5 Ways to Save on School Clothes This Fall

As summer draws to an end, many parents look fondly to school starting up again and getting the kids back on a schedule. While that might be exciting for you, the costs of back-to-school shopping might make you shudder. School supplies and new clothes can quickly add up. This is especially true if you have multiple kids and if they had big growth spurts over the summer. If you have teens or even college age kids, the costs can be even higher.  

It can be fun to let your kids pick their look and style, but new clothes can be pricey. Whether you have littles, teens, young adults, or are a teacher yourself, you can find ways to save. Better yet, you can save and still look great! Keep reading for tips to save on school clothes this fall. 

1. Factory Seconds

Some stores have options to buy factory seconds at a fraction of the price. What's a factory second? These are new items from the factory that have minor imperfections. The store will often sell the product online at a discounted price. The great thing is the clothing will have the same quality and brand name that you're used to. 

A little discoloration or error in the stitching might not even be that noticeable. A brand like 

Carhartt, for example, is one you know and trust for durability, but it can be pricey. You could find your teen a great jacket or flannel that's a discounted Carhartt. It will be the style and brand they want, with the quality you expect, at a much lower price. 

2. Off-Season Clothes

Shopping off-season is another great way to save on clothes. With younger kids it can be more of a challenge to buy off-season because they grow so fast. It's not impossible though. For instance, you have a few more warm months ahead of you with August and September. At the same time, summer clothes and swimsuits are starting to go on sale, with some stores already offering 50-60% off.

Snag the summer clothes sales in late August while stores are bringing out the fall line. Your kids can hopefully wear these items again in the spring too. Look for the seasonal sales and price cuts for big savings. Then, you can add in a few fall items that fit into your budget. For the rest of their fall clothes, wait until Labor Day sales or October when they are discounted. When winter rolls around, use the same strategy. Paying attention to the sales cycle can help you save money.

3. Online Discounts

Another option to save includes looking for great online deals with an extension like Honey. Extensions like these are free and integrate to your browser. They search for deals online and apply coupon codes for you automatically. Shopping on Amazon Prime days and looking up the deals of the day is another way to find big savings. 

When shopping on your other favorite sites and stores online, always look at the clearance tab first. It can be easier to shop for your style and size that way. It sorts the options for you, even showing lowest prices first. This way, you don't have to sort through the whole rack in the store. You can also sign up for the store's emails to be alerted to upcoming sales and deals.

4. Second Hand Stores

So far the tips shared have all been for purchasing new items. However, don't sleep on the value of second hand shopping. This can be especially lucrative the younger your kids are, though it works at all ages to some degree. With younger kids, you can find a lot by shopping at garage sales and thrift stores. Another great option is sharing hand-me-downs with friends and family. 

Why is this a great option for younger kids? Well preschool and early elementary kiddos grow so fast. They don't stay in one size very long, so you can find lots of items that are gently used. Some even still have tags on them! For older kids, check out thrift and second hand stores. You can make it a fun shopping experience by challenging them to find a certain number of items within a set budget. As with most tasks, making it a game can keep your kids engaged.  

Be Patient

You've survived summer with all its vacations and sleepy summer nights. You've refereed fights and found activities for bored kids. You've juggled schedules for childcare and sports activities. You've also made great memories with your family this summer. Shopping for school clothes and supplies can be stressful, but you can do it.

It doesn't even have to break the bank. Following the tips above can help you save while getting your kids all they need. And by saving in some areas like shirts or socks, you can free up the budget for a couple of wish list things. That could be a name brand pair of jeans, a pack of sparkly gel pens, or a pair of sweet shoes. Take a deep breath and make your list; you and the kids will have another great school year.