where do you do your kids' back-to-school shopping?

[MomNeedsVacay]

Do you have favorite stores? Any good deals out there right now? Both of my DD's will be in preschool this fall, so they need some nice school clothes in addition to their regular play clothes.... Where are you shopping?

 

[RumpleMom]

Just a suggestion from a mother of daughters who has been there. Where ever you shop try to get comfortable clothes that they can run, jump and play in. DD got paint on a new shirt from Grandma that had been pricey. She was so upset it took her a long time to go anywhere near anything messy. My dumb fault not hers. Kids need to feel free to particpate in the activites.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I will say that my DDs preschool teachers did an awesome job of keeping the kiddos clean and using appropriate paint smocks etc. My oldest was and is a very neat child. Because I have 2 girls, I started spending more on her outfits knowing they would get worn by both, and then hoped for some resale value. Of course that turned around and bit me in the behind.

DD#2 was anything but neat, she has earned her nickname of "the mess monster". If there is a molecule of dirt in the air, it will find its way onto the front of her shirt. A lot of her stuff, especially shirts, end up with a variety of stains. Most of the time they are faint and she continues to wear the shirts, but every now and again there is a whopper I can't get out and the shirt is trashed. Kindergarten and chocolate milk every day for lunch was the worst year.

so buy inexpensive stuff for school that is still cute. I like Target and Children's Place for playclothes. I also shop garage sales and consignment stores for nicer brands and a good price. Gymboree was "the good stuff" for me, but some people consider that playwear and use boutique labels for nicer occasions. It all depends on your price point.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

As a parent and a preschool teacher my advice is to send them to school in clothes that are good for playing in. I try to keep paint and other art supplies off my students clothes and most times I can. The playground and lunch however are harder to prevent accidents. For little girls please don't send them in dresses that are below the knees, these can be a trip hazard on the playground and stairs(the skirt brushes the step above/behind them and the next kid steps on it). A good preschool is messy(life is messy) and while we try to "keep it clean", stains happen.

 

[weldon1]

My youngest is going into 5th and my twins are going into 6th this year. I like Supermarket of Shoes for tennis shoes (buy one get one half off right now). I like Kohls for jeans (usually not until later), they run some great sales.

I usually don't buy a lot of school clothes in August. They get new shoes and a new new first day of school outfit. Most of the time their spring shorts, capris, and short sleeve tops still fit. I buy most of their clothes in late sept. or early oct. This is when we pull out the jeans and realize how much they have grown.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Most of the time their spring shorts, capris, and short sleeve tops still fit. I buy most of their clothes in late sept. or early oct. This is when we pull out the jeans and realize how much they have grown.

ITA! Unless there's a great sale of course...

My son is starting Pre-K this year. Almost all of his clothes come from JCPenny, Children's Place, Target, or the Osh Kosh factory store. It's generally still warm here during the first few weeks of school, so he'll probably still be in shorts and t-shirts. I'm hoping that he still has a few pair of jeans that fit from the spring.

And a slightly OT rant, but isn't it horrible shopping for boy's clothes? Seriously, there are colors besides BLUE and GRAY - and why do so many little boys clothes have SOCCER BALLS and DINOSAURS on them??? UGH!

 

[kinntj]

My kids clothes come from all over the place. I get most from JCPenny, Target and Gap. Then a few from Children's Place, Gymboree, and Macy's. I buy clothing constantly throughout the year, so they never get a huge amount at one time. For my preschooler, I stick with very comfy clothing. Easy to pull down and up for potty time and romping around. I did get Gymboree for her, but all are interchangable outfits. My older Dd got 2 pairs of pants from JCPenny and some shirts and pants from Land's End. Land's End is my favorite, because it wears well and both kids can wear it. Expensive, but worth it.
They always get new tennis shoes from Stride Rite every year. That way they get a proper fitting and they last all year.

 

[MNdisneymom]

And a slightly OT rant, but isn't it horrible shopping for boy's clothes? Seriously, there are colors besides BLUE and GRAY - and why do so many little boys clothes have SOCCER BALLS and DINOSAURS on them??? UGH!

Tell me about it!!! I was so happy to find Gymboree had a line this summer that had oranges and browns (it was a safari, outdoorsy theme)...and as a plus, I got most of it at the Gymboree outlet, so it was cheaper!

On the other hand, it *is* easier dressing a boy, I think, than a girl...shorts shirt, socks, shoes, and out the door--no messing with accessories or hair stuff!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I like Kohls and Target for some cute things, but I do think Gap and Lands End stuff holds up much better. My DD wore the same Lands End play dress for three years although it was a strictly home play dress this summer because it was too short. It still looks good, and she is not a super neat person. My youngest is wearing all my oldest's Gap hand-me-downs. I do like Target but have found they don't last more than a season - either fading or ripping - so I buy just the right size.

Another vote on nothing too nice for preschool. The director always talks about that at parent orientation!

 

[Desnik]

For DS, who is 4 and starting pre school I usually buy at The Children's Place. I try to get him clothes that are easy on/off for going to the potty. I did go to the Ralph Lauren outlet store and got him dressier stuff and got really good deals.

DD is 9 and I buy most of her stuff at Gymboree. She is starting to revolt and wants to shop at Limited Too. I am giving in and taking her there for a couple of things.

For play clothes I go to Target.

 

[Desnik]

Oh, my DD's school does not allow flip flops and prefers the kids wearing rubber soled shoes or sneakers. They let the kids play outside everyday and I find it best for DD to wear sneakers most of the time.

 

[mericletwins]

We have twins that are going into third grade and a DS going into second. I buy generally from Gap, Lands End, LL Kids, Childrens Place, Gymboree and Justice. Our public school has uniforms, so I try to buy things that I know will hold up very well. That seems to be Gap, Lands End and LL Kids. In general I guess I buy more expensive clothes, because I want them to last. My kids are not quick growers, at least as of yet, and we generally get two years worth of wear out of clothes. My 7 year old just cracked 50 lbs though his older brother and sister still have not. As a side note, all three of my children wear the same size.