teenage girl clothing budget?

[sl_underwood]

What is a typical back to school clothing budget for a thirteen year old? There is no uniform but as she has never been in a public school, she is wanting to fit in and from what I know, clothing seems to be a big part of that in a public school setting. Also, what is popular?

 

[Promomx2]

Check to see if you have Plato's Closet store near, also check the sales at aeropostle. I got a email this morning that they have dresses for $10 this weekend.

 

[mfd25wife]

What is a typical back to school clothing budget for a thirteen year old? There is no uniform but as she has never been in a public school, she is wanting to fit in and from what I know, clothing seems to be a big part of that in a public school setting. Also, what is popular?

Aeropostle
Forever 21
Urban Outfitters
Holister
Converse shoes in different colors/designs
Sperry shoes

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

sign up for emails from aeropostale -- they will send you a lot of emails but have great sales and their stuff is "in".

edited to add: make sure if your school has a clothing rule or not -- my DD's school would not allow spg straps of any kind.

 

[mfd25wife]

Oh, yes. I forgot the dress codes. DD's school was nothing shorter than $1 bill length from the knee, straps had to be two fingers wide, no bare midriff, no pajama pants, if they wore shorter skirts (even cheer), they had to have leggings on also.

 

[Darcy03231]

Stores like Aeropostle, American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Old Navy, Rue 21, Pac Sun, Hot Topic and Wet Seal are the popular stores for teens around here.

 

[summersalt]

I may go overboard on my DD14 but she never gets new clothes except at Christmas and when school starts. I usually spend around $300 when school starts and $500 at Christmas. Her favorites are:

Pac Sun
Hollister
American Eagle
Rue 21
Old Navy
Claire (for accessories)

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

What I learned this year was NOT to shop early,even a month makes a difference, they are growing so fast! I bought my DD new clothes in April that already don't fit.

We love Plato's Closet!
DD really likes to wear Aeropostale, especially their hoodies because her classrooms are always different temps so she can take them on/off as she needs to.

We do a mixture of Kohl's, Aeropostale, American Eagle and Dalia's for most of her clothes. Dd isn't as concerned about brand names as she is whether or not she likes something so she's pretty easy to buy for.

 

[polkadotminnie]

Check out Hollister right now. They have the Hollister t-shirts that the kids wear for $6-$7 ON SALE. I bought both my girls several.

 

[pyrxtc]

Also TJ Maxx and Marshalls have awesome stuff.

I think popular stores change depending on where you live and who you are. My 16 yr old DSD has different tastes than my 13 yr old DD and live two totally different types of places. Neither would shop at Hollister, Aeropostle, American Eagle or Ambercrombie.

TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Hot Topic, Rue 21, Forever 21 and even some Sears are great for them.

 

[tommya60]

Our DD (15) likes American Eagle, Forever 21, Abercombie, and Pac Sun. And we shop sample sales, too. Sign up for emails/loyalty programs at American Eagle, Pac Sun. Ambercrombie is having a big sale right now, she doesn't get much of it but a t-shirt or sweatshirt or two make her very happy.
Do watch the sizes. Our DD is thin, so I'm good buying tops on sale/clearance even if I am not giving them to her right away. Pants I buy when she needs them--she's tall and getting taller.
If you can, buy a couple of outfits for the start of school, then plan a shopping trip the first weekend after school starts. That way she can pick what "fits in" with the other students, the dress code, and your guidelines (budget and style).

 

[katied]

i did this last year for DNiece. We shopped mostly at Aeropostle. I didn't by much ahead - she was able to wear her summer clothes at the start anyway. That way, she could go to school for a week or two and see how the other kids were dressing first, and then we shopped (plus, got lots of coupons, deals at Aeropostle).

We stuck with basics that mixed and matched so I didn't have to spend a fortune. Total cost was around $200. She got a few clearance items from Hollister and American Eagle. Hollister is one of her favortie stores, but it more expensive.

Plus, I had her buy things a little bit bigger, since I knew she would grow (plus she didn't need everything to fit skin tight).

 

[jama]

My dd13 is a rising freshman..she loves
Hollister,
American Eagle
Aeropostle
other "must haves" (according to dd)..
coach purse (from outlet store with coupon..xmas present)
Vera Bradley..lunch box, all in one wristlet...things like that..not the purses
Northface backpack..~$90 with coupon last year..will use in Hs also
also very popular here are chaco sandals and Miss Me jeans...
The jeans are ~$100..I was able to get gift card on halfoffdepot.com for a local store that carries them...is the only way she was able to get a pair...
and the sandals are close to $100 but we have local places that have 20% coupons..most of the kids have these..but have not gotten her any yet..
Toms shoes are also very popular..but don't fit my DD right..
Uggs in the winter..order kids sizes to save money
My DD is a great at finding deals in her favorite stores...you just have to shop often!..she doesn't really do "back to school"..maybe just one new outfit..usually less than $50..

