Where to get the biggest bang for your buck
I am constitutionally incapable of paying retail—where is the challenge in that? Particularly with the rising prices of children’s clothes, toys, and other necessities, it makes sense to find ways to cut costs. Here are smart ways to save—without cutting corners or skimping on quality.
Discount Apparel and Accessories
Where to stock up on staples and spring for fabulous finds.
Costco
1 Industrial Ln, New Rochelle (914) 235-2233
1 Westchester Ave, Port Chester (914) 935-3103
20 Stew Leonard Dr, Yonkers
(914) 595-1003
Hands down, the best prices on baby necessities. For example, a 258-count, size 2 (12 to 18 pounds) Huggies diaper pack is $37.99—less than 15 cents per diaper (vs. $13.79 at CVS for a 48-pack, or almost 29 cents per diaper). A 36-ounce container of Similac Advance powder is $27.69 (77 cents an ounce at Costco) vs. $28.99 for a 25.7 ounce container ($1.12 an ounce at CVS.)
Daffy’s
Westchester Pavilion, 60 S Broadway,
White Plains (914) 761-4477
For kids’ clothes, particularly fancy dresses and great baby clothes, we love Daffy’s. The chain sells Italian labels for the same price as clothes from the Gap. One editor dresses her eight-year-old daughter in Moschino, Gianfranco Ferre, Oilily, and the like, thanks to Daffy’s great selection and prices. Junior fashions are equally fabulous and affordable.
DSW
Port Chester Plz
(at Westchester and
S Main St) (914) 690-2841
13 City Pl, White Plains
(914) 285-1290
2490 Central Ave, Yonkers
(914) 771-8001
www.dswshoes.com
DSW doesn’t carry children’s footwear, but teens can stock up on the latest shoes, boots, sandals, and sneakers. And not last season’s misses, either, but this season’s hits, just for a whole lot less than you’ll find in department stores. Not the highest-end designers, but a good selection of styles—usually 2,000 on display—by Vanelli, Cole Haan, Michael Kors, Max Studio, Nicole Miller, and others. New stock comes in weekly.
Family Discount Center
270 Halstead Ave, Harrison (914) 835-0123
112 S Ridge St, Rye Brook (914) 939-4321
Everything you need for kids, from designer duds for infants to young teens, toys, sundries, and school supplies. It even has ballet attire and bathing caps.
Filene’s Basement
City Center (Mamaroneck Ave and Main St), White Plains (914) 285-1290
There isn’t a children’s department, but teens will love the fashions here—the same items they love at Bloomie’s or Lord and Taylor—just at deep discounts. Like Seven Jeans for $80 rather than $140.
H&M
The Galleria, 100 Main St,
White Plains (914) 422-3777
Jefferson Valley Mall, 650 Lee Blvd
Yorktown Heights
Edgy and very “downtown hip” fashions and accessories for infants, kids, and teens at terrific everyday prices and unbelievable specials: baby fake fur set (hat, mittens, booties), $5.90, guys’ leather jacket, $49.50, girls and teens velour sweats, $7.90 to $14.90.
Kohl’s
Hills (914) 241-3939
3008 E Main St, Cortlandt Manor
(914) 526-2111
431 Boston Post, Rd Port Chester
(914) 690-0107
2350 Central Ave, Yonkers (914) 793-1124
No big designer names here, but good value on kids’ basics, plus great sales. My three daughters can always find irresistible items in the vast juniors department, from the adorable Care Bears or Strawberry Shortcake jammies (Cute Rules!) to trendier jeans, tops, and accessories. The boys department gets high marks as well (Columbia ski jackets at great prices!). Plus fun bedroom accessories like ’60s circa beaded room dividers or a hot-pink poodle-fur body pillow.
Loehmann’s
29 Tarrytown Rd, White Plains
(914) 948-8090
www.Loehmanns.com
You’ll find a few special children’s items, but lots of choices for juniors in this no-frills discount store. The racks are brimming with designer dresses, suits, jeans and tops—sans labels.
Marshalls
West Chester Square Mall
221 N Central Ave, Hartsdale (914) 997-7904
Waterfront at Port Plz, 20 Waterfront Pl,
Port Chester (914) 690-9380
Save 20 to 60 percent off department- store prices on children’s apparel and accessories. New merchandise arrives each week.
Nine West Outlet
527 Boston Post Rd (Kohl’s Shopping Center), Port Chester (914) 937-0603
Buy one pair of shoes (select styles) and get the second pair at half-price; boots at 50 percent off, handbags at 30 percent off. For teens and older.
Target
195A N. Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco
(914) 602-0004
500 E. Sanford Blvd, Mount Vernon
(914) 530-3000
9 City Pl, White Plains (914) 821-0012
2470 Central Ave, Yonkers (914) 779-0013
Who can resist splurging on the latest kiddie fashion craze at Target prices? Stock up on basics like leggings and camisole tops at less than $10 a pop and indulge in all the fun faddy fashions, which tend to sell out fast. When you see something you like—grab it quick. The “dollar aisles” at the front of the store are filled with seasonal selections for party favors, goody bags, and the like.
TJ Maxx
425 Central Ave, Hartsdale (914) 682-5969
750 Central Ave, Yonkers (914) 966-3601
(914) 665-8212
506 Main St, Mount Kisco (914) 241-3292
10 Triangle Shopping Ctr, Yorktown Heights
(914) 245-4745
TJ Maxx isn’t just for moms looking for Prada slacks at a fraction of the cost or discounted Dooney & Bourke handbags (although if you spot one of these treasures, snap it up). TJs has lots of great name brands and other cool clothes (official NFL jerseys for a fraction of what they cost at Modell’s), as well as major-name toys, games, books (like Melissa & Doug wooden toys for the little ones for less than half the price of the same toys at Try & Buy), and even musical instruments at major discounts (last season we spied a full-size acoustic guitar for 40 percent less than the same guitar at Sam Ash).
Consignment Shops
They wear the clothes, play with the toys, use the sports equipment for such a short time, it makes sense to recycle your kids’ things the no-hassle way through consignment shops. Bonus: these stores all will consign your maternity clothes as well!
Affordables
10 Main St, Dobbs Ferry (914) 693-3610
Kids clothes sizes newborn to 14—all in excellent condition, including baby equipment, toys and games, skates, and cleats. Need something specific, like a boy’s sport coat in size 10 husky? Call ahead and the staff will start the hunt. Don’t miss the twice a year dollar sale for all the overstock.
Milk Money
579 Warburton Ave (Movie House Muse), Hastings-on-Hudson (914) 478-4378
www.milkmoneylove.com
Park the kids in the playroom while you check out the clothes, toys, furniture, equipment, and hardcover books. Whatever doesn’t sell goes to charity. Items are sorted by age and gender—and racks are loaded with bargains. Clothes and accessories range from the basics to vintage collectibles to brand-new outfits that still have their original retail tags. Looking for some specific item or some label in particular? Fill out a wish-list form and they’ll call you if and when it enters the store.
The Preppy Turtle (Above)
2 Depot Plz, Bedford Hills (914) 666-8500
Opened about a year ago, this shop carries mostly designer-name clothing for kids, teens, and juniors along with toys, baby equipment, nursery accessories, and baby gift items.
Vintage Kids
2124 Boston Post Rd, Larchmont
(914) 834-0862
Clothes from the Gap, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and others in sizes newborn to boys and girls 14/16, shoes, ice skates, dance wear, toys, baby equipment, room furnishings, and accessories. Don’t miss the dollar table for best bargains; prices range from $1 to $50, with a few items close to $100.
