Grocery stores, malls, and department stores are crowded with parents hustling to get back-to-school clothes for their children. It can be a daunting task, but with a little planning, it can be easy and affordable.
One of the first decisions to make is what type of clothing your child needs. For elementary school children, many schools have a dress code that must be followed. Check with your child’s school to get an idea of the types of clothes they will need. Shorts, pants, skirts, and dresses are generally acceptable for both boys and girls. However, there may be some restrictions on length and type of fabric.
For older children, the options are endless. Jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers are always popular choices but don’t forget about sweaters, dresses, and blazers for cooler weather. Be sure to check the school’s website or handbook for any specific dress code requirements.
Once you know what type of clothing your child needs, it’s time to start shopping. Department stores are a great place to find affordable clothes, but be sure to compare prices before making a purchase. There are also many online retailers that sell back-to-school clothes at discounted prices.
One of the best ways to save money on back-to-school clothes is to buy used items. Check with your local consignment store or online classifieds for gently used clothing at a fraction of the price.
No matter how you choose to shop, be sure to set a budget and stick to it. Back-to-school clothes don’t have to be expensive.
Here are the most important things to remember:
- Check with your child’s school for dress code requirements
- Shop around for the best prices
- Buy used items when possible
- Stick to your budget!
With a little bit of planning, you can easily get your child ready for back-to-school.
Here is a list of places to shop for back-to-school clothes:
Marshalls
It is a good store for clothes for school. Marshalls is affordable and the clothes are stylish.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Stylish
Cons:
- Clothing can be a bit too trendy for some schools
- Not all stores carry back-to-school clothes
JCPenney
JCPenney is a great place to find affordable clothing for both boys and girls. The clothes are stylish and there is a large selection to choose from.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Many different styles to choose from
- Clothes are stylish and up to date
Cons:
- Can be a bit too trendy for some schools
Walmart
Walmart is a great place to buy school clothes on a budget. There is a large selection of clothes available, and the prices are very affordable.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Large selection of clothes to choose from
Cons:
- Clothes are often too casual for some schools. If you are looking for a clean-cut look for your child, Walmart may not be the best place to shop.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s is another department store that sells affordable clothing in both boys' and girls' sections. The clothes are stylish and the prices are very reasonable. Kohl’s also offers coupons on their website regularly. You can sign up for these coupons in order to get discounts when shopping online or at the store. You can combine this offer with sale items or other available discounts to save even more money
Pros:
- Affordable
- Stylish
- They offer coupons that can be combined with already discounted items for even bigger savings
Cons:
- Certain clothes can be too casual for some schools. You have to really know your child’s school before buying clothes here.
TJ Maxx
Another great place to shop for back-to-school clothing is TJ Maxx. The prices are usually more affordable than department stores, but the selection is often not as wide. If you are looking for a clean-cut look or just something very fashionable this might not be the best place to shop. However, it does have great sales on some of its clothing and can still save you money if you combine those sales with the coupon Kohl’s offers.
Pros:
- More affordable than most department stores
- Good sales
Cons:
- The selection is not as wide as some other places
- May not have the latest fashion trends
- Clothing can be too casual for some schools. You have to really know your child’s school before buying clothes here.
Here are some guidelines to follow while shopping at these stores:
- Do not expect top-quality items at these prices! If you do, you might be disappointed with the product when it arrives in the mail.
- Check items before you buy them. Sometimes there are defects in the clothing.
- When buying clothes, make sure to look at sizes carefully. It would be very frustrating if you purchased a dress that was too small or a sweater that's too big for your child.
These stores can be hit or miss sometimes, but when shopping there it is good to know all the guidelines beforehand so you don't get frustrated with it later on.
Online Retailers
If you are looking to save money, online retailers are often the best place to shop for back-to-school clothes. There are many different retailers to choose from, and they all offer discounted prices on clothing. You can also find coupons and promo codes on their websites which will give you even more savings. The only downside to shopping online is that you can’t try the clothes on before purchasing them and you don’t always get to choose your own brands.
Some popular online retailers are:
- Amazon
- eBay
- Zulily
- Kohl's
These are just a few examples, but there are many online retailers that sell discounted clothing for schools.
Pros:
- You can find coupons and promo codes on most websites offering discounts
- Prices are often more affordable than at department stores or other brick-and-mortar stores. You get a better deal when buying larger quantities (for example, clothing racks of shorts)
- Online retailers usually have a wider selection of styles, brands, and sizes. This is especially helpful if you are looking for specific items such as specific colors of dress shoes or winter coats in a certain size.
Cons:
- You can’t try the clothes on before purchasing them and you don’t always get to choose your own brands
- You may have to wait a few weeks for your order to arrive, especially if you are ordering from a store outside of the United States.
- Shipping costs can quickly add up, especially if you are ordering a lot of clothing.
In the end, there is no one perfect place to buy back-to-school clothes. It really depends on what your child needs and what your budget is. Just be sure to do your research before making any purchases!
Consignment Stores
If you're looking for gently used clothing at a fraction of the price, consignment stores are a great choice. Although these stores can be hit or miss, they are usually worth the effort if you are trying to buy back-to-school clothes on a budget. You can find everything from clothes to shoes to backpacks at consignment stores, and the selection changes frequently so there is always something new to choose from.
Most consignment stores accept donations, so you can often find name-brand clothing at a fraction of the price. Just be sure to inspect the items before you buy them, as there can sometimes be stains or tears.
Pros:
- Gently used clothing for a fraction of the price
- Wide selection that changes frequently
- Can find name-brand clothing at a fraction of the price
Cons:
- Can be hit or miss
- Inspect items before buying them as there can sometimes be stains or tears.
Department Stores
Department stores are a great place to buy back-to-school clothes, but they can be quite expensive. If you're looking to buy clothes that will last throughout the school year, department stores are a good option. You can find all types of clothing at department stores, including both name-brand and generic brands.
The downside to department stores is the price tag. Clothing can be quite expensive, especially if you are looking for items such as skirts or dress pants. However, many department stores offer sales throughout the year, so it is worth checking their websites frequently to see if there are any discounts available.
Pros:
- All types of clothing, including name-brand and generic brands
- Sales throughout the year
Cons:
- Clothing can be expensive, especially if you are looking for items such as skirts or dress pants.
Brick and Mortar Stores vs. Online Retailers
There are pros and cons to both buying back-to-school clothes from brick and mortar stores vs. online retailers.
Brick and Mortar Stores
Brick and mortar stores are a good option if you want to be able to try on the clothes before you buy them. You can also get a feel for the fabric and quality of the clothing before purchasing it. Department stores and other clothing retailers often have sales throughout the year, so it is worth checking their websites frequently to see if there are any discounts available.
The downside to brick-and-mortar stores is the price tag. Clothing can be quite expensive, especially if you are looking for items such as skirts or dress pants. However, many brick-and-mortar stores offer loyalty programs that give you discounts on future purchases.