If your children seem to outgrow clothing overnight, it can be difficult to keep up with their need for properly fitting outfits for school. The clothing budget can really get stretched if you’re not careful, particularly as your kids get older and start to pay more attention to their personal style. The following are a few tips to keep in mind to keep your children looking their best for school without going bankrupt in the process!
Check Uniform Requirements
Many schools have quite specific requirements when it comes to school uniforms, particularly for P.E. class. Ask for a copy of current policies to be sure that you aren’t wasting any money on clothing that won’t be wearable at school.
Don’t Spend Too Much on Basics
When it comes to uniforms and casual basics, you probably don’t want to splash out on designer brands. These basics will need to be replaced at a rapid rate, as your child grows. You can find great bargains on the high street to meet school uniform requirements, and spend more money on accessories like jackets and shoes.
Space your Purchases
A common mistake that many families make is to purchase all of the clothing for the year right before the new school year begins. This can be a hefty strain on the wallet, to begin with. There’s also really no need to purchase a winter coast in the summer, when your child most likely won’t be using it for a few months. By the time winter rolls around, the coat you purchased may not even fit anymore. It’s best to space out your purchases, taking sales and promotions into account so that you can make the most of each season’s garments.
Label Clothes
If your child’s clothes go missing, it’s unlikely that they’ll be returned in a timely manner. Affixing name labels for clothes on all articles of clothing can prevent any mix-ups in the schoolyard. This can particularly be a problem if your child goes to a school that requires uniforms, because there will most likely be several blazers or jumpers of the same brand and size. Invest in a pack of mynametags name labels so that the school can help track down any missing articles of clothing.
Hunt for Bargains
A good time to buy is actually right after peak season. Rather than purchasing your clothes right before school begins, instead comb the sales at the beginning of autumn. End-of-season sales can yield some great discounts on popular clothing brands. Shopping online can also give you some discounts, particularly if you are a new customer. Follow your favourite brands on Facebook or Twitter to get alerts when new sales or discounts are available.
Finally, don’t assume that clothing left over from last year will no longer fit. Your child may have outgrown his trousers yet still have polo shirts that fit just fine. Always try on last year’s outfits before you go shopping, so that you know exactly what you need and can budget for it.
