‘Tal-Lira’ as we have in Malta 🙂
3. Take a few snacks
   Careful with this one, though.  See that the snacks you pack are relatively easy to eat and do not leave a trail of crumbs or a mess.  Try apple slices, dried fruit, cereal, mini sandwiches, or pre-packaged snacks.

Before you go…a few more tips for clothes shopping with kids!

• Eat a nutritious meal before you go shopping.  You need all the energy you can get!
• Always pack water and snacks for everyone, and not just your children!  Do not forget about your husband or partner, or the person accompanying you.
• Keep your bags and stroller organised, so you or anyone else along for the ride can easily find what they need.
• Check that your mobile phone is not on silent, and store it somewhere accessible in case you need to make a quick phone call if the kids are not with you but being entertained by someone else.
• Take cash.  If you have a budget that is 🙂  Do not waste time doing the math.
• Inspect the garment you are buying.  Be sure it does not have any damages.  Save yourself a trip!
• Choose one place, say a specific zipper, and keep all your receipts there.  This will ensure you will find it if you need to return anything.
• If you can avoid going shopping on the busiest days, do so!  The more commotion there are in the shops, the more likely your kids will be tense.  It’s also harder to park, harder to browse, and till and dressing room queues can be a bit of a nightmare!

Try my tips and see how it goes!  If you’re still not convinced, start small.  Go to one or two stores and spend an hour or so, and see how it goes.  You can always go for a few short shopping sessions rather than one day-long spree.  See what works best for you, adapt, and enjoy!

Happy shopping mamas! xxx

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