Children's Clothing at Bin Stores: A Parent's Guide
Children's clothing is one of the most practical bin store categories for families. Here's how to shop it effectively and get great value for growing kids.
Why Parents Love Bin Stores for Kids' Clothes
Children grow. Fast. The economic calculus of buying expensive clothing for a child who will outgrow it in three months is painful for most families. Bin stores solve this problem with genuine elegance: quality children's clothing — including brand-name items — at prices low enough that rapid growth becomes a feature rather than a frustration.
A $40 children's jacket at $5 from a bin store is worth buying even if a child wears it for one season. At full retail, that same jacket represents a painful short-lived investment. This logic applies across all children's clothing, and smart parents have embraced bin stores as a core part of their family's clothing strategy.
What Types of Children's Clothing to Expect
Basics and Everyday Wear
The most common category:
T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts (individual and multipacks)
Leggings and casual pants
Hoodies and sweatshirts
Socks and underwear (check for sealed packages)
Pajama sets
Onesies and baby basics
Basics are especially welcome because they're worn constantly and wear out quickly. Replacing basics through bin stores rather than retail saves meaningful money over a year.
Active and Outdoor Wear
Athletic leggings and shorts
Sports jerseys and zip-ups
Rain jackets and waterproof shells
Insulated vests and lightweight jackets
Snow pants and cold-weather gear
Active wear for children at bin stores often comes from returns driven by sizing issues, which means the items are frequently in excellent condition.
Special Occasion Clothing
A wonderful bin store category for parents:
Dress clothing for boys (button-down shirts, khaki pants, blazers)
Dresses and dressy outfits for girls
Holiday-themed clothing
Dance and recital attire
Children wear special occasion clothing rarely. Finding these items at bin stores — often still tagged — means you can outfit kids for events without the guilt of spending $40 on a dress worn once.
School and Uniform Clothing
Polo shirts (common school uniform item)
Navy, khaki, and grey basics
Blazers and dress trousers in school-appropriate styles
Sizing: The Big Challenge and Strategy
Children's clothing sizing is notoriously inconsistent across brands. What works as a 4T from one brand might fit like a 3T from another. This variability is part of why children's clothing has such high return rates online, which is good news for bin store shoppers — the supply is consistent.
Sizing Strategy
Always check the tag: Never assume size based on appearance
Buy a size up: For growing children, a slightly larger size extends wear time
Know your child's measurements: Some parents keep a note with chest, waist, and inseam measurements to verify fit without trying items on
Age-labeling varies: A "4T" from one brand may correspond to "5" from another — the numbers aren't standardized
Babies and Toddlers: Size Changes Fastest
For infants and toddlers, sizing up is almost always the right strategy. Babies grow so rapidly that even current-size items may only be worn for weeks. Buy up — clothes that are slightly too big now will fit soon enough.
Best Children's Clothing Brands at Bin Stores
Premium Finds (high resale value, excellent personal use quality):
Patagonia Kids, North Face Kids
Nike Kids, Adidas Kids
Oshkosh B'gosh, Carter's
Excellent Mid-Tier:
Old Navy (consistent quality, good sizing)
Gap Kids
H&M Kids
Good Value Basics:
Amazon Essentials Kids (consistent sizing, practical basics)
Generic basics for under-layers
Safety Considerations for Children's Clothing
Drawstring Safety
Clothing with drawstrings around the neck is a recognized strangulation hazard for young children. CPSC guidelines recommend avoiding drawstrings on children's clothing for ages 2–12 in the hood/neck area. Check any hooded items carefully.
Flame Resistance
Children's sleepwear (pajamas) in the US must meet specific flammability standards. Check the label for either flame-resistant fabric (indicated on the label) or snug-fitting design (which reduces fire risk by design). Old or foreign-manufactured pajamas may not meet current standards.
No Toxic Prints
For very young children, avoid clothing with flaking or peeling printed designs that could be ingested. Quality children's clothing uses heat-transferred or embroidered decoration.
Reselling Children's Clothing
Children's clothing is a solid resale category on Poshmark and eBay, particularly for:
Premium brand items in excellent condition
Seasonal items (coats, swimwear) sold in advance of the season
Special occasion clothing
Name-brand athletic wear
Clean items thoroughly before photographing. Group into lots (e.g., "3T summer lot, 5 pieces") for easier sell-through.
Building a Children's Clothing System
Families who use bin stores most effectively for children's clothing develop a system:
Visit regularly — inventory rotates and sizes appear randomly
Shop one size ahead — always have some clothing in the next size ready
Keep a "found" box — a storage box for items purchased ahead of time
Track sizes as children grow — update your size targets accordingly
Don't overbuy — children's tastes change; buy practical items you know they'll wear