Yang always cringes whenever he happens to see me ordering items on the Internet. I should add that I spend mostly on our girl :)
I usually don’t order directly from overseas online stores. I prefer to join spree organisers on Singapore Motherhood forum to get children apparel and shoes. It is cheaper when the loot is shipped in bulk (erm, I think so).
For Hannah’s clothes, there are a few brands which have gotten my support. Old Navy beats others hands down in terms of affordability and quality. Its items are often on discounts and I love most of its designs (thoughtful, creative and cute) and workmanship. It is possible to get cheap clothing from local stores such as Kiddy Palace but the cotton is not as comfortable. Besides hitting the heartland Kiddy Palace, my next best alternative (in terms of convenience) would be Fox’s Kids and Babies. They have good quality cotton wear but good bargains only happen during certain periods of the year.
Back to Old Navy. Their best steals would have to be pajamas (USD 10; they have short-sleeved, long-sleeved and onesies), shorts (as low as USD 4 and of good terry material), capris (~USD 5-6), swim-wear (USD 10; they carry designs with better coverage), slippers (USD 2.50; cute and long-lasting) and pretty dresses (as low as USD 8) amongst other items.
Other online stores that also get my business include Marks & Spencer and Carter’s. Marks & Spencer have beautiful and quality things to be sure but the exchange rate (pounds to SGD) is often an ouchie. Carter’s have bright and cute kiddy clothes – just that it is not as cheap as Old Navy. BTW, I love Carter’s rompers. They are not like those from Mothercare where the cut at the neckline is often too wide. Theirs hold up well and stretches as the baby grows. Hannah wore her six-month-old rompers until she was 2 years old before I retire them.
Next, SHOES! My PASSION. :D For Hannah, it has been mostly See Kai Run. Then there are a few pairs of Crocs and the occasional Pediped. They have been all good, very good indeed. All shoes from the three brands cost a small fortune if you buy them in Singapore. If you shop online, you could get it at half or less than half the retail price here.
Of course, shopping online has its risks. You might end up getting the wrong colour, size or design. The spree organiser might turn out to be unreliable. So far, both scenarios happened only once to me. *heart attack* But thank God.
Hi Ling
I seldom shop for baby clothes online, but since you mentioned it, it’s worth a try :)
In SG, I like going to Cotton On Kids. They also carry affordable pieces in cute designs.
Hi Ling, thanks for sharing. I do like carter’s clothes and she can still wear the rompers for 9 months old (she’s 16 months now!). I normally buy carter’s clothes from the online sellers at FB and occasionally from Singapore Motherhood Portal or other online shop. I’ve not tried bulk purchase before. I used to buy those carter’s rompers with buttons in front – easy for wearing.
For shoes, I like pediped as well. For see kai run, I managed to buy a pair from the recent babyfair at Expo – for about 50% discount – if you don’t mind previous batches of design. Never try Old Navy before.. will look out for this brand.
Is it possible to share with us some of the online shops you visit? I can share with you mind if you don’t mind. :)
Oh yes, Hannah can still wear the mothercare’s rompers for 6 months old. My gal is swimming in the 12 months version – as what you mentioned, the neckline is too wide! :)
Hi Trophee,
Now you mentioned it, I like Cotton On Kids too. I got to know the brand when Hannah’s grandma bought her 2 sets of PJ from Australia while she was there for a vacation. I heard that they just set up 1 or 2 branches here not too long ago. But alas, the locations of the local stores are inconvenient for us to go to.
Hi Theresa,
I have heard about overseas sprees done via FB too. I join the ‘Sprees (for overseas sites)’ on Singapore Motherhood forum section to get clothes and shoes for Hannah. I wasn’t referring to their bulk purchase section. But I did get other things such as baby carrier and play yard through the bulk purchase section. :)
I’ve mentioned most of the online stores I visited on this blog post. Of course, I do browse at other sites such as The Children’s Place http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home_10001_10001_-1 , Pumpkin Patch http://www.pumpkinpatch.co.uk/ and Endless http://www.endless.com/ to see if I could find any good bargain. :) I got to know most of these online stores via the spree organisers on Singapore Motherhood forum site.
Hey, we’re like-minded about Carter’s rompers! Whenever I know of friends or relatives who are going to have a baby, I’d order rompers from Carter’s as a gift. And it feels good when mothers come telling me that those rompers were thoughtful and useful gifts :D Hee hee.
Hi Ling
Guess what? After reading your posting, I’ve decided to try the Carter Spree in SMH just this morning by “monkie”. I didn’t join the spree previously as I wasn’t sure of the reliability of the organiser. Well, I hope everything goes well – just bought a few items! Haha… I’ve tried the bulk purchase like playyard and other items as well (but that comes with paying profits!). Looks like I got terms for spree and bulk purchase mixed up!
For me, I like to visit:
http://www.awesomekids.com.sg/
http://www.littlegemsinc.com/
And occasional some blog shops in FB. Yeah, I think my girl got more clothes than her mummy! LOL
Hi Theresa,
Oops, I’m a bad influence! :P
Monkie sounds familiar…i might have bought stuff through her before. There’s this other spree organiser who seems to be rather unreliable as there were a few mothers who complained at her threads. Her exchange rate is very attractive in comparison to other spree organisers but judging from the frustrations I hear from her spreeists, the money saved is not worth the lack of accountability. BTW, she is running many sprees. Just be careful.