We’ve all been there. Giving away clothes that hardly look worn. Sometimes it seems they outgrow them before you get them through the wash! Then, there are those items that seem just so out of proportion for the child. Well, here are some ideas for getting more life out your child’s wardrobe. While not everything can have 9 lives, it never hurts to save where you can or get another season out of your favorites.

They’re constantly growing, but not always in all directions at the same time. This and varying cuts used by clothing manufacturers can leave you with pants that are too short, but still fit or are even too big in the waist. Don’t throw them away! Use those long, thin phases to your advantage! Let’s not forget about potty training either. Sure it has the obvious advantages that you’ve been waiting for, but here’s another one. Those diapers take up lots of extra room that you can use!

This summer, check out all those pants that they wore over diapers last year. You’ll be surprised at what fits again. Revive those pants into summer capris or boy’s ¾ length pants. Leggings and other stretchy pants are great candidates since they tend to fit comfortably around the middle long after they are too short in the legs. Elastic waist jeans tend to be generously cut for little ones, but again, they get short in the legs first. Roll ‘em up and give her pedal pushers or him long shorts like the big boys that aren’t overly baggy. Even I was surprised this spring when we pulled out the kids’ summer clothes. I grabbed a pair of capris that my daughter has had for years and found that they still fit! She is now a tall, thin 7 year old and the pants are a pair of terry capris in a size 4T! Believe it or not, they are now an excellent pair of long and very comfy shorts for her, falling to just above her knees.

Perhaps the most forgiving garments of all are dresses. How many have you sadly pushed to the back of the closet because they are just too short? If not for the length, they could get a couple more years out of them based on the chest and waist measurements. Well, remember those stretchy leggings you just revived above? Pair them with one of those dresses and off she goes! She’ll be thrilled to have an old favorite back and that’s one less new outfit you have to buy. We have some dresses that are now worn as tunic tops by my littlest one. She’s very tiny in the waist, but that just means that we have more revival opportunities.

Reviving dresses can work in all seasons too. Capris can do double duty in spring, summer and fall while long leggings are great for cooler weather. Shorts are great for the warmer weather and there are lots of different lengths of shorts available. For an extra sweet look, try diaper covers and bloomers. We have several styles available for babies and toddlers including both short bloomers and long bloomers.

So, before you go shopping, drag out those boxes and see what you can revive. Think creatively and you’ll be surprised at what new looks you can create!