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I blinked and Kindergarten was over, which is proof that the time with my kids is way too short. We’re winding down the end of the summer with last minute adventures and as much R&R as possible while I mentally prepare for the coming school year. Shopping is always an exciting part of our preparations and something my son actually looks forward to. With a straightforward school list and a little boy who isn’t particular (yet) about his style of dress, shopping is typically seamless and enjoyable.
Last week, one of my favorite fashion/lifestyle bloggers (and friend) Nicole Feliciano hosted an informative back-to-school-focused Google+ hangout. I like to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and who better to glean advice from than Nicole, who founded the popular blog MomTrends? It isn’t surprising that this is one of the most expensive seasons of the year, but I had no idea that families spend nearly $700 on school-related items (Source: National Retail Federation). That statistic is for children in grade school and I can’t even imagine how much that number increases for families with high school or college-bound kids.
As you can imagine, clothing, shoes, and accessories comprise a large part of the budget which is why I appreciated Nicole’s smart, savvy, budget-conscious tips:
1. Before investing in a new wardrobe, clear out the closet and sort clothing into 3 piles: Keep (items that fit and are still on-trend), Store (items that can be kept for younger siblings), and Give Away (items that no longer fit, are heavily worn, or out of style).
2. Plan ahead by researching your child’s favorite brands to find the lowest prices, set and agree on a budget before heading into the store (and then stick with it), and put together “inspirational outfits” online to review so there is agreement on what’s appropriate before shopping.
3. Don’t buy everything on the first shopping trip. Reserving some of your budget for the first month of school will allow your child the opportunity to pick up a few items that match the trends they are seeing with their friends. Before school begins, focus on getting the basics and a few stylish outfits to begin the new year.
4. Shop your child’s closet and identify those summer items that can be incorporated into a Fall/Winter wardrobe. Take a photo and pick up items and accessories that can be paired together.
5. Opt for complimentary colors (i.e. navy, gray and orange for boys) and classic silhouettes that can be easily mixed and matched to create multiple looks. Nicole recommends bootcut jeans, oxford shirts, and graphic tees.
A couple of weeks ago, we got a head start on my son’s back to school wardrobe and found some amazing deals on Wrangler Jeans and graphic tees at our local Walmart. Even this early in the season I was seeing some of the trends Nicole was talking about including character-driven clothing and accessories, colored denim, layered looks, and 80’s-inspired fashions and accessories.
You can view all of Nicole’s back-to-school tips in this video:
Be sure to shop early in the season to find the best variety of styles and sizes.
Images: Walmart
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