Shopping for School Clothes

Maybe a new shirt or outfit for the first day. New athletic shoes (one for everyday and one for PE). Beyond that, we don't buy for back-to-school. When the seasons change we buy what we need. Usually have enough pants and shirts for about 10 days. It means shopping several times a year, but it also spreads out the expenses. We have spent over $200 on just the supply list, lunch box supplies, and one pair of shoes. If I tried to do all the clothes shopping for the school year I'd be hitting close to $500 or more. Ouch!

Buy just what you need to get through the next couple of months. Watch for sales throughout the year. I know some people will buy sale items 2-3 sizes bigger. I don't do that now that my kids are older. My daughter went from wearing only dresses last summer to wearing dresses only when I force her to. That change happened with a month. My son went from wearing lots of superhero t-shirts to fighting me every time I give him one to wear. That happened almost overnight. If I bought lots of things ahead of time I'd just be wasting money.

I used to stress out about school clothes.

Now I go buy my kid some new shorts and t shirts, a drawstring bag, and his supply list.

I worry about long pants, hoodies & a jacket when it actually starts to gets cool outside.
Think about it--why buy clothes for "later" for a kid that's growing like a weed? Lol

We don't do big back to school shopping trips. We shop thrift stores throughout the year and will pick up cute stuff as we find them. By the time school starts they have more than enough clothes to start. We do let them buy one new outfit or a couple new items, more of a tradition than needing new clothes. Right now I'm debating on if they need new shoes or not, they seem to have enough.

I always buy clothes for my kids at the end of the previous year's season and then put them away. One size up usually fits the bill and I haven't been burned yet. I had my daughter's entire summer wardrobe this year bought at the end of last summer for a fraction of the cost. Shoes are bought as needed- I've not been able to predict that one yet. It amazes me how fast an 8 and 4 year old's foot grows.

I never understand why people go out and buy their kids a whole new wardrobe....why aren't the clothes they wore yesterday good enough for school?

Really? My kids have jeans, they have tee shirts they love, they have shirts, shorts, shoes, underwear, I do NOT understand what's wrong with the clothes they have that are just fine.

There is NOT any reason to do this. People have been brainwashed into believing this is normal and the retail shops pull no stops to make it appealing. They get all new FALL styles and parents think they have to run out and buy all of it.

FALL is months away and it's HOT outside. Why in the world don't parents buy FALL clothes in the fall or winter clothes when winter hits.

It's summer and the schools have air conditioning but it's hot outside at recess and walking from building to building. It's hot in gym, it's hot at lunch.

They need to be wearing shorts and tee shirts with Batman or My Little Kitty on them and then on cooler days start wearing jeans.

I know that my granddaughter is in a 10 right now, she's not going to be able to wear them all year. She'll need size 12 jeans/shorts/skirts/skorts very soon. So if I was shopping, but I AM NOT SHOPPING I'd buy some size 12 jeans that she tried on and they almost fit. I'd hang those in the closet along with the rest of her items.

I would not add a ton of things all at once, that only causes clothes to blend in and get lost.

I have 1 friend that buys her kids school clothes like this and when she goes through the closets and drawers the next summer she yells and screams at the kids for not wearing half of what she bought. There will be a whole black trash bag of clothes and some of them will still have the tags on them because the kids forgot about them. Since they were in with all the other clothes they picked their old favorites and standby's every day and simply skipped over that pair they didn't recognize and "see". They blended in.

So don't, don't go buy anything your child is completely out of. If every pair of the jeans they have don't button or zip or stay together when they put them on then they need a half dozen pair of good sturdy jeans. NOT jeans with holes or slashes or hot messes. They can wear stretch jeans/jeggins/knit pants a lot longer too.

Kids don't need school clothes. They need to wear out what they already have before they go get new stuff.

I don't back to school shop. I buy things when they need them. And usually I am purchasing things at garages sales or thrift stores.
The only thing I am buying this year before they start school is underwear.
L.

I don't really do "school clothes" shopping, as in buying new stuff that isn't needed just because school is starting. I buy clothes on an as-needed basis. If their current clothing fits in the fall, that is what they wear to school.

I do need to get them new athletic shoes, and they will probably need new pants as both have grown quite a bit in the legs over the summer. They have plenty of shirts at this time.

I buy clothing a full year ahead at the end of season sales.

