While total back to school spending is expected to drop slightly this year since there are fewer school age children, there will be a small increase in the amount consumers spend on apparel, according to data from the National Retail Federation.
You can keep your expenses under control while still making sure your children are prepared for the school year by shopping for basics. “One of the smartest ways to shop for back-to-school is to stock up on your favorite basics that can be mixed and matched throughout the entire school year,” says Sofia Wacksman, Vice President of Trend for Kohl’s Department Stores. “Your looks stay fresh all year long when you layer and mix in your own way. An easy printed tee and skinny jeans can look totally different with a slouchy cardi and statement necklace versus a chic moto jacket or vest.”
Of course, kids want the latest trends and you can get them for less by using accessories. “Accessorize with bright colored bracelets, layer silly socks that don’t quite match, sport a quirky printed backpack, add some patches — all are an easy and affordable way to update your look without breaking the bank,” adds Wacksman.
Ready to shop? Here are some other tips for saving on back to school clothing:
Go for mix and match brands. As Wacksman notes, mixing and matching basics can make a few wardrobe items go a long way. Some brands specifically offer this type of dressing ease for children. Kohl's has Jumping Beans. Land's End offers Knit Kit. There is J Khaki Mix & Match at Belk. LOGO Littles on QVC. Old Navy, Gymboree and other specialty stores also offer versions of mix and match clothing. Limit your purchase to just a few pieces that can get through the week. Most kids (and adults) wear the same outfits over and over anyway. Don't overestimate how much clothing your child needs.
Always look for discounts. If you are shopping in-store or online, at specialty stores or department stores, always look for a promo code or coupon discount to help you save a bit extra. During Georgia's Tax Free Holiday on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, you can avoid paying tax on any clothing priced $100 or less per item.
Wait it out. In Georgia, the weather is still mild when kids return to school. Many summer items can transition into fall. Think of things you can layer such as long sleeve tees under short sleeves, leggings and a jacket worn under summer dresses. If you can stretch summer items until October/November, you can get fall and winter clothing at clearance prices.
Shop consignment sales. For six years, Jamie Travis, a mom of two, has served as a volunteer for the All 4 Kids consignment sale. In addition to purchasing most back-to-school clothing for her kids at the sale, she manages to sell enough of their previously worn items to break even. Consignment sales are a great resource for clothing as well as shoes, sports equipment and toys, she says, with prices about one-third to one-fourth of the retail price. All items are screened for quality, so you won't see any stained or threadbare clothing. Here are Travis' tips for consignment shopping success:
- Travis advises volunteering to work a sale so you can get early entry to shop. General shoppers should bring a laundry basket with a rope or belt tied to it so you can drag it behind you since you won't be able to carry everything.
- Before you hit the sale, go through your kids' closets and make a list of what you need. While you're at it, decide if you have any items you may want to sell. All 4 Kids requires at least 30 items in order to become a seller. (Sellers also get early entry).
- If you want to avoid the crowds, hit the sales in the afternoon or evening.
- Shop for your older kids first since there are fewer clothes for older children. And if you have an older boy, hit the boys section first. "I always do shoes first, then clothing, then the toys and books area," Travis says.
You can also shop consignment sales online. ThredUp.com (or its competitor, Kidizen, an app enabling parents to buy and sell directly from other parents) makes the process easy. You can shop mainstream brands at prices up to 90 percent off. If you have items to sell, ThreadUp lets you ship them for free and earn cash or shopping credit for any items sold.
Keep it uniform. So many students across the country attend private or charter schools that require uniform dressing. That demand is reflected in the fact that almost every major retailer – Target, Wal-Mart, Belk, Kohl's, etc. – sells uniforms. Here are some tips for saving on uniforms:
- Shop specialty stores. In addition to big-box and department stores, check out specialty stores and off-price retailers. Old Navy, for example, is having a big uniform sale beginning July 24 with polos priced at $5 and select bottoms for $10. Off-price retailer, Burlington Coat Factory also has a good supply of affordably priced uniform pieces starting as low as $4.99.
- Shop or swap early. Some schools may have a uniform sale at the end of the school year when parents can sell their old uniforms to parents of younger (or smaller) students. If your school doesn't organize this type of event, you can get together with parents and create your own uniform swap or sale.
- Know what you need. Employ the same rules with uniforms that you would with regular clothing. What can your child still wear? What needs to be replaced? Decide exactly how many of each type of item you need to get through the year and make a list.
- Shop off the beaten path. While everyone else is hitting the major retailers, look for undiscovered gems like the new store, Kid's World, in Greenbriar Mall which sells the popular French Toast brand of uniforms for $5.99-$7.99. Also check consignment sales and consignment stores for uniform pieces.
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