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With the cost of goods and services skyrocketing, it's critical that parents discover alternative ways to provide durable, reasonably priced dress (and play) clothes for their children.

Below are some ideas for locating inexpensive, quality clothes in your area.

1. Consignment stores The notion that used and/or consignment store clothing is torn and tattered is long gone. Often you can locate items that still have the tags on, but were donated or put on consignment because the previous owner no longer had a use for them. Toward the end of a season, these shops have clearance sales to clean out their current seasonal merchandise and make room for new items. I've found locally that in our coupon circulars, some stores send discount coupons or have "stuff-a-bag" sales (stuff as much in a paper bag as you can and pay only $10, for example). If the retailer sends a newsletter via e-mail, provide your e-mail address and get in on "exclusive" sales. Before you visit your local store, call and get the guidelines for putting your child's clothes on consignment. I take in items regularly and many times I can walk out of the store with $20 worth of clothing, and they take the money out of the balance I've earned for selling items. FREE is great!

2. Garage sales It's that time of year! Check your local neighborhood garage sales for great deals on previously worn clothing.

3. Clothing swap If you know other parents that have children a year younger or older than yours, try a clothing swap. I exchange girl's items with a friend whose oldest daughter wears a size larger than my girl. Once my daughter has outgrown the item, I give it back to my friend, just in time for her youngest daughter to use it.

4. Auction sites What a treasure trove! People sell beautiful clothing items (including handmade) that I never knew existed. This is a "buyer beware" scenario though the pictures may look great, the description of the item quality is subjective. The seller may think the item is in "like new" condition, yet when you receive it, it's "o.k.". To date, I've not been disappointed with items I've received via online auction sites, but wanted to put that caveat in anyway.

5. Off-season clearance sales Stock up on clothes for the next year at the end of the current season. Some of the major department stores in my area take an additional percentage of their clearance items several times a year. I can buy school clothes for the upcoming year in February or March and save hundreds of dollars.

6. Make your own My teenager (like so many) has her own style. Since paying designer prices is out of the question, we hit the fabric stores, look for similar patterns and colors, and buy enough fabric to make an item, plus a little extra for practicing. In addition to buying the fabric, it's also fun to find unique buttons, lace, sequins, ribbon, and other customizations so the item produced will be one of a kind. Though the item wasn't "dressy", after creating a wild tie-dye pair of lounge pants, she had requests from two friends to make some for them! Not only will your kids' have "custom" clothing, if they're enterprising, they could earn a few bucks designing for their friends, too!

Learn more about this author, Julie Sewell-Schmidt.
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