This is my daughter's second year of school. She will be in the first grade. Is it less expensive to buy her clothes now or after school starts? She already has one new outfit to wear for the first day.
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Hi Jennifer,
I use to work for JCPenney's and can help a little with this question. The best sales for back-to-school clothes do occur prior to school starting, August. You can however get the clothing cheaper by waiting until the middle of September to purchase fall clothes. This is because clothing stores get their winter clothes in the store around August/September. The store needs to make room for the new line of clothing and hence must discount the remaining fall line. The clothes then go onto the Clearance racks. Prices on the clearance racks can be anywhere from 10% to 90% off the regular price.
I still say that the real bargains in clothing are at the second hand shops and the tag sales.
There are some advantages to second hand clothing that you cannot buy for any price in a retail outlet.
1. You can get clothes that are already wear-tested by real children. If the garment was apt to unravel, fade, spilt at the seams, etc, it already will have some signs of that.
2. You get clothes that would otherwise become land-fill. You contribute to the environment.
3. You can avoid the ugly things that are hot fashions, in favor of classic styles and looks that suit your youngster better than the latest fad. Lest you think that is the stingy attitude of a person too old to care about fashion, I point out that many a fad was started by a youngster who had his/her own sense of style, or had the guidance of a parent with that fabulous sense. If you choose clothes that are highlight what is attractive about your child, whether it is a sense of humor, classic coloring, a sunny disposition, or whatever, that may start a local fad.
4. Don't worry that you are being selfish and depriving some really needy family of clothes. There is a surplus of quality used clothing! Instead, by shopping in a store like Goodwill or The Salvation Army, you support a charity that is community-based and treats recipients with more dignity than the welfare office. With or without the Faith-Based Initiatives, supporting these charities provides help for those who fall through the cracks, and a wider selection of services, so that more individuals, not just more categories, are served.
5. You can shop for children with different styles at the same time! Does one child loves pastels or neutrals while another only looks good in primary colors? Does one daughter delight in frills and ruffles while another favors almost boyish styles? By shopping second-hand, you can find something for everyone in one store. So, while one child is on the prowl for the Laura Ashley look, another can be tracking down garments adorned with the image of Snoopy or Mickey, or investigating bold geometric patterns. There may even be a few really retro items for the fashion historian in your family.
- Rose B, mother of three, in NC
A lot depends on what you're looking for. Right now with all kinds of sales going on, it would be the time for shirts, blouses, and undergarments. Also think about skirts, dresses, pants [if the school allows them], for the warmer fall and next spring. Heavier clothing may be found, but you'll have to look, so it might be better to wait for
sales in the fall for them. Shoes, can be bought now. just make sure they're sturdy for school wear, and don't forget gym shoes and outfits.
- KayD
The Limited Too I bought my daughter several tops,dresses and pants and my other daughter a swimsuit all for $54.00. They were having a clearance sale of "summer" things. All items were marked down and then an extra 60% off.
I also got these things called too bucks to use on future purchase but they are only good during certain times and of course there is a minimum purchase. But those we will used for underwear, sock,ect..
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