WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), K-12 shoppers will spend an estimated $11.2 billion on clothes and accessories during the back-to-school season.
For many families, a big chunk of the budget is spent on clothes for the new school year. Lana Ashby Rowder, a fashion expert and founder of LookingGlass, says that shopping for back-to-school clothes does not have to break the bank.
“The first step before you do any major haul, like a back-to-school shopping haul, is to edit the closet. I think we are often surprised to find things that maybe fell off hangers or are tucked away that we didn’t even know we had,” said Rowder.
She says it’s important for parents to identify where there are gaps in the wardrobe to avoid buying unnecessary clothes.
Rowder recommends parents hold off on buying large amounts of clothes before the start of the school year because, depending on the child, taste in clothing can change after the first day of school.
“September equals savings. Let the early birds do all the August back-to-school shopping. By September, after Labor Day you are you are going to see sales, you are going to see price drops, and you can get a lot more bang for your buck,” said Rowder.
While in the store, Rowder recommends that parents shop intentionally by purchasing items that match what the child already owns. Parents should also ask the child to name two places where they would wear an item of clothing they want to avoid buying something that will go unused.
She also recommends shopping second-hand and suggests looking at different Facebook or neighborhood mom groups.
Rowder says parents should invest the most in backpacks and shoes since those pieces see the most wear and tear, says Rowder.
“These items get beat up. I mean, kids are wearing them every day on the playground, backpacks are thrown in lockers or hitting bus chairs as kids walk up and down the bus aisle. Really invest in these. If you get something that is at a cheaper price point or try to save a lot of money, you are just going to be replacing it, and it’s going to cause more headaches,” said Rowder.
She says that even when kids are a bit older, parents should label everything in case items end up in the lost and found. She also recommends that parents keep the first day of school outfit tucked away for picture day to save time down the line.
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