Back to School Wardrobe Budget

[KELLY]

My younger dd who is 3 wardrobe is all from TCP. They had there basic jeans on sale for 10.00 this week than another 30% off. She got tons of cute stuff for around 170.00. That was 8 complete outfits not all jeans she got a couple of skirts with leggings. That also included a pair of sneakers,backpack and sweatshirt. She also got a pair of more fancy jeans.

My older dd I think I spent 100.00 so far at TCP and then another 100.00 at Justice. She also has around 8 outfits,backpack and sweatshirt to start with. I will buy more beacuse our winter months are long. But they should be good for a bit.

 

[supermom0726]

EEEEKKKKK yall are gonna think I'm crazy but school clothes are not something I would ever go super cheap on, at least for the older girl... I spend at least $600 on DD9 and its prob way more but I lose track cause I try and buy a little each week. Its not right by any means but at that age clothes are really important to kids!! Especially girls! While I scrimp on everything else (my clothes are from WalMart or Target) my girls get really nice name brand clothes because I remember being a kid and how important it was to look and dress nice. With you being a new stepmom I would see what you can afford right now and def shop for deals, but at least for my kids $100 or $200 just wouldnt cut it...at all. Justice, Abercrombie and Hollister are the faves of my DD9 and we only buy stuff there thats on sale or with a coupon. Its actually way cheaper than WalMart or Target when you shop that way and you actually get nice clothes. Hollister and Abercrombie have half off clearance items sales and you can get shirts there for like $8!! Talk to your stepdaughter and see what kind of things she would like and that way you know shes going to school confident and "dressed for success" lol

 

[NotUrsula]

Labels are really important to SOME kids, but IMO it's best to start them off young in understanding that a clothing budget exists and must be adhered to, assuming that such a budget does exist.

In my current situation it is not an issue that I have at all, because my DS cares only about comfort and style; he couldn't care less about brands (with one exception, TEVA sandals; those I will buy because he lives in them when not at school, and they hold up for long use and are forgiving on size. Besdies, he likes them because they are the most comfortable shoes he has, not because there is any status associated with the brand.)

My kids' casual clothing budget is set, and we won't be going over for the sake of having particular labels unless the kid in question is willing to give something up to get them; either buying them used, contributing out of their savings, or buying far fewer items in order to pay for it. Yeah, that's hard, but it would be harder to be indulged until young adulthood and have to learn the lesson then by crashing financially. There is ALWAYS going to be someone in your world with more disposable money than you have.

 

[ltl engine]

Not sure if you were aware that Sears has a program called KidVantage. You just give them your phone# for reference when you buy kids clothes & shoes. You get rewards coupons etc. Also the BEST benefit is that if you buy something with KidVantage and it rips, zipper breaks, hole, etc. within 1 year and it still fits them, you can bring in the item & your receipt and they will give you a new item. Generally I buy my boys shoes at Sears which cost a little more than other places--New Balance for approx. $35 but then after Christmas vacation when they are completely worn out with holes.. I just bring them back with the receipt and they give me a new pair of shoes. If they do not have the same style they give you credit towards another similar pair. I have also used this for Levi jeans with holes in the knees. Sears also does price adjustments if it is on sale in the next 60 days. Also I have gotten 1 free pair of jeans since they price did not run up correctly. I know a lot of people don't shop at Sears but you can really get good deals if you pay attention...Good Luck!

 

[abcboys]

I have 3 boys and have never done back to school clothes shopping. Like others I'll wait till around October then pull out their cool weather clothes and see what they need more of or what doesn't fit from last year. And when I do shop I usually hit the thrift stores. It's amazing what nice things you can find if you just look. A month or so ago my local consignment had 75% off everything and my oldest got some really nice shirts for $2. I did buy my youngest new shoes and everyone got new socks. That's it for now.

So, I wouldn't really buy stuff just cause it's "back to school". They will wear what they have in their closet for now.

 

[Pigeon]

Labels are really important to SOME kids, but IMO it's best to start them off young in understanding that a clothing budget exists and must be adhered to, assuming that such a budget does exist.

In my current situation it is not an issue that I have at all, because my DS cares only about comfort and style; he couldn't care less about brands (with one exception, TEVA sandals; those I will buy because he lives in them when not at school, and they hold up for long use and are forgiving on size. Besdies, he likes them because they are the most comfortable shoes he has, not because there is any status associated with the brand.)

My kids' casual clothing budget is set, and we won't be going over for the sake of having particular labels unless the kid in question is willing to give something up to get them; either buying them used, contributing out of their savings, or buying far fewer items in order to pay for it. Yeah, that's hard, but it would be harder to be indulged until young adulthood and have to learn the lesson then by crashing financially. There is ALWAYS going to be someone in your world with more disposable money than you have.

