The idea for this guide is how to distinguish between Gymboree original lines and Gymboree Outlet reproduction lines. Gymboree has a new clothing line that comes out about every three weeks in its stores and on its website. The Gymboree outlet stores continue to grow and have about 80 across the US. 

About September, 2005 Gymboree re-stocked the outlet stores with old lines that were re-issued. What that means is Gymboree looks at previous lines and recreates them just for the outlets. These are brand new items not old merchandise.  Some of the first lines to be re-issued were Sweet Cupcake, Puppy Love and Snow Angels. Some of the pieces were exactly the same; while others were different color schemes. The outlet lines come out once a month. Sometimes there will be two lines with about 1/2 of the original items; sometimes lines will be combined. For example: in the outlets were Tyrolean Lure with a sprinkle of Sugar n' Spice. Some of the Sugar n' Spice colors have been changed to reflect the Tyrolean Lure colors. Both lines originally were mix and matchable; this time it is more pinks, browns & greens.

Another difference between original Gymboree items and outlet items is the tag. Original Gymboree items have a white tag with pink lettering or a newer red tag. Outlet items have a white tag with an orangish-yellow print and dots. The reproduction lines are about 20-30% less at the outlet stores than the originals in the Gymboree stores.

When buying items on eBay, usually the seller will tell you if it is original Gymboree or outlet. Sometimes you can tell by the line. For example: the Puppy Love line originally was in pinks and browns. The outlet reproduction of the line is in blues and browns. If you are not sure, don't be afraid to ask. 

There are a couple of benefits from purchasing outlet reproductions. I buy Gymboree secondhand for my daughter for preschool. A benefit of the outlet stores is that if I want a coordinating piece, sometimes I can find it at the outlet store. Sometimes the outlet stores will have the basic pieces. For example: I had a Romantic Garden shirt and needed a pair of leggings or bottoms to go with it. The outlets had a reproduction of Romantic Garden. The day I went to the outlet, the store didn't have the right size leggings but I could have bought the flower corduroy skirt if I wanted to.

 The selection can be limited sometimes but you can still find some nice items. The outlets don't have Gymbucks or take the Gymboree coupons and don't take returns from regular Gymboree stores.

The return policy at the outlets used to be only 30 days. In November, 2007, Gymboree changed the return policy and is now the same as the regular Gymboree stores.

I have heard people say that the outlet items are not the same Gymboree quality that was in the original stores. This is not true. The outlet items are made in the same warehouse the current Gymboree lines are made and are shipped from the same. Many items have the same decorative detail. I don't have a problem mix and matching items from both the original and outlet lines for my daughter.

The outlet lines continue to improve. Originally, the outlets didn't have all of the accessories the regular stores have. In the last year or so, Gymboree has added pajamas, underwear, girls & boys shoes and sunglasses.

I have heard people comment that Gymboree is a "baby" store. The Gymboree outlets carry sizes from Preemie to size 12. Newborn starts at Preemie (0-7 lbs.) to 18-24M. Baby Girl and Baby Boy start at 3-6M to 5T. Kid Girl starts at size 3 and goes to size 12. Kid Boy starts at size 3 and goes to size 10.

Do you know the difference between 3T - 5T and sizes 3-5? Gymboree stores all carry the T sizes and regular sizes. T sizes are for those children who aren't potty trained yet. There is more room in dresses, overalls, pants and other bottoms to accomodate for diaper. Shirts and other tops are basically the same. The regular sizes are for kids who are potty trained and are a little smaller in the bottoms and dresses. Some parents still shop in both baby and kid because each line may have an item that is exclusive to that line or size.

I hope this guide has helped you out while shopping on eBay. Check out my eBay store The Bunchkin Patch for new and used Gymboree items!