Shopping for kids

[Wills Mom]

We are travelling from Ireland and generally always buy some nice clothes and footwear for ourselves in Orlando but on our last trip I hadn't done my homework on where to get nice kids clothes so we didn't get much for our eldest at all. This time I will have a 3.5 yr old and a 1.5 yr old, both boys, and I'd love to get some nice stuff for them. Any recommendations on where to go to shop or stores that stock nice stuff? I'm completely clueless about US stores so any advice/tips are greatly welcomed!

 

[msmama]

Gymboree is pretty nice stuff. If you're going to outlets, personally I tend to like Gymboree outlet better than regular Gymboree. My son also always liked Crazy 8 stuff (the stores are harder to find though) which is a "sister" store to Gymboree.

Most malls also have a Children's Place (they never fit my son well though).

Old Navy has good kids play clothes, as does Target.

If you're looking for higher end stuff, Janie and Jack is cute.

Most department stores (Macy's, Nordstorm, Kohl's) and big box stores (Target, Walmart) have kids clothes.

Stride Rite is a good place for kids shoes.

 

[MandiC]

This is going to depend on who you ask I have always loved Children's Place for my boys (I will say once my girls were out of the toddler section the pants do not fit them well at all but I love the shirts there, because they are inexpensive, cute and great selection...they even do Disney t-shirts sometimes). If you sign up to receive their emails they almost ALWAYS have a coupon available to add to their already reasonable prices. Otherwise I pretty much stick to Kohls for my boys or Once Upon a Child (a consignment store). My girls have a lot more of an opinion and specific tastes now so it just depends for them.
Stride Rite does have good quality shoes for little ones. I mainly go to PayLess for shoes for the kids because a lot of times I have a coupon or they run BOGO 1/2 off. Sometimes they have good deals on shoes at Children's Place as well. Old Navy frequently has Disney clothes as well but I find the quality of their clothes has really gone downhill. Not sure that would matter much if you are just shopping for clothes for the trip and don't mind about their wear after that. Every pair of pants I've ever bought my kids there has ended up with holes in them after a short period of time and I have found I can't machine dry the shirts if I want them to last. '
I have heard Orlando has some good outlets but I have no experience with those so maybe someone who has gone to them can give an opinion on those.

 

[3Gsandme]

What are you looking for? Dress clothes? Play clothes? Unique clothes?

At the ages of your sons, Carter's is still a good bet. I still buy quite a bit of stuff for my 5 year old there. They're trendy without being OTT, the quality is pretty good and they're priced well. They also have a nice mix of play clothes and dress up clothes, but they're not upscale at all and IDK if that's what you're looking for.

Gymboree kind of bridges the gap (no pun intended, but Gap Kids is a great place for basics that are a little above the average Old Navy/Carters stuff). The quality is good, they run true to size and they're moderate as far as price goes.

A lot of my friends swear by H&M. We don't have a local store yet, so I can't really attest to their quality.

 

[Wills Mom]

Gymboree is pretty nice stuff. If you're going to outlets, personally I tend to like Gymboree outlet better than regular Gymboree. My son also always liked Crazy 8 stuff (the stores are harder to find though) which is a "sister" store to Gymboree.

Most malls also have a Children's Place (they never fit my son well though).

Old Navy has good kids play clothes, as does Target.

If you're looking for higher end stuff, Janie and Jack is cute.

Most department stores (Macy's, Nordstorm, Kohl's) and big box stores (Target, Walmart) have kids clothes.

Stride Rite is a good place for kids shoes.

Thank you, thats a great list of places!! I've seen a small amount of Gymboree stuff here and definitely liked what I saw (although it was all girls stuff but the quality seemed good)

This is going to depend on who you ask I have always loved Children's Place for my boys (I will say once my girls were out of the toddler section the pants do not fit them well at all but I love the shirts there, because they are inexpensive, cute and great selection...they even do Disney t-shirts sometimes). If you sign up to receive their emails they almost ALWAYS have a coupon available to add to their already reasonable prices. Otherwise I pretty much stick to Kohls for my boys or Once Upon a Child (a consignment store). My girls have a lot more of an opinion and specific tastes now so it just depends for them.
Stride Rite does have good quality shoes for little ones. I mainly go to PayLess for shoes for the kids because a lot of times I have a coupon or they run BOGO 1/2 off. Sometimes they have good deals on shoes at Children's Place as well. Old Navy frequently has Disney clothes as well but I find the quality of their clothes has really gone downhill. Not sure that would matter much if you are just shopping for clothes for the trip and don't mind about their wear after that. Every pair of pants I've ever bought my kids there has ended up with holes in them after a short period of time and I have found I can't machine dry the shirts if I want them to last. '
I have heard Orlando has some good outlets but I have no experience with those so maybe someone who has gone to them can give an opinion on those.

Thanks for that, especially the coupon tips! Money off is always a winner!!

What are you looking for? Dress clothes? Play clothes? Unique clothes?

At the ages of your sons, Carter's is still a good bet. I still buy quite a bit of stuff for my 5 year old there. They're trendy without being OTT, the quality is pretty good and they're priced well. They also have a nice mix of play clothes and dress up clothes, but they're not upscale at all and IDK if that's what you're looking for.

Gymboree kind of bridges the gap (no pun intended, but Gap Kids is a great place for basics that are a little above the average Old Navy/Carters stuff). The quality is good, they run true to size and they're moderate as far as price goes.

A lot of my friends swear by H&M. We don't have a local store yet, so I can't really attest to their quality.

I suppose I'd like a little of everything but mainly more unique clothes than you can get here. Play clothes for sure and just a couple of dress items. I just want to be prepared this time as when we went last time my eldest was just 14 months and I came across very few stores that sold his size other than Walmart. Which is fine but a bit of a selection would be really appreciated hence my giant notepad here on the table which now has the brands you lovely Disers have listed here

 

[Pesky]

I've always had good luck with Gymboree, Children's Place, Kohl's, and JC Penney. Some stuff at Gap Kids but hit or miss there for us. For the age of your young ones, look at Carter as well. I have found their stuff holds up well. FYI, I've also found Children's Place to run a tad small so keep that in mind. Their polar fleece PJs are great! I love Hanna Andersson but none there -- womp womp. Janie and Jack is adorable but often out of my price range. And there is a place there called Hartstrings which looks cute.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Here is the links to the 2 outlet malls we like going to while in Orlando and both have Disney outlet stores if you are looking for Disney specific clothing:

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=96
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

 

[MandiC]

Oh yes, I loved Carters clothes for my babies!