Amen.

It's my 14yo's birthday next week. She'd like a bunch of name brand clothes. She also asked for Uggs. She's got Bearpaws, which she's liked in the past just fine, but she's going into high school and she thinks she needs the status symbol of Uggs.

I told her I'd buy Uggs for her bd if she really wants them, but that's all she'll be getting. All the sudden, the Bearpaws are just fine.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I spend a ton of money on my kids clothes . We live in a school district with alot of affluent families. But that aside, I buy all my clothes at White House Black Market, Cache and Loft so I cant expect my kids to get clothes from Target and Wal-Mart.

I have bought my DD (7) some school clothes at Justice and have spent about $250.00, I will probably spend another $150.00. Plus tennis shoes and I'll buy her Ugg boots in a month or so for her birthday.

DS (13 ) wears Nike and Under Armor. He's OK but I'll buy him a couple UA outfits that will be close to $150.00 and some nike windpants at the outlet in a month or so. He needs tennis shoes also , about $120.00 if I'm lucky and he also needs new basketball shoes, about $100.00.

Our budget is huge for clothes. But thats one of the reasons I work part-time.

 

[neatokimmo]

DD has 17outfits for the fall/winter. I paid anywhere from $1 (nwt from a consignment store) to a max of $12 per outfit. Some outfits are interchangeable for school or church. I bought a lot of basic pieces super cheap then mixed in fancier stuff. I bought the last pair of leggings last week, I am done!

This doesn't include 4 red thread outfits that I bought for pictures. I have $130 in those lol probably more than what I have in her regular stuff!

I don't wait for school time to shop for clothes. The deals are at the end of the season. I know not everyone can guess ahead but you can save a lot if you keep your eyes open.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I buy used, as well. I buy good quality clothing from an upscale resale shop - Gymboree, Janie & Jack, Gap, Boden, etc. I will spend probably around $200 for my daughter, and maybe a $100 for my son. The baby has gotten so many clothes from yard sales this summer that he needs nothing.

I do, however, expect to make $1000+ at resales selling clothing, so my clothes budget is negative.

 

[NotUrsula]

But that aside, I buy all my clothes at White House Black Market, Cache and Loft so I cant expect my kids to get clothes from Target and Wal-Mart.

LOL -- sure you can: they are kids, they play in dirt and wipe their hands on their clothes without thinking. They also grow, which is why I refuse to spend a ton of money on clothes that are going to go down playground slides, get marker on them, and be outgrown before the end of the season.

The other day I stopped into K-mart and picked up 4 playclothes pieces on clearance for my 4 yo for a total of $6.23. Even if DD rips them the first time they are worn, at that price I won't be crying over it. Naturally I spend a bit more on things for her teen brother, but not that much more; he is growing at an insane rate.

It makes perfect sense to pay more for adult clothing/shoes than for kids' items, especially if you don't have other children to hand the clothes down to. If adults maintain their weight, then good clothing can be worn for years; that will never be true of clothes purchased for a given child.

 

[momejay]

My kids are all teens. I get one nice outfit for their first day back. If they need jeans or undies because they've outgrown last year's then I might buy an extra pair. My oldest needs a new bra every time I go to the store, it seems. I think she's eating her deodorant too, but at least she doesn't smell like my middle one.
Last year I spent $150 on the oldest one, but she lost a bunch of weight over the summer and really needed clothes. My son needs a new pair of sneakers every few months. He is getting a new pair of sneakers and 4 pairs of jeans. (but only because I found them on sale 2 pairs for $14) I also bought him 4 shirts at a cost of about $35. The girls each got a pair of jeans, a skirt, 3 shirts and new undies. I spent $70 on each girl so far. I still need to get a coupld of bras for one and socks for the other.
Hope that helps!

 

[RitaE]

We usually give each kid an amount to spend (even my 21 year old college senior and last year his girlfriend) and then do a day at the outlet mall where they get to pick out an outfit. Last year I think we gave them $80 each.

Then we all go out to dinner together. It's a family tradition.

All the rest of the year I buy their clothes as I see the bargains. The only one I have left who is really growing is my youngest, and I keep a list on my iPhone of what he seems to be running short on and buy when I see the sales. I already have a fall coat for him and plenty of jeans from last year's clearance sales.

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

I"m not buying my daughter anything, she has so much stuff already it's ridiculous. She doesn't need more clothing.
My son is starting junior high and they wear uniforms so I've had to buy him clothes that fit that uniform requirement- pants in black, navy or khaki and polos in certain colors, etc. Otherwise he has more than enough clothes already as well.
I don't take my kids "back to school" shopping, I just buy what they need when they need it. I would take stock of what the kids already have and just go from there.

