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Newbie’s Guide To Affordable Kids’ Clothing In Singapore

Are you in need of stylish threads on a budget? From adorable dresses to casual boys’ loungewear, I have gotten it all covered for you!

#1: FOR EVERYDAY WEAR: FOX

Due to having a huge family, my childhood was certainly colorful. One of the things that I enjoyed was the Christmas rush. Accompanied by a long list, my mother frequently buys children’s gifts from FOX. This shop houses an extensive range of everyday wear.

For over 14 years in Singapore, FOX has grown tremendously with 17 retail stores islandwide. What I like most about this brand is its ability to offer casual, yet stylish outfits accompanied by accessories. Surely, your little one’s personality will shine!

Website: foxfashion.sg

#2: FOR THE BASICS: UNIQLO

If you believe that shopping for basics is more practical as your children grow rapidly then, you must frequent Uniqlo. This Japanese store tops my list when it comes to basics and loungewear. For instance, “KIDS Packaged Colour Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt” costs S$5.90 only.

You will be able to choose some insanely comfortable shirts and jammies, which are great for the country’s warm weather. Stylish selection does not stop there! You may indulge in the occasional collaborations featuring Disney, Marvel, and other anime characters.

Website: uniqlo.com/sg

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: FOR ALL AGES: COTTON ON KIDS

Australia’s Cotton On is a brand that needs little to no introduction. Thriving on cheap yet trendy clothing, Cotton On has since expanded to include the kids and baby’s section. Said section caters to infants up to their teens. What I admire most about this brand is its dedication to regularly updating the collections to keep up with the latest trends.

What’s more? Cotton On Kids has exclusive online sales. Make it a habit to check the website to get more discounts.

Website: cottonon.com/SG/kids

#4: FOR URBAN CHIC PIECES: NEXT

Looking for funky patterns that will suit a fancy party or a stroll to Orchard Street? Try Next Singapore. It is an online shop that has you covered for every occasion. Personally, I am a fan of its dress collection. The quirky patterns on the “Teal Ditsy Print Dress” (about S$11) are incredibly attractive! The teen’s collection is worth checking out too.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Enjoy free shipping for orders over S$50. Otherwise, you will be charged S$6 per order.

Website: next.sg/en

Sources: 1 & 2

Incredible Ways You Can Save As Parents Of A Newborn Baby

Knowing that pregnancy bills, documents, clothing, accessories, and so much more can cost more than S$10,000 in total, parents in Singapore must find savvy ways to manage their money because a baby will depend on them in everything. Here are some incredible ways to save money along the way:

1. SAY “YES” TO BREASTFEEDING

One of the empowering things that only women can do is to breastfeed their baby. As much as you can, opt for breastfeeding because it will not only be healthy but also be able to save you as low as S$1,500 per year.

To help you draw milk, you may use an electric breast pump but it comes with an expensive price tag of S$90-500. So, it is best to borrow a breast pump from a friend but make sure to change the plastic attachments. You can buy those for far less.

2. SAVE ON CLOTHES

Start saving for baby clothes by asking your friends and family if you can have their child’s outgrown clothes. You will not only help your friends or family members to de-clutter their space but you will also save more. Believe me when I say that babies can have sudden growth spurts so, it is unnecessary to buy loads of baby clothes in advance. It goes the same for shoes, as socks will be sufficient to keep their cute toes warm.

Also, you may invest two big T-shirts rather than bibs. All you have to do is to look for T-shirts that fits a baby (i.e., 1-2 years older than yours) while you are in a flea market. Then, use these big T-shirts while your baby is feeding instead of a bib.

3. SAY “NO” TO FANCY BABY TOYS

Several parents came to the conclusion that babies are not hard to please. In fact, their favorite “toys” such as plastic cups, cardboard boxes, and utensils often come with friendly price tags. They are not even the traditional toys! Buying a toy for less and still make your baby happy is such a win-win situation. You may even try to make your own toys such as a rattle made with a jar and a few coins.

4. SAVE ON FOOD

Preparing homemade baby food is simple, quick, and less costly. Having this power over your child’s food choices, you will be able to know exactly how much nutrition he or she is getting.

Before you begin feeding your baby, make sure that he or she is ready for solid food. It is recommended to wait for at least 6 months to feed solid food while you must wait until 10 months to feed them with gas-inducing foods such as broccoli, wheat, cauliflower, garlic, onions, beans, and dairy products. Be cautious of the common allergens as well.

Nonetheless, here are the recipes you can try for babies aged 6 months and beyond:

a. Carrots Baby Food (Recipe costs as low as S$0.80)

b. Peach Purée Baby Food (Recipe costs as low as S$2)

c. Pea Puree (Recipe costs as low as S$1.80)

Image Credits: Kim Love via Flickr (CC Attribution-ShareAlike)

Sources: 1 ,2 & 3

Save Money On Clothing Alterations By Mastering These Simple Stitches

Tailoring or sewing services in Singapore can range from S$5-40 depending on the type of clothing article. For instance, altering straight-cut jeans range from S$5-12 while altering of jackets can range from S$12-36. Some of the prices are too much if you asked me. You might as well buy a new one.

Aside from the costs, the standard waiting time for its collection can last from 1-14 days. And, if you do not have the time, you might as well buy a new one.

To avoid this dilemma, it is important to master some simple stitches that you can immediately use as the need rises. Do not fret if you have zero knowledge on sewing because mastering the basics can be done at home. All you have to do is to browse through the free tutorial videos available online. Here are the simple stitches you may start with:

1. RUNNING OR STRAIGHT STITCH

The easiest and the simplest of all the stitches in this list is the running stitch, otherwise known as the straight stitch. This stitch involves taking the needle repeatedly under then over. You shall see the thread forming a line throughout the fabric. This is useful for repairing torn out parts of the pockets or sleeves.

2. WHIPSTITCH

Let us “up the ante” a little bit with the diagonal techniques of whipstitch. A whipstitch is typically used to sew to separate pieces of material together. It is perfect for altering or repairing trousers, sleeves, and jackets because it leaves nearly invisible traces of thread. Follow this video to learn about the fascinating whipstitch:

3. SEW A BUTTON

A usual situation that needs immediate repair is clothing that lacks buttons. Learning how to sew a button is quick and uncomplicated. The first thing you must do is to choose a suitable button and a matching thread. You may check if the manufacturer has included an additional button. Then, be guided by this short video:

4. SEW A HEM

From your table cloth to your boxers and gowns, hems are found on most common articles of clothing and fabric. This is why it is important for you to be familiarizing on how to sew a hem in case yours gets loose or in case you want to make your own. You can either use a catch stitch (i.e., exposed) or a slip stitch (i.e., invisible) to sew a hem. Learn how to make these two stitches, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMqK-fNrCrM

Sources: 1 & 2

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