The Dreaded School Clothes Shopping Trip...

[calypso*a*go-go]

with teenage daughter!!! :scared1:

I've put this moment off as long as I can. Everyday I've tuned out the "when are we going school clothes shopping?" chant coming from DD for the last several weeks. I feel like a trapped animal -- I'll either have to take her or chew my own leg off!

Now it wouldn't be so bad if DD and I had the same taste in clothing, or even a happy medium somewhere but I'm "old school", you know -- clothes should match and be appropriate for the weather. DD is more of a free spirit and doesn't understand that her prancing out of the dressing room proud as a peacock wearing colors and patterns that don't match is enough to put me into convulsions. And are flip-flops really winter shoes?

How many times must I suffer by being told I'm old and don't know what's in style? I guess my wallet must be though as she loves it so much she's wearing it out! :teeth:

[disneymom8589]

Oh boy, I can relate to you! They love your money, but not so much your opinion! :lmao: My DD is getting married next summer and I have a sneaky suspicion that when I like something, she'll find a reason to not like it. Maybe reverse psychology will work!

BTW, I know you're from WA state. Where do you go shopping?

[DVCsince02]

Just remember to take lots of pics of her in those mis-matched outfits and in about 5-10 years, whip 'em out. She'll be totally embarrased of how she dressed and you can get in an old fashioned "told ya so".

Then there is always the "I'm buying, so you get what I like" route. That usually ends up bad (especially with teenagers).

Or, the "Get a job, and you can buy what you like". This route usually leads to Mom or Dad playing chauffer.

So that brings us back to Plan A. Good luck!

[calypso*a*go-go]

Oh boy, I can relate to you! They love your money, but not so much your opinion! :lmao: My DD is getting married next summer and I have a sneaky suspicion that when I like something, she'll find a reason to not like it. Maybe reverse psychology will work!

BTW, I know you're from WA state. Where do you go shopping?

On an expedition of this magnitude we will probably drive across the river and go to the Clackamas Mall (no sales tax!).

[kab407]

And I think, this is the main reason why I went to Catholic school. Uniforms! No arguing over what I was wearing. The nuns decided that.

Have fun Lisa!

[cocowum]

with teenage daughter!!! :scared1:

I've put this moment off as long as I can. Everyday I've tuned out the "when are we going school clothes shopping?" chant coming from DD for the last several weeks. I feel like a trapped animal -- I'll either have to take her or chew my own leg off!

Now it wouldn't be so bad if DD and I had the same taste in clothing, or even a happy medium somewhere but I'm "old school", you know -- clothes should match and be appropriate for the weather. DD is more of a free spirit and doesn't understand that her prancing out of the dressing room proud as a peacock wearing colors and patterns that don't match is enough to put me into convulsions. And are flip-flops really winter shoes?

How many times must I suffer by being told I'm old and don't know what's in style? I guess my wallet must be though as she loves it so much she's wearing it out! :teeth:

At least your DD is wearing colors! Mine refuses to wear anything that is perceived as bright. :eek: She is driving me crazy with all this black! :lmao:

I am a shopaholic and she's not. :scared: She doesn't even want new school clothes!!!!

WHAT!?!? I have to drag her to the mall. She wants to go to school in her old beat up chuck taylors. :sad1: ...:lmao:

[luna99]

I don't have any kids yet but I know that school shopping with girls must be torture on moms!! when I was a teen/in high school this is how our shopping usually went:

1. we had to go to a nearby bigger city because there weren't stores with things that would fit me in our town or I wanted clothing that was unique and other kids at my school wouldn't be able to find. :rolleyes:

2. we'd get to the mall and I would always want the clothes that were more "fashionable" but I was a chunky girl so they never looked "right" on me... so I would try some stuff on.. get aggravated.. and get upset. :headache:

3. In an effort to make me feel better (and because it was usually noon by now and we hadn't bought anything anyway) mom and I would eat lunch. Usually at a sit down place like Olive Garden, etc...

4. Due to just eating, I would feel more bloated and stuffed and by this point I didn't feel like trying clothes on anymore... I might try something just to please mom but sometimes it would end in tears. BTW, mom would always suggest I get pleated pants... PLEATED!?! ugh. I would never like what she would pick out for me.

