Best for designer clothing
Gabriel’s Closet

Wish you could prescreen preowned clothes for fabric quality? This place does it for you. If there’s even a tiny flaw, it’s noted on the tag (and discounted accordingly). The curation of high-end brands in sizes newborn to 14 is department-store-level chic: Tea Collection, Ralph Lauren, even never-worn Tutu Du Monde hand-beaded dresses go for roughly half the original price. In-the-know move: If you’re hunting for something specific, have the clerk add it to your “Wish List,” and consignors will be notified. 428 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge

Best for bargains
Once Upon a Child

Expect plenty of “This would’ve been $60 new” moments that parents quietly live for. Gently used brand-name clothing (preemie through youth), toys, books, and big-ticket gear — strollers, swings, highchairs — all land at up to 70 percent off retail. Recent highlights: $25 Radio Flyers, $20 Nikes, and a practically new Graco highchair for under $40. In-the-know move: For sizes newborn to 18 months, join the New Baby Club program for discounts and perks (one example: three new bodysuits when you sign up!). 4616 N. Harlem Ave., Harwood Heights

Best for dragging along the tykes
Cloud & Bunny

It feels more like a cozy play space than a chore stop, with a stroller ramp at the door, story time, and an owner who somehow remembers your toddler’s favorite animal. On the racks: a curated mix of name-brand kids’ clothes up to size 16 (think Hanna Andersson, Patagonia, and Janie and Jack), plus shoes, books, puzzles, STEM kits, dolls, and more. In-the-know move: If you’re on the way to a birthday party, have your finds complimentarily gift-wrapped. 1600 W. Montrose Ave., Ravenswood

Photograph: Courtesy of the Second Child

Best for new-arrival hunting
The Second Child

With new pieces hitting the floor daily — sometimes hourly — this nearly 40-year-old staple runs on consistency. The longtime employees (some with as much as 25 years under their belts) focus on seasonal intake to keep the racks current. Fast fashion is politely declined in favor of heirloom brands like Tea Collection, Boden, American Girl, and even Artipoppe, whose baby carriers vanish the same day they arrive. In-the-know move: Check the inventory online in the morning (it updates as items scan in), and pop in mid-afternoon, when freshly processed drop-offs tend to go on the racks. 954 W. Armitage Ave., Lincoln Park