 

[crisi]

I spend a ton of money on my kids clothes . We live in a school district with alot of affluent families. But that aside, I buy all my clothes at White House Black Market, Cache and Loft so I cant expect my kids to get clothes from Target and Wal-Mart.

We've purposely chosen to live in a less affluent area so that isn't a problem. We are affluent ourselves, but I'm trying very hard not to give my kids affluenza. I figure their chances of having their parents income is pretty small, and I've watched a lot of friends flounder when they can't afford the lifestyle to which they've grown accustomed living with their parents.

 

[punkin]

We've purposely chosen to live in a less affluent area so that isn't a problem. We are affluent ourselves, but I'm trying very hard not to give my kids affluenza. I figure their chances of having their parents income is pretty small, and I've watched a lot of friends flounder when they can't afford the lifestyle to which they've grown accustomed living with their parents.

Not that I disagree with you about "affluenza" but why would you say your children will have less that you? I thought the whole purpose of educating them and providing for my children was to assure that at some point they have what we have (or hopefully more). Sorry this is off topic.

 

[JamesMom]

This past Sunday I hit Kohl's and got my sons going into 1st and 3rd grade set for the first part of school for about $200 out of pocket (Kohls cash & % off coupon).

Each boy got:
3 Chaps short sleeve polos good for picture day, dress up and church
3 character t-shirts (2 of the 6 I bought were on the clearance rack for $3 each) to add to the summer souvenir shirts purchased over the summer (camp/VBS shirts and Sea World/Great Wolf trips shirts)
3 prs of shorts - to supplement what they already have clearanced for $2.50 each - had to snatch them up in the next size.
1 pr tennis shoes (1 bought with Kohls cash yesterday)
12 pr socks
10 pr underwear
1 backpack (bought with Kohls cash) total. Older DS didn't like selection.

In October or so I'll pick up fleece jackets and jeans (usually only 3 prs) as needed. In November I'll get a sweater set for the Christmas pictures and that will be the only long sleeve item in their wardrobes (North Texas) as well as the 1 PJ they wear for Christmas morning (sleep in underwear year round) . Replace their winter coats as needed, though probably not this year as I bought last year in big sizes. Expect another pair of Tennis shoes by then, too. And that will do them until Spring when it's shorts, swimsuits and sandals as well as replacing underwear & socks. Tennis shoes are black with a touch of color so they are worn everywhere so no need for 'dress shoes'.

I do laundry several times a week as boys get dirty but they generally wear tops 1x and bottoms 2x before in the wash they go.

 

[crisi]

Not that I disagree with you about "affluenza" but why would you say your children will have less that you? I thought the whole purpose of educating them and providing for my children was to assure that at some point they have what we have (or hopefully more). Sorry this is off topic.

Statistics and luck. Our household is in the top earnings quintile. We got lucky by being in the right place and right time to take advantage of the dot com boom. The chances that my kids will have that sort of luck, and combine it with that sort of earnings power, aren't great. I hope they do, but I don't want them to take for granted the lifestyle that their parents could afford. So we generally choose not to afford it. (There are exceptions, for instance, I think travel is valuable. School wardrobe, not so much.)

Plus my daughter wants to be a teacher. A noble profession, but she'd better learn to survive on chicken scratch. My son lacks ambition - I hope he finds it - but without it, he'll also need to learn to live below his parents' means.

 

[jjameson]

Thanks for everyone replies. Despite the wide range it helped us set up a budget, aiming for around $150 per kid. I guess part of the problem is that they keep growing so it seems like tops that fit this summer won't be appropriate for school. Any ideas how to keep them from outgrowing them? Anyways, thanks so much guys, I knew I could count on disboards for some guidance.

 

[crisi]

Thanks for everyone replies. Despite the wide range it helped us set up a budget, aiming for around $150 per kid. I guess part of the problem is that they keep growing so it seems like tops that fit this summer won't be appropriate for school. Any ideas how to keep them from outgrowing them? Anyways, thanks so much guys, I knew I could count on disboards for some guidance.

Oh, that's easy. Stop feeding them. Works on the dog too if you don't like poopy scooping

(Seriously, buy clothes a little larger where you can get away with it. They'll last a little longer. You can't always get away with it, but my kids often pick clothes that are almost too small now when I let them go on their own - picking things just a little big works much better.)

 

[Zhoen]

One quick thing to add that I didn't see mentioned-- go ahead and pick up shoes in "too big" sizes as you are out and about if (and ONLY if) they are on crazy-good clearance. They'll grow, and shoe styles don't fluctuate like clothing does. I have easily a dozen or so pairs of "waiting to grow into" shoes between my two girls... but for $2 a pair, it's worth it, plus it saves the inevitable, horrible "It's time to go out the door and suddenly the shoes that fit yesterday don't fit anymore" crises.