5. I would be lucky if I came home with a pair of shoes and maybe one shirt.. the day would be wasted, and I wouldn't be much closer to having a new school wardrobe. :rolleyes2

you know.. looking back on what my mom had to go through with me.. I think I'm going to call her and say thank you.. or buy her a gift or something.. sheesh. I was one pain in the butt teen!

ugh! I hope if I have daughters the whole process goes smoother for us!

good luck OP!!! here's some pixie dust.. you might need it! :wizard:

[pklein09]

How old is your daughter? Could you give her X amount of dollars and have her spend it herself? When it's gone, it's gone. My mom and I never had a falling out about clothes - I liked jeans and a shirt/sweater. DS11 sings with the American Boychoir and they wear uniforms. After 1 year of him with the choir, I fully support uniforms in public schools. Soooooooooo much easier.

I still have 3 kids to outfit for school. DS7 could care less. I bought him 3 pairs of jeans and that's about it for now. He gets DS11s hand-me-downs. I bought DD12 3 pairs of jeans and she's got tops from the lady next door - her girls are just older than my girls. DD9 needs pants, but I need to take her for fit - LLBean pants were the only thing that fit last year. Slim cut legs and my family genes just don't mix :rolleyes: . I will take them next week for new sneakers. And that's about it. Two of them have birthdays in November, so I just wait until then and tell the family to buy them clothes!!! Can't argue when it's a gift!!!

Best of luck with the shopping!

[Madi100]

Good luck! We have just discovered Holister. Good thing is she is young, and she can wear the xsmall, so we can shop clearance. But still. younger DD is into Limited Too. At the beginning of 5th grade, older DD was in an 8, now she wears a 12. Her shoe size has increased by 2 sizes.

[SamIAm21]

I took my daughter, 8, last weekend. I have an oddball daughter who doesn't like to shop and really wouldn't know an outfit if it hit her upside the head. I tried to put together some things for her and said, you like this?? And all I got was yeah, it's nice, it's okay, sure, I'll wear it I guess. I didn't take her to dorky stores either... Old Navy for basics, Justice for Girls, The Gap, and JC Penney for the Hanna Montana junk. It was like pulling teeth just to get her to say she liked something. I finally just picked it out stuff and said, you'll be wearing this!

I was like :headache:

[LilGMom]

This is yet another reason I love having boys!! Granted my oldest is only 7 yrs. old but he could care less about what he has one. We took him last weekend to shop for clothes. DH & I would split up, grab some clothes, check the fit and we were done. :) Hope we can continue shopping that way for many many more years.

[calypso*a*go-go]

DD is 15 and I don't think I could give a certain amount of money and let her spend it at her own discretion -- it would be gone on 1 item. :sad2:

I'm sure it won't be that bad. We just butt head sometimes over whats appropriate for her age and what isn't. She likes Hollister/American Eagle/Old Navy etc so hopefully we'll find some things to agree on without too many pouts or eyerolls. :thumbsup2

[BRobson]

Do kids in the USA get to wear what they want to school ?

What a nightmare:confused3 Uniforms are great - so glad I dont have that hassles!! My DD is 8 and is a nightmare to shop for at the best of times ;)



Good luck :hug:

[Cyrano]

We are off this weekend to do school clothes, lunch bags etc shopping
I'm old school and much to eldest DDs scorn will be sticking with school uniform :thumbsup2

[catycatcat4]

DD is 15 and I don't think I could give a certain amount of money and let her spend it at her own discretion -- it would be gone on 1 item. :sad2:

I'm sure it won't be that bad. We just butt head sometimes over whats appropriate for her age and what isn't. She likes Hollister/American Eagle/Old Navy etc so hopefully we'll find some things to agree on without too many pouts or eyerolls. :thumbsup2

Im ttly the oposit im 15 i have my own money sometimes im more likely to get on my moms nerves BC i would take so long.

See if there is a platos closet near you its a second hand store (Very popular store around here for my age now :lmao: ) but most of the stuff still has tags on it and there all name brands and they are VERY strict about what kinda stuff they will put in the store.
http://www.platoscloset.com/


I got this hollister shirt at platos it still had its original tag and it was 5 dollors it would of been 30-50 in hollister and this thing was in there stores nto to long ago.

and i got a pair of seven jeans that was saw in another store that was 60$ :scared1:

Go to kohls if ya got one it has stuff from what i can tell sound like stuff she would like.

got a super cute plad skirt.

[disneymom8589]

The Clackamas Town Center is great...especially since they've remodeled it! We actually live further north (across Puget Sound from Seattle), but DD and I and her friend used to go school clothes shopping every summer at the Clackamas Town Center. My sister lives about 10 minutes from there. :)

[calypso*a*go-go]

We went yesterday afternoon and it actually wasn't too bad. First of all, the stores were practically deserted...a lot different from last year. Also, DD has finally become used to what I think is acceptable and what isn't (talking styles and prices here).