My son needs a complete new fall wardrobe because he has absolutely nothing that still fits from last year - he is 8-1/2. He has plenty for this fall (purchased in Jan/Feb last year)- might still need a few pairs of jeans. Shoes - I used to buy ahead (still do if I get a great price on a good brand I can sell on Ebay if they turn out to be the wrong size) but now mostly when I see a nice pair on sale.

@GammaG - people buy fall clothing in the summer because that is when stores carry it. Also back to school sales are generally the best sales until you get to winter and most kids need cold weather clothing before then. The clothes my son is wearing now will NOT work for school (beyond the first few weeks) because it will be fall and it will soon be inappropriate for him to wear shorts and short sleeve tees.

We buy a couple of new, special shirts every year and a new pair of athletic shoes. Otherwise it's as they need them.

I don't buy "back to school" clothes. I shop for clothes when they need them or as gifts for birthdays and Christmas. I like to go thrift shopping and pick up items here and there throughout the year. If anything I might take them to Old Navy and buy them each one new outfit. Anyway, when my kids go back to school in September they will still be wearing summer clothes until October, then they will be back in jeans and hoodies. That is when I find they have outgrown their jeans!

My method of operation for school clothes :

Go through the existing clothes. Separate 'school' clothes from stained tees/play clothes, etc. Make a pile of 'too smalls' to pass along.

I go for at least three-four pairs of pants, 3-4 shorts, 3-4 long sleeved shirts, 3-4 tees, enough socks/underpants. I would review how often you do laundry to determine how many you will need of each. I'm a SAHM, so laundry can be done every day/every other day.

We always get a good pair of shoes,sometimes resale, sometimes new. Merrell or Geox. I am willing to spend some money on good shoes. Ditto a good fleece jacket.

This year we are unsure of where in the building his class is going to be and I'm waiting on buying a hoodie for him. Two of his grade's classes are not in the main building (which is always very warm) and kids will have to walk to and from for bathrooms/lockers; one is inside. I'll buy a warmer hoodie (fleece lined) if he's out of the building and a lighter one if inside.

We live in Portland, where it rains all the time. Will make sure we have rain boots and a raincoat in good repair. I'll also wait to upgrade his backpack -- only if he has more stuff coming home will I buy a larger one. Otherwise, that can last another year.

I shop sales resale shops, and we have a ton of pass-alongs from family and friends so I don't really have a budget, per se. (We are very fortunate in that way that we can afford what he needs without having to set money aside.) I also hate shopping for clothes and break those trips up into discrete ventures (one day to REI for good shoes, one trip to the outlet store for underpants and a hoodie). I would rather get the one or two items as needed than do a whole trip focused on getting them all at once. To each their own.

I have older girls, so my perspective is a little different, but this topic has been on my mind a lot lately too.

Last year I gave each of my girls a set amount of money, and they decided how to spend at. At 11 and 13, there tastes were becoming expensive, and they had to decide if name brand was the most important thing, that meant they would have to make do with less. And there are limits. Great, stress-free back to school season for me!

This summer, they are 12 and 14, and they have been way lazy about doing their laundry this, and I'm kind of fed up. I think they both have accumulated so much that they already struggle to care for, so I'm simply not bringing more new stuff into the house just because it's "back to school" season.

If the kids clean their room and get their laundry done and organized, they can request we go school shopping. They have to make a list of what to shop for, and if I can clearly see anything is more of a want than a need (like if they write down tank tops and I can see they already have a dozen in the closet), it goes off the list. Lots of discussion around needs and wants. Wants have to paid for with the kids own money, or perhaps can be negotiated if they contribute at least a percentage of their money. I'm willing to buy more of the items I know will get worn. Sometimes they will ask for a number of some item, and I will buy one, and tell them we can buy more IF I see they are wearing it. Lesson learned from having bought things that didn't get used. Shopping lists are agreed upon before we leave the house, and we stick to it. Same process will hold year round.

I'm pretty thrifty when buying our kids' clothes, but have to get new ones every year because our kids grow. Our son and daughter are 1-2 sizes bigger than last fall/winter. I buy now, even though its in the 90s and 100s here, because I've learned the hard way that if you wait until October or November, fall clothes are picked over and you can't find the sizes you need.

