We asked Suzanne Rielle, owner and co-founder of LoobaLee.com for size tips when it comes to buying and selling kids clothing  on resale.  LoobaLee.com offers a premier resale marketplace, custom for kids clothing, for the savvy Mom who likes to dress their kids in quality and style, but loves a bargain too.

On SizeTracker.com, you have so amazingly tackled the problem we all can frustrated with — children’s clothing sizing can vary widely among brands, so how do we minimize the worries of shopping online?   Your size calculators for hundreds of popular brands are extremely helpful!   Although when it comes to resale, there is one major factor that comes into play making each and every piece of clothing one-of-a-kind:  How many times has it been washed and/or dried?  And how?

I personally hang dry all my valuable children’s clothing — especially 100% cotton.   But, many Moms don’t have time or take time for this step.   And, I don’t wash in hot water unless necessary.  Caring well for my kids clothing helps me maximize my return on investment when I’m ready to sell.

As a Seller of my children’s clothing, I always take key measurements of the items I’m putting up for sale on LoobaLee if they have been washed — even once.    I don’t need to do this for New With Tag items, because brand size charts and the SizeTracker.com calculators can be referenced.

I encourage all Sellers on LoobaLee to take key measurements and enter them in the description of their listings.   This helps them move their inventory, and helps them minimize the possibility of an unhappy customer.   It only takes a moment to take the 1-2 key measurements on item, such as pant inseam, arm length, waist, length of skirt or dress, etc.     We also advise listing an item under the size noted on the tag, rather than estimate a size if they think it runs small or large.

For shoppers browsing kids clothing on LoobaLee.com, I recommend you look for these measurements in the listing descriptions, especially on items that are not New.   If they aren’t available, and you are unsure about fit, you can ask the Seller for the measurements before you buy.   Referencing available size charts on SizeTracker.com can also be helpful to you in understanding how a brand’s size ranges work.  This will give you an idea if the garment you are interested in has “wiggle room” or not.

One of the best ways to shop resale online is to shop up a full size.   Since all 100% cotton clothing (which is a favorite among kids) has a tendency to shrink in the washer and/or dryer, you will likely find some gems that will be a perfect fit if you go up a size.   Any shrinkage should be reflected in the Seller’s pricing too, so you are also likely to find some bargains.

Shopping resale can be a lot of fun!  Everything truly is one-of-a-kind, so do take the time to understand what you are buying.   Many children’s styles transcend time, especially those that were designed and manufactured with quality in mind, and you can find many wonderful brands and styles at bargain prices.    Plus, you will likely be able to turn around and re-sell the items again!   It’s a great strategy for helping both your pocketbook and our environment.

Over the next few weeks, we will be writing about some of the cool features and tools you can find on the SizeTracker website in a series of posts called SizeTracker 101. This is the seventh in the series.

When we first developed the children’s clothing size chart calculator, we were thinking about what size children wear now and when they might grow out of it.  A friend quickly pointed out to us, though, that it would be more helpful to know what size her kids will wear next season – it was a great idea, and one we decided to pursue!

And then it hit us: we could reverse things and not just estimate what size a child will wear on a future date, but also estimate the future date when a child will grow into a specific size.

Why does this matter?

To me, this is one of the coolest aspects of the size chart calculator.  This is simply because the organizer in me knows that this tool gives me the ability to store hand me downs and too-large clothing gifts by grow-into date, rather than by size.

Unfortunately, sizes vary across brands and, a size 3 from one brand may fit differently from a size 3 in an other.  Oops – that cute little dress or overall set you were waiting to bring out of storage is already too small.

How do I use the Size Chart Calculator to find grow-into dates?

The main Size Chart Calculator lets you choose what size information you need.  Simply select “Find date when child will grow into a size” and follow the next steps.

The Calculator will prompt you to enter your preferred measurement system, the brand of the clothing item you have, what type of item it is (e.g. top, bottom, outfit, etc.), and what clothing size is listed on the item’s label.

You will also be asked for your child’s measurements.  Use the earliest date as a guide.  Store items by date, rather than by size, and pull them out when the label says they are ready to be worn.

Please do keep in mind that all estimated sizes are just that: estimates.  We cannot account for unexpected growth spurts, clothing that has shrunk in the wash significantly, or variations in product cut.  But, the estimates do take into account your child’s current measurements, expected growth pattern, and the brand’s suggested size guidelines.

Happy hand me downs!

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According to the National Retail Federation’s 2010 Consumer Intentions and Actions Back to School survey, clothing purchases by American families on new items such as jeans, shirts, and shoes, are expected to average $225.47 per child, the single largest back-to-school expense for the year.

The question is: Do our children really need all of this clothing and does it all need to be new, or have we set an expectation that puts unnecessary pressure on our families’ budgets and on the environment?

Sure, I remember wanting the latest and greatest when I started school; there’s just something about starting fresh.  But, trends have changed. Today, kids and parents alike are less concerned about completely new, are often fine with “new to me”, and have become more aware of the negative impact that clothing production and waste can have on the earth.

With the phenoma of children’s clothing swaps and the recent emergence of sites like thredUP, LoobaLee, and Bebaroo, children’s clothing upcycling – in the forms of exchange/trade, resale, and rental respectively – has become a common way for parents to spend less and get more.  Interestingly, these efforts to save money are also eco-friendly.