[parrotheadlois]

What a great suggestion Catycatcat4!

[fakereadhed]

See if there is a platos closet near you its a second hand store (Very popular store around here for my age now :lmao: ) but most of the stuff still has tags on it and there all name brands and they are VERY strict about what kinda stuff they will put in the store.
http://www.platoscloset.com/
.

My DD15 just discovered Plato's Closet. She brought in her stuff to sell and got about $36 for 11 items that she wore for over a year. :woohoo: She thought the prices were a little high for the condition of the clothes so she didn't buy anything from our store.

She shops mostly at TJMaxx and Marshalls because she likes the name brands at Target prices because they last better. I buy her some stuff for school but everything else she buys herself with money from babysitting and mowing our lawn. She also buys AE and Hollister when they have clearance sales online.

Her 14yo sister gets some great hand me downs which is a good thing because she hates shopping. I feel the pain of all of you with daughters that you have to drag to the mall! :headache:

[cccm]

Have to take DD10 this weekend and don't want to do it. She has been very active all summer and has thinned out and grew two inches. Over the winter she will beef up. I can't win with that and the change of the seasons. I curse having to buy pants for her!!!

[wishspirit]

I am so glad i wore a school uniform up to the age of 16, made my life so much easier! I would hate to shop for clothes in one marathon session. I just pop into town and buy one or two things at a time to keep my wardrobe topped up.

From the age of 11 i got a clothes allowance and told to buy my own, my parents hated it that much. If i bought anything they really hated we would sit down and have a 'talk'. I think that happened once, and i only bought it to match a friend, i am pretty sure that went back!

The down side to that is i never know what i look good in! My boyfriend has to come with most of the time to help me out with what to wear!

[stitchlover]

OMG! I just want to hide my head in the sand and pretend it doesn't have to happen. I have a 12 year old (she will be 13 in October) who is very opinionated and has this idea in her mind of how she is going to dress. Mix in with that an anxiety disorder (both of us) and having moved 45 miles and starting a new school with all new kids. Can someone please give me a valium? I might need it to get through this.

Good luck to everyone.

[florep1]

I feel your pain OP. I have two 15 year old dds and they're both into Hollister, A&F, etc. And to top it off they both wear 00 jeans. We live in a small town and it is hard to find one pair of 00 jeans, much less two. we usually end up wasting a whole day shopping but not buying anything, just trying out for sizes, then going home and ordering online because somehow, neither finds anything "just right". :scared1:

Can't give them a budget cause like yours, they'll blow it on one item. DH took them shopping 2 weeks ago and with their budget I though they'd get at leasr a ccouple of clothes. They both came home with a Coach purse a piece.

[calypso*a*go-go]

Alright everyone -- take a deep breath, we can get through this together!!! :hug:

[cocowum]

Well we just got back. We all made it out alive. ;)

It was actually not that bad. :rotfl:

[catycatcat4]

I feel your pain OP. I have two 15 year old dds and they're both into Hollister, A&F, etc. And to top it off they both wear 00 jeans. We live in a small town and it is hard to find one pair of 00 jeans, much less two. we usually end up wasting a whole day shopping but not buying anything, just trying out for sizes, then going home and ordering online because somehow, neither finds anything "just right". :scared1:

Can't give them a budget cause like yours, they'll blow it on one item. DH took them shopping 2 weeks ago and with their budget I though they'd get at leasr a ccouple of clothes. They both came home with a Coach purse a piece.

00 DANG THATS SMALL!!!!!! i wish i was that small!

[catycatcat4]

I saw a shirt from l ike epcot but it was like super tiny and it was only 5 dolors :scared1:

[sandyh67]

I love the mismatched clothes look- DS (16) often will come out with plaid shorts- stiped shirt. apparently this is perfectly appropriate-
And the flip flops in Winter- Oye

[fakereadhed]

And the flip flops in Winter- Oye

And no jacket in the winter. But apparently a black hoodie and jeans are needed in the heat of the summer. :confused3

[tinkbutt]

Alright everyone -- take a deep breath, we can get through this together!!! :hug:

I think the best way to go is OLD NAVY. almost everything in there is cool and appropriate!!! plus if you have an old navy card they usually do stuff and save near then middle of August. ( stuff and save = a bag they send you in the mail anything you can fit in it will be 20% off, Usually they won't necessarily make it what you can fit usually it will be the whole transaction, unless you get a manager who is a stickler)


I say just stay away from hollister... too expensive and their clothes are made for Barbie dolls!! all of them are too thin and their shorts aren't long enough for anyone to wear!!!

