Spring is slowly showing it’s sunshine-y face around here, which means I’m getting VERY excited to shed off the old winter hoodies and coats, and slip into some pretty spring fashions. I showed you a few of my favorite Spring Looks for Busy Moms a couple of weeks ago, and now I’ll share some fun ideas to brighten up your toddler’s wardrobe too.

“A girl should be two things, Classy and Fabulous.” – Coco Chanel

Great quality heirloom fashion is not just for adults – Kids deserve great style too. But it can get expensive trying to keep a full closet for a fast-growing toddler. I’ve learned a few ways to save when buying kids clothes – but we do spend enough to invest in some great traditional pieces that she’ll get a ton of use from. And my favorite site to find serious quality at affordable prices is Hartstrings.com.

“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” – Robert Harling

I mean – How cute is this stuff? These are some of my very favorite pieces from the site, and are just so perfectly fun for spring. Hartstrings.com has a really extensive selection, and their site is organized really well – You can shop by collection, to find coordinating pieces. You can shop by size, to narrow it down quickly. You can also shop by clothing style, or price. All of the options make it so easy to quickly find what you need – or find great pieces to match if you’re just browsing around.

“Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life.” – Anon

Abby’s current favorite thing in the world is shoes. {Just like her momma….} She finds any pair of shoes in the house, and figures out a way to get them onto her feet. I’ve seen her get all the way through the house in a pair of daddy’s giant work boots! And, she gets incredibly excited when I bring home a new pair that’s just for her. So of course, on my most recent shopping trip with Hartstrings I picked her up a pair of new spring sandals, and they are so sturdy and well made – they are going to take her all the way through the end of summer!

“Then close your eyes and tap your heels together three times. And think to yourself, “There’s no place like home.” – The Wizard of Oz

Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, in real life – shoes really do make the outfit! You’ll notice that they’re a little bit big for Abby still – which works fine, since there’s still another month or so until she’ll be wearing them regularly. They’ll also match perfectly with the very pretty Easter dress I just ordered for her too. One of the things that I like most about the collections at Hartstrings is that they are all the type of thing that your kids can get a ton of use from – they make traditional, heirloom type pieces, so that they will mix and match with everything in your kiddo’s wardrobe. When you buy a jacket that can be worn several times a week for 6 months, versus buying a cheap-o jacket that falls apart in the wash by week 2 – well, let’s just say you get what you pay for, right? And with Hartstrings, you’re getting quality.

“The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.” – Paris Hilton
While I love picking up great pieces at shops like Hartstrings, I do have a pretty strict household budget. Here are my tips for getting the best bang for your buck when shopping for kids clothes:

1. Buy high-quality pieces for your basics. You know the pieces I’m talking about – a few good pairs of shoes, jackets, a dress or two for a little girl, sweaters, and nice shirts. They’ll be worn so often that they’ll be worth it.
2. Watch clearance sales. You can get some amazing deals when shopping clearance – which I’m sure you already know. Whether you watch the sales at shops like Hartstrings, or check out the racks at mass retailers like Walmart and Target – check them regularly. If you find something great, but it’s for last season – buy it in a bigger size and save it for next year!
3. Sign up for email updates. Most stores save some of their best discounts and coupons exclusively for their email subscribers. {Heartstrings will send you a 10% off code just for signing up!} You’ll also get early notice when they have new clearance, so you can get the best picks.
4. Sell your outgrown pieces. The higher-quality the item, the better condition it will be when you’re little one outgrows it. You can then sell those great pieces on a site like eBay, Craigslist, or my new favorite – Loobalee.

Most of these tips apply to shopping for grown-up fashions too. Invest in the best for your basics and most-worn items, add in a few cheaper pieces to fill in the holes without putting a hole in your budget – and watch for those deals and coupon codes!

What do you think?

Love the great spring collections from Hartstrings? Which pieces are YOUR favorite? You can check out more fun kids fashion too, on my Little Fashionistas board on Pinterest. And – Make sure to check out Hartstrings on Facebook, and Twitter too, to get the newest updates.

{Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias. All photos, opinions, and tips are 100% my own!}