I'm not a parent whose child is in a new outfit every day for a month. I see so many kids, especially girls, who have crazy huge wardrobes. Instead, I limit it to around 6-8 pairs of pants and/or leggings (enough to get through a week), around 10 shirts, one or two casual dresses for our daughter (that she usually pairs with the leggings), one pair of athletic shoes for most days at school and our daughter also gets one pair of boots or flats (our son just has the athletic shoes). That's it.

If your kids are miraculously in the same size as last year, then just use those clothes. However, I might pick up a couple pairs of pants and long-sleeved shirts in case they grow in the middle of fall/winter and you can't get their size (esp. if they grow early next year, because stores will start to fill up with spring and summer clothes then).

My daughter starts school this year. We went 'back to school shopping' as part of the excitement of starting school. She got a few new shirts and pants, we were needed anyway. They almost always are needed.

I guess I'm the only one whose child seems to destroy clothing on a daily basis. Holes in the knees of her leggings, huge paint/mud/grass/dye/glitter stains covering her dresses and shirts, lost hair clips, etc. Even her shoes are worn down really quickly, because she seems to favor just one pair at a time.

We get decent quality clothing (Gap, Naartjie, Osh Kosh) so I don't think it's just that the clothing is cheap. She just plays hard.

Last year I hit Kohls (with a coupon) and Sears. I ran through Old Navy, but the selection was nil. I do not use a list or a guide. I buy about 5 outfits per kid. Pants (jeans, leggings etc) and t shirts or long sleeves. One pack of underwear, one pack of socks and gym shoes. And a hoodie. I don't buy their winter coats until oct/nov. (they have plenty of decent short sleeves and shorts/capris they can wear if the weathers warm).
I'm a little surprised by the responses. My kids could go to school without anything new-but that's part of the excitement of going back to school!!!
I have 3 girls and a boy.
My boy is much easier and rarely needs anything supplemented. The girls are particular and very hard on their stuff.
Guess it depends on the individual/family.

Our son went though major growth spurts at 4, 6 and 8 yrs old.
Each of those years he grew 4 inches per year.
When that happened I ended up replacing his whole wardrobe about 4 times per year.
No matter how big I bought the clothes (had him roll up sleeves and pants at first) - they'd be short again on him in almost no time at all.
When clothing is on sale - if you find clothes you like (and fit) then get the same thing 2-3 sizes larger - when the smaller item is out grown you'll have a size that will fit him for awhile longer.
End of season sales are great too -just get clothes that are too big for him right now and they'll fit fine by the time the season rolls around again.
I try to get enough clothes that he can go a week before the laundry needs doing.
So a weeks worth of warm weather clothes and a weeks worth of cold weather clothes is what I aim for.

My plan this year was to buy a bunch of things for each child at the second hand store and then I'll take my daughter out to Justice with a gift card she has and she can buy a special outfit for the first day. I found some amazingly cute things, filled up my shopping cart and got out of there for just over $100 bucks. That will take us through until next year and possibly longer if their summer clothes fit next year. I even found about 4 outfits for special occasions for music recitals and holiday at the second hand store.

I also stock up online when there is a big sale at old navy or children's place. I buy a season's worth of clothes all at the same time for the most part. So, for my 8 year old boy, I make sure he has about 5-7 pairs of pants that fit. At least 7-10 short sleeved and 7-10 long sleeved shirts, several dress up outfits for special occasions, two swimsuits, two hoodies, one raincoat, two warm coats, 2 athletic shoes, one dress pair of shoes, and a bunch of PJ's that fit. I just stock up about twice a year and that gets us through. I hardly ever go to stores to shop, aside from this new experience at the thrift shop. I also have decided I will never buy shoes at the retail store again. I found about 8 pairs of shoes for the family that were hardly worn and they were about $5 each.

We don't shop "back to school" until a few months after school starts because we still have warm weather late into October. Maybe a new pair of shoes and one or two new outfits but that's it.

I don't have school-aged children yet. But I do have to say it makes most sense to buy on a schedule pertaining to the child's growth pattern, not the school year. "School clothes" are just regular clothes unless they are uniforms.

My kids are only 2 and 3, so my advice may be unwarranted. But I currently buy them new wardrobes each season because they outgrow everything so fast.

When they enter school I will buy them clothes for the current season. After that, I will maintain a budget for clothing and will purchase new things once it's time for a new season. If they have outgrown what they currently own, that is.