[*NikkiBell*]

Don't worry. I have to make the same trip for "teacher clothes."

[calypso*a*go-go]

I say just stay away from hollister... too expensive and their clothes are made for Barbie dolls!! all of them are too thin and their shorts aren't long enough for anyone to wear!!!

I agree! This is a problem I have w/DD -- she is pretty full-figured yet she still tries to squeeze into the clothes they offer. She'll come out of the dressing room and say: "See, it fits." and my usually response is: "Where?".

We also wandered into the Nordstom Rack and I wish we would have started there first. They had some great stuff (all namebrands) that DD was interested in, but we only had about 30 minutes before they closed.

After our visit to AE we came home and ordered some jeans online after she tried them on and could see how they fit. We had some discount codes to use so it was actually cheaper than getting there in the store.

[calypso*a*go-go]

Don't worry. I have to make the same trip for "teacher clothes."

Fredericks? :teeth:

[catycatcat4]

i hate old navy its so gross.

[calypso*a*go-go]

i hate old navy its so gross.

Why's that catycat?

[Madi100]

I'm glad that they didn't have Hollister when I was growing up, because there is no way I could have ever shopped there. My cousin who is a stick has to wear their larges. I bet she is a size 4, if that.

[catycatcat4]

Why's that catycat?

The one around here doesn thave any thing for my age all kiddie stuff and guy stuff. only time they have things my age would wear is around winter they have some winter stuff but dont need that often around here.

[Jubilee]

I just had flashbacks to school shopping... :confused3 It traumatized me as a kid having to wear the dorky crap my mom would buy for me. I remember in middle school wearing my dad's t-shirts to school almost every day...so dorky! :rotfl:

[fakereadhed]

i hate old navy its so gross.

My kids feel the same way. They think the ladies stuff looks like mom clothes. When they were grade school age they loved the kids section, but it is pretty "out" in our area for middle school and high school kids.

[tinkbutt]

I agree! This is a problem I have w/DD -- she is pretty full-figured yet she still tries to squeeze into the clothes they offer. She'll come out of the dressing room and say: "See, it fits." and my usually response is: "Where?".

We also wandered into the Nordstom Rack and I wish we would have started there first. They had some great stuff (all namebrands) that DD was interested in, but we only had about 30 minutes before they closed.

After our visit to AE we came home and ordered some jeans online after she tried them on and could see how they fit. We had some discount codes to use so it was actually cheaper than getting there in the store.

I understand there are those girls out there who are naturally thin but I wear a 4 any where and in there I can't even squeeze into a 9 that is a big jump!!!!

and if a younger girl is in there trying these "cool" clothes on then they will feel horrible about themselves!! NOT a happy shopping trip if you ask me!!!


And I do agree that Old Navy is very hit or miss depending on where you live!

[fakereadhed]

Amazon has juniors Seven7 jeans for $10.99 right now! Just picked up a couple for my DD and wanted to share the deal with you. Free super saver shipping over $25.

http://www.amazon.com/Seven7-Jeans-Juniors-Linden-30/dp/B0010OBLIA/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1218859405&sr=8-1

[calypso*a*go-go]

Amazon has juniors Seven7 jeans for $10.99 right now! Just picked up a couple for my DD and wanted to share the deal with you. Free super saver shipping over $25.

http://www.amazon.com/Seven7-Jeans-Juniors-Linden-30/dp/B0010OBLIA/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1218859405&sr=8-1

That looks like a great deal...I'll have to show them to DD. Thanks!

Catycat -- I think we have a Plato's Closet that just opened up here a few months ago, so we'll have to give it a try too. :goodvibes

[disneymom8589]

Don't worry. I have to make the same trip for "teacher clothes."


Ditto! Several stores still have more summer clothes out than fall. Of the fall clothes I've seen, I haven't been too crazy about the colors they're showing.

[stitchlover]

Here's an update from here...we did our first round of shopping today and there wasn't one fight. We picked up some pants and shirts in about three stores. On Thursday (after payday for me) we will hit Delia's for some more t-shirts and then DSW for shoes. I have to say it has actually been quite painless this year. Part of that is because I finally got my 12 year old to shop in the junior/preteen section and not the kids section. She is so uncomfortable with the 15 and 16 year olds but those are the styles she wants to wear!

Good luck to everyone else. I am hoping Thursday goes as smooth as today went.