Back-to-school is right around the corner. As students cringe at the thought of the return of stringent bedtimes and homework, parents have to worry about paying for back-to-school supplies. According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school shoppers with K-12 children will spend more on apparel and accessories than on anything else. If you’re among these parents, getting your children’s wardrobe ready for school should be top of your to-do list. The following are some helpful tips that will help you do just that:
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1. Confirm The School’s Dress Code
This is an important step if your child is joining a new school. It would be a costly mistake if you buy certain types of clothes, only to be told that they are unacceptable. Therefore, it’s important to contact the school and ask about the dress code. Getting confirmation beforehand will prevent you from spending on clothes that will violate the school’s dress code and from heading back to the stores.
2. Take Inventory
You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on clothing items when your kids already have usable items at home. Still, you shouldn’t assume that your kids have enough good clothes, only to realize that they don’t have enough when the time comes. So, it’s crucial that you take inventory of the clothes that your kids already have. You should also check for clothes that no longer fit and those that are unfit for school, i.e., those that are torn or with stains.
3. List Down The Clothing Items Your Kids Need
After determining what your kids’ wardrobe has and don’t have, you should go ahead and make a list of all the essentials you need to purchase. Generally, your kids will need a few pairs of jeans, short and long-sleeved tops, hoodies, sweaters, pants and/or skirts/dresses, socks and/or tights/leggings, underwear, and shoes. It will be easier to make a checklist for each of your children to ensure that you won’t forget anything.
4. Make A Reasonable Budget
Before you go shopping for your kids’ back-to-school attire, it is important that you take your time to determine the amount of money you can afford to spend. If you have a limited budget, consider buying a few pairs of the essential clothing items. After all, kids grow pretty fast, so it will be a disappointment if you buy lots of clothes that will no longer fit your kids in a few months. So, stick to what your kids need and only purchase extras if your budget can accommodate them.
5. Ask For Gifts
During kids’ birthdays, it’s common for family members and close friends to buy gifts. Should they ask you what gifts to buy your kids, you can request them to buy back to school clothing items. This will be very helpful in getting your children’s wardrobe ready for the next school year.
6. Find Out Where The Sales Are
It is every shopper’s wish to get lots of things for much less than anticipated. There are various ways of building a wardrobe on a budget. Firstly, check sale ads and see if any of the clothing items on our list are on special offer. Timing your shopping during off-peak times is also guaranteed to save you money. For instance, purchase summer children's clothing in September and purchase winter clothing in April. The majority of stores normally clear out their inventory at discounted prices during these months to make room for the impending season.
7. Shop Used Clothing Stores
You will be surprised at the sheer number of new or gently used items you can find in thrift stores and used children's clothing stores. You can also check out consignment stores and resale stores for used clothes that are almost as good as new. When shopping for used clothes for kids, be sure to examine the clothes for rips, stains and general wear and tear. Buying used clothes will not only save you money, but it will also ensure that your kids will have a variety of outfits to wear throughout the school year.
8. Create A Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is basically an assortment of several essential clothing items that rarely or never go out of fashion. Your kids’ capsule collection can be made up of a combination of clothing items that they already own and prefer to wear, as well as new clothing items that you can shop once in a while.
Getting your children’s wardrobe ready for the school year doesn’t have to be intimidating if you know what to do. While at it, it’s important that you involve your kids in the shopping process, especially if they are teens. This is because teenagers receive a lot of pressure from their peers regarding the attire they wear. Besides involving your kids in the shopping process, you should also involve them in taking good care of their clothing. This will ensure that you won’t have to constantly replace lost or damaged items every time they are getting ready for school.
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