When shopping for fall clothing, we are always drawn to our three favorite colors for the season: olive, mustard and wine.
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Tennessee’s tax-free weekend ends today at 11:59 p.m. Head out to save 10 percent (or more) on clothing, school and art supplies that cost $100 or less and computers that cost $1,500 or less.Georgia is not having a sales tax holiday this year.
The dawn of a new school year requires restocking school supplies. But for some kids, the most important part of returning to school is making sure they look good walking through the door on the first day and each day thereafter.
The National Retail Federation says the average family with school-aged kids expects to spend $630 this year on school supplies – a large percentage of which will be spent on clothing.
Naturally, parents want their children to have clothing they’ll love and feel comfortable wearing, but do not want to break the bank buying wardrobes for their youngsters. Here are some strategies to ensure kids look good without Mom and Dad going broke.
> Invest in a few essential clothing items. Ask children what they are most interested in buying. One or two trendy shirts or an expensive pair of sneakers can be paired with seasonal pieces. The result is a trendy yet affordable look.
Don’t know what’s trendy right now? Use our style guide, modeled by UTC student Hailey Massey and curated by Mechelle Forgani of Off the Rack.
> Shop discount retailers. Stores like T.J.Maxx and Marshalls offer many brand-name items at a discount over department store prices. While these stores customarily stock items that may be a season or two out of date, they can help budget-conscious families nab some key clothing items at affordable prices.
Local stores to try: Gabe’s in Hixson, Once Upon a Child in East Brainerd, Kidz Planet in East Ridge, Kid to Kid in East Brainerd
> See if replicas will fit the bill. Girls may be enamored with an oversized, colorful hair accessory dubbed the JoJo Bow, popularized by celebrity Joelle Joni “JoJo” Siwa. The name-brand, authentic hair bows may be beyond some parents’ budgets, however there are plenty of bows that can achieve the same look at a fraction of the cost. Parents may also find more affordable alternatives to other trendy items.
> Choose a size larger. Children grow very fast, so it may be well worth the investment to purchase trendy items one size larger so kids can get more use out of the item. However, this likely won’t be possible with footwear.
> Share clothes. Savvy bargain-hunters can swap gently worn shoes or clothing with other families when kids outgrow items. Organize a clothing swap, or head to a consignment sale or retailers like Plato’s Closet to snag quality secondhand items from major labels for a fraction of the original cost.
Upcoming kids consignment sales: Rhea Lana’s, Aug. 11-16; The Boutique for a Week, Aug. 11-18; Sweet WeePeets, Sept. 1-7; Jack and Jill Kids Sale, Sept. 2-8; Just Between Friends, Sept. 16-22; Duck-Duck-Goose, Oct. 18-22
> Spread out purchases. To make purchasing easier on the wallet, grab items here and there throughout the year and put them toward school wardrobe essentials, rather than cramming in shopping right before the school year begins. This approach also helps families shop sales and maintain a variety of pieces that make it easier to transition kids’ wardrobes throughout the year.