What are my top 5 tips for saving money and the planet this back to school season?

1. Check your child’s closet and see what still fits and looks well cared-for; replace too-small and worn-out items with ones that your child will be proud to wear to school.
2. Organize a clothing swap with other parents from your child’s school – or, if you think the children will be concerned about wearing their older classmates’ hand-me-downs, look for a regional swaps that will help make the source more anonymous (and probably broaden the available selection).
3. Try a web-based children’s clothing exchange, resale, or rental service, such as the ones mentioned above.
4. Entertain your teen’s unique style at the local thrift store.
5. Take care of your children’s clothing so it lasts longer.

Happy BTS shopping!

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Over the next few weeks, we will be writing about some of the cool features and tools you can find on the SizeTracker website in a series of posts called SizeTracker 101. This is the sixth in the series.

One of the things you’ll notice if you start using the SizeTracker size chart calculator to find sizes in different brands is that the body measurements we request differ from brand to brand.  Carhartt’s (example 1 below) only asks for two measurements, while Old Navy asks for 4 (example 2).

We don’t do this to drive you crazy.  Instead, we do it to help find the best size possible for your child.  We ask for the body measurements that the brand uses to determine the best fit.  Not just height and weight, but whatever is recommended.

Every brand has their own sizing guidelines.  Some are basic, using height and weight only.  Others are more in-depth, asking for chest, waist, hip, neck, inseam, arm length, etc… The more complex size guidelines typically belong to well-established brands with a broad range of product types.

Theoretically speaking, the more measurement points used, the more information you will have about how a brand will fit your child’s body. Height might help you understand if an item will be too long or too short, but the inseam measurement is more specific.  Girth measurements like waist, hip, and chest can help you see if it might be tight or loose on your child.  Neck and arm length measurements can help with fitted shirts.

Do I have to enter all measurements?

Technically, no.  If you happen to be shopping for pants, then you can select pants from the list of product types offered by a brand.  You will only be asked to enter the measurements required to find the best fit.

Do I have to enter my child’s measurement each time I use the calculator?

Only if you leave the site.

Because entering your child’s measurements each time you use the size chart calculator can be a little frustrating, we’ve programmed the system to remember the measurements you enter while you are using the site.  You can always change the measurements if you change the child you are looking for size information for.

One way to ensure that you don’t have to enter your child’s measurements, except when they grow a bit, is by creating an account.  By saving your child’s measurement profile, we will track their sizes in your favorite brands over time.  You can also shop on the site, and we will automatically suggest sizes that are specific to whichever child you are shopping for – just select their name/nickname in the product page calculator and SizeTracker will do the rest.

Just a note: Because different brands use different measurements, we may need you to enter more body measurements if you start looking for sizes in brands with more complex size-charts.  For information on how to take measurements, see the earlier post: Taking your Child’s Body Measurements to find Clothing Sizes.

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The temperature is cooling down and the stores are fully stocked with book bags and clothing basics.  Must be back to school time again.  Here are ten tips to help you find what clothing your kids will need for back-to-school at a price you can afford.

Determine what you really need: Check your kids’ closets to see if you really need to buy all new clothing and shoes.  It is very possible that they have items left from the previous season that still fit and are in decent shape.  This will help you shop only as you need to, maybe saving up for some new items later in the school year.

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Make a list – and follow it: After rifling through the closets, make a list of the items your kids really need.  Like with food, having a list means you are more likely to actually bring home what you intended to, and that you are better able to spend only what you want to.

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Buy basics like you buy eggs – by the dozen: Socks, underwear, tees, etc.  Stock up on good, old-fashioned – but new, clean, and without holes – clothing that your child can wear all year.  Buying in bulk means you can also save some money.

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Look for BTS sales and compare prices: The 2010 BTS shopping season has not started off as well as retailers had hoped.  Look for bargains from stores hoping to benefit from your shopping budget.

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Check the season-end clearance sales: Sometimes there are great summer deals to be found that can stretch through the fall.  Or,  buy the size your child will need next spring, and you’ll be prepared for warmer weather at a better price.  Use the SizeTracker kids clothing size chart calculator to help you predict the size your child will need.

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Involve your children: BTS shopping is an opportunity for lessons in budgeting, negotiation, and choice.  By involving your children and helping them understand that there are trade-offs between what they want and how much things cost, you’ll not only provide a lesson they can relate to, but make sure that you are buying clothing they are likely to want to wear.

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Be prepared for winter weather: Cold weather will be coming soon.  Make sure your shopping list includes warm items that are appropriate for where you live – whether a sweater and light jacket, or gloves, hat, and parka.

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Look for quality where it’s most needed: You don’t have to spend a mint on everything, but sometimes, buying a higher-quality item, even if it means spending a little more, can actually save you money.  It can be the difference between having to replace clothing because of broken zippers, ripped seams, and worn seat-bottoms  or being able to have an item last all year, hand it down to your next child, or re-sell it at a place like LoobaLee.

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Make sure that things fit properly: The SizeTracker calculator can help you find the best clothing fit for day 1 or later in the school year.  Also, check out this post on how to find a back-to-school backpack that fits properly.

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Find recommended non-clothing needs at Good Housekeeping. They have back to school shopping lists to help you shop for school supplies by grade.

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