Designer kids’ clothes are not cheap. And while boutique looks are adorable and all the rage for younger tots, they don’t exactly fit into our budget (or our small, small closets.) To solve both the problems of money and space, consider reversible clothing for your kids.

Based on the simple concept of one wardrobe piece with a different pattern on each side, reversible clothing is functional and very fun. Imagine getting two dresses, pants, jumpers, or dress shirts for the price of one! (This is the only way I could justify spending more than $15 for one piece of new clothing, anyway.) Here are the benefits to doing the reversible thing:

Half the wardrobe, Twice the Space – Do you seriously need that many clothes for your 2-year old? Hanging up just 3 reversible dresses gives little Sally almost a week’s worth of occasions to get dolled up for. When you have a larger family, closet realty is prime, and this is an excellent solution.

Washing, Washing, Washing – With four kids, this is all I do. Keeping up with the laundry is a major chore, and I sometimes wish it was acceptable to have my kids wear the same clothes every other day. Now it can be!

Accidents happen – Did little Billy get a smudge on his dress shirt right before your family pictures? Just turn it inside out for the clean side to show! (Note: Not recommended for really gross spills or messes. You know what I mean.)

A Jumper for all Seasons – Do we seriously need a new wardrobe every 4 months? Why not take advantage of layered, reversible looks by using the same dress, jumper, and vest year-round? Get extra wear by pairing a sleeveless dress over a long-sleeved shirt, skirt, and leggings in chilly weather.

Hand it Down, Brother – Since most kids grow out before they wear out, be sure to pass it on. And since you are paying a premium for the clothes to begin with, you might want to consider selling them on consignment or Ebay when you’re done. Invest the spare change into next year’s reversible wardrobe.

Not sure where to find reversible clothing? A simple Google search for “reversible children’s clothing” will help you find the most popular names. If you happen to know someone handy with the sewing machine, reversible duds can be a breeze to make! For more money-saving tips, check out Carrie Kirby’s article on affordable children’s clothes!