My kids just dont need clothes right now. My older daughter needs more than my younger as the younger gets stuff handed down but she really doesnt need much. I bought them each 2 new t shirts at target and a pair of colorful denim shorts that match both shirts. Then I went to walmart and got them each another pair of shorts on clearance. I buy here and there when they need something so I refuse to buy a whole new wardrobe when school starts. They will be fine. They arent even really asking for things anyway. My girls are 9 and 6.

M., After determining what they have that still fits, I would round out a wardrobe with at least 4-6 pairs of pants, 10-12 shirts and 2 pairs of shoes. Keep in mind, up in MI, you will need warmer clothing for the winter months as compared to fall/spring, so a few extra long sleeved shirts and sweaters/sweatshirts would be appropriate.

Some of these items it would make sense to buy now, if there are big "back to school" sales going on. Otherwise, consider shopping at a local Goodwill or similar shop throughout the year to "round out" clothes for the seasons, or pick up new sizes.

Another good alternative to expensive clothes @ the mall is to shop @ FleetFarm or Farm & Fleet or Tractor Supply type stores. They tend to carry jeans, sweatshirts & T-shirts for a relatively low price.

Don't forget to save the lightly worn clothes from your older son for your younger one! T. =-)

My youngest son is 19 and just started college. We talked about what he thought he would need. Our shopping list consisted of 5 pair of cargo pants. a few polo's and the biggest "want" he asked for was new balance socks and old fashioned cotton boxer shorts. that was the only 2 specific things he asked for. Now I am taking the grand kids out 1 at a time this weekend. I do not have a lot of money but do try to take them each out for an outfit for school. My in laws used to do it for us and it was such a big help that I try to do it with my grand kids. So a couple years ago the granddaughter (she's almost 12) said grandma do you think we could go to the thrift stores instead and I could spend the same amount of money but get more stuff. So now I tell them we can spend $50 each but it has to go for clothes. and you can pick the store. She always picks the salvation army store and comes home with a cart full. We are going today for this shopping trip as school starts next week for her. The oldest grandson on the other hand is almost 14 and he will choose kohls but will save the coupons that come in the mail and will watch the sales. youngest is 10 and he still likes character stuff so usually off to target or walmart with him.

I would buy a few new items and wear what is good from last year. Near the end of October buy more that way they will not be outgrown. Kids seem to grow again after Christmas. Then supplement as needed. I usually bought a bit bigger for growth and shrinkage.

Always have a budget and stick to it as much as possible.

the other S.

I have three boys. They wear uniforms which are inexpensive and comfortable. They have two pairs of uniform shorts each, two uniform shirts, one jumper, one sports uniform shorts, and one sports uniform shirt. We replace them as they are grown out of, or are too stained or ruined. We only buy when needed rather than at beginning of school.

this was one of the few things we liked about school! so even when we homeschooled we did 'back to school' shopping so they could stock up on pens and fun paper and staplers and some new clothes.
by 9 and 5 i'd give them a dollar amount and let them pick, with some oversight. so they couldn't blow it all on one awesome hoodie, but they'd have freedom to decide how much of it to spend on supplies, and how much on clothes, and we'd go through their wardrobes beforehand and have a discussion about what was most needed.
khairete
S.

We used to spend a ton of money on new clothes for the upcoming fall/winter, but we don't anymore. They get one new outfit and one new pair of shoes.

We did go get them all new pants recently, because they needed them, not because it was coming up on school.

I don't buy up in sizes because I want them to fit now and I'm not sure if they will fit in 6 months.

I never felt that just because it was August I was supposed to buy my kids a whole new wardrobe. I bought my kids new clothes throughout the year, on an as-needed basis.

My fashionable daughter disliked this philosophy, for sure, because she would have been perfectly happy for me to spend hundreds of dollars I didn't have to get her a whole new wardrobe, but it wasn't happening.

Stop frazzling yourself and continue your current practice of getting your kids clothes when they actually NEED them, not when advertisers tell you to.

New school supplies, on the other hand, are necessary and fun to buy, imo.

My 9 year old got new clothes and shoes. He needed new shoes & his shirts all had stains or holes in them. He is really hard on shirts ! He didn't get but a couple of pair of shorts because his were still in decent shape. My 14 year old hasn't told me what he needs or wants. Most of his stuff is in pretty good shape. He may wait until after school starts and get a couple of new things then. His shoes are still in good condition. They both do need underwear and socks so that is getting done this next weekend.