 

[aaarcher86]

If you have an outlet mall around I would go there as well - they have some great deals.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

I have tried to teach my girls that your clothing style is about YOU not what everyone else wears. I do not buy expensive school clothes. Especially jeans. Wal-mart or Old Navy jeans fit just as well as the more expensive brands. I just wont buy them.

My oldest wears the same outfit every day in varrying colors. Jeans, a tank top with an Aeropostal polo over it... sperrys or flip flops. YAWN. It does vary to jean or khaki shorts in the fall and spring though.

My younger daughter's taste is wilder.. she puts crazy wild outfits together. (skirts over jeans.. ect... wow. ) and as long as it is modest? I let her go nuts

I would say $200 is a good number to start her out since she is starting fresh. What I would do is let her get one outfit for the first day.. and then take her shopping after she sees what is in style at her school

 

[cruisnfamily]

I'm amazed so many of you are saying Aeropostale! It's very "out" around here. Nobody shops there at all.

American Eagle and Hollister are definitely still in although my DD17 doesn't care for their stuff so she doesn't go there.

She likes Charlotte Ruse, Forever 21, Wet Seal and some other smaller stores with cheaply made clothes like wet seal.

I don't think Coach or Vera Bradley are popular here. Or north face either.

Uggs are very popular but knockoff are also totally acceptable, even the cheap ones. No problem. I guess because we're in FL and there's not much of season for them.

Platos Closet can be hit or miss. It's definitely worth a shot.

DD has had luck lately at Bealls outlet and Burlington Coat Factory of all places, she just stopped in and found things she really liked.

I agree about just picking up one or 2 things and waiting a week or so before the big shopping trip because she'll know more of what she wants once she's seen how the other kids are dressing.

 

[sk!mom]

I think that it may really depend on your DD and your area.

My DD14 (rising freshman) wears mostly American Eagle, Hollister, Abercrombie, and a couple of small local boutiques for dresses.

Vera Bradley is very popular as are Sperrys and Uggs. My DD loves Vera and Uggs and has some of both. She doesn't care for Sperrys, though and despite all of her friends wearing them she never has. She calls them "ugly man shoes." Does your DD have an idea of what she wants to wear. My DD has definite opinions.

Back to school is usually around $300 for my DD.

 

[Debbie]

I have tried to teach my girls that your clothing style is about YOU not what everyone else wears. I do not buy expensive school clothes. Especially jeans. Wal-mart or Old Navy jeans fit just as well as the more expensive brands. I just wont buy them.

I would say $200 is a good number to start her out since she is starting fresh. What I would do is let her get one outfit for the first day.. and then take her shopping after she sees what is in style at her school

Thankfully, with five, only one of my kids were fashion conscious....and he's not anymore that he is on his own and pays for his clothing 100% now.
My youngest is in high school and has a uniform, so it is a non-issue for us, and the not-school-days are Wal-Mart, second hand, and gifted clothing days.

The important part of the above quote, I bolded.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Check and see if there are any regulations on shoes. The public schools in my area the children are not allowed to wear flip flops nor crocks. All shoes need a back to them. You may also want to check with the gym coaches as they may have a dress code as well.

 

[powellrj]

I'm amazed so many of you are saying Aeropostale! It's very "out" around here. Nobody shops there at all.

American Eagle and Hollister are definitely still in although my DD17 doesn't care for their stuff so she doesn't go there.

She likes Charlotte Ruse, Forever 21, Wet Seal and some other smaller stores with cheaply made clothes like wet seal.

I don't think Coach or Vera Bradley are popular here. Or north face either.

Uggs are very popular but knockoff are also totally acceptable, even the cheap ones. No problem. I guess because we're in FL and there's not much of season for them.

Platos Closet can be hit or miss. It's definitely worth a shot.

DD has had luck lately at Bealls outlet and Burlington Coat Factory of all places, she just stopped in and found things she really liked.

I agree about just picking up one or 2 things and waiting a week or so before the big shopping trip because she'll know more of what she wants once she's seen how the other kids are dressing.

I was surprised too. My DD hasn't shopped there in years. She does like the other stores you mentioned too. She also likes Pac Sun. My DD starts a new school this year too after spending middle school in a school with uniforms. She is going from an urban school to a small county school. I really haven't gotten her much because I thought I would wait until she starts to see what she wants.