It isn’t always possible to buy our kids the latest trends as money can be tight with a little one to look after. Here are some fabulous frugal fashion tips for parents on a budget.

1) Mix and match what they have – we do it for ourselves,…mixing up outfits can give them a great new lease of life. You could try little leggings under a dress, a white long sleeved body could under a t-shirt on a cooler day, a shirt could be worn open over a vest top….endless possibilities!

2) Adapt what you have: jeans could be cut to make shorts, an old dress could become a little tunic top when it gets too small new buttons may revive a cardi or a stained t-shirt could even be tie dyed or have an a felt slower sewn on it.

3) Buy for longevity – I bought a gorgeous hot pink cashmere Monsoon poncho for £1.50 off eBay. It has lasted from age 3 months to 2 ½ years and  is still going strong. Pinafores with large arm holes can become minis later, elastic waist skirts can last an age. Think long life and then you can afford to buy a few quality key pieces.

4) Hand me downs – what a life saver, I would recommend you always say YES to any offer and give the giver a big old hug. Even if you think these may not be to your taste you are sure to find a few things in a hand me down bag. Even if you just find a few play clothes (or as I call them ‘going to grandmas to get dirty and eat ice cream clothes) these are a brilliant additions to your child’s wardrobe and saves you wrecking the good stuff.

5) Sell to buy – by selling what you are done with you can free up cash for you next clothes shop. eBay, NCT sales, netmums or even a local second hand kids clothes shop are all options for selling. I use eBay and sometimes sell bundles. I wouldn’t recommend you horde for a next baby as clothes never look the same next time round and seasons, gender, sizes and weather never are never all exactly the same.

6) Check out eBay by searching for exactly what you want. Nct sales are also a top place to buy lovely v cheap seconds check out www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/nearly-new-sales. Car boots can also be great, often its just a family like you trying to make money for the next load of baby stuff. For a car boot near you check out www.carbootjunction.com.

7) Accessorise – a little hair clip or waistcoat can transform an outfit for a party, a bit of shoe polish and some frilly socks can work wonders too. You don’t have to buy a brand new outfit just add some interesting detail.

Check out charity shops` in posh areas…it makes sense they will always have more expensive and probably better quality seconds.

9)For babies a big waterproof bib that they are happy to wear is worth its weight in gold and I would recommend if they are eating spaghetti strip them down to their nappy. It’s a good idea to protect what you have!

10) A little one probably doesn’t care what they look like so try and not care overly much either. Life is for eating, playing and dribbling when you are little without being too concerned.

I was once told that a smile is the prettiest outfit ever and so a relaxed mum and dad tend to make the prettiest and very best dressed of children.

Writing about budgeting with 0-5’s in aspects of their life and upbringing is what I do. How to Afford time off with your baby – 101 ways to ease the financial strain by Becky Goddard-Hill (Vermilion, 2009) is my latest book, packed with baby budgeting tips and available now from Amazon. I also blog about  baby budgeting at www.babybudgeting.co.uk.