You can’t step into a shop or flip through a flyer without seeing the change. Gone (or at least moved to clearance) are the shorts and tees. Jeans, long pants and hoodies have taken their place.
For parents, this season means more than buying pencils and notebooks — it’s also time to refresh kids’ wardrobes and get them set for the upcoming school year.
7 Smart Ways to Save on Back-to-School Clothes
Just as there are tactics to cut costs on school supplies, there are plenty of strategies to spend less on their school clothes.
As a parent of two middle-schoolers (eek!), here are seven methods I use to trim costs while outfitting them for the new school year.
1. Do a Thorough Inventory
Before you step into any store, go through your children’s closets and drawers to see what still fits and remains in good shape.
My kids wear uniforms, so this is a pretty straightforward task for me. I inspect their khaki pants and shorts along with their polo shirts.
Of course, I also check their off-school clothes — the comfy items they throw on the minute they get home and wear on weekends (basically sweatpants, shorts and tees).
Once you’ve inventoried everything, decide what they actually need. Do they have enough pairs of pants to last between laundry days? If not, how many extras are required? You may be surprised at how much is still usable.
2. Set a Budget
Figure out how much you can allocate to back-to-school clothing. Some families already include clothes in their monthly spending plan, which is a good starting point.
Whatever you do, have a number in mind before you begin shopping. That helps you avoid sticker shock — or credit card remorse — down the road.
3. Be Patient
It’s tempting to buy new fall items as soon as they appear, but does your child need a closet full of jeans and sweatshirts right away?
Consider the climate where you live — they might manage most of September in shorts. The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll snag bigger discounts as retailers mark items down to clear stock.
4. Shop Consignment Stores
Depending on your kids’ ages and tastes, they might not care much about brand-new clothes or where garments come from. (If you have a trendy teen, you might not be so fortunate.)
Take advantage of that indifference and browse neighborhood consignment and thrift shops to see what’s available. These places can be hit-or-miss, but it’s worth a look and can yield big savings.
Don’t overlook the shoes — you may find a bargain for sneakers that stay at school for PE. When my children were younger, I often uncovered brand-name sweatshirts that looked nearly new for under $10.
5. Check Online Rummage Sales
I treat these sites like virtual consignment stores — except you do it from home.
For instance, on my local VarageSale group, I can easily search for the sizes I need.
As with brick-and-mortar consignment options, online listings can vary, but they’re worth scanning. And if you have outgrown items, post them to try to make a few dollars. It’s worth a shot!
6. Shop Sales Strategically
We all want to be savvy shoppers, but are we? Before you go out, gather any store coupons and check your favorite in-store app, such as Target’s, so you don’t miss extra discounts.
Prefer shopping online like I do? Always start at Rakuten (formerly Ebates) or another cash-back service to earn money back on purchases.
When shopping online, plug in as many promo codes as possible. For example, Kohl’s often runs multiple deals and codes simultaneously, so stack them to see how much you can shave off your total. Use online discounts as well as mailed coupons.
I know it seems tedious at first, but once you see the savings, you’ll stay motivated. Or, to simplify things, install a browser extension that finds the best price, applies coupon codes and helps you earn cash back.
Also keep in mind that some retailers usually offer deeper discounts than others. In one comparison of five popular stores, for instance, Walmart delivered 43% more savings than its competitors.
7. Ask Around
If friends or relatives have older kids, don’t hesitate to ask what they do with outgrown clothes. You might get lucky — they may be happy to hand items off for free.
I’ve been given countless bags of hand-me-downs from parents with older children — and I’ve also passed on my kids’ castoffs. Sure, there may be a few duds, but there are often gems, too.
I always tell people that what I can’t use will go to a local charity. Everyone benefits — your friend clears space, you score free clothes and a nearby charity receives a donation.
If a friend plans to sell items online or at a consignment shop, ask for first pick. They’ll often give you a deal since it cuts down on their effort.
Outfitting your kids for the return to school doesn’t have to drain your wallet. With planning and a willingness to look beyond the usual big-box stores, you can stick to your budget.
