First Time School Clothes Shopping?

Updated on July 31, 2012
C.S. asks from Crescent City, CA
15 answers

I have to send my kids to public school this year and I am lost as to what is really needed in terms of school clothes these days. I have a 2nd grader and a Kinder. I have had them scrap by with what they got for the summer and they are outgrowing ruining all there clothes...so its time to restock anyway.

Aside from the essentials (Jeans, tshirts, undies)...what do you get your kids in terms of school clothes? One outfit? two? five? They don't ezactly need an entire new whordrobe do they?

How much do you normally budget for school clothes?

Note: we live in a mild climate, so "seasonal" clothes aren't really an issue here.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My GD goes to public school, but they are required to wear uniforms.

I think if you have enough that they can mix and match for a week so like 5 - 6 pair of pants and 7 or 8 tops/shirts should be more than sufficient.

3 moms found this helpful

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

This is what our target will be (we do laundry every other day+):
five pairs of pants, one set aside for 'nice' (dark cords or jeans for that)
Five long sleeve shirts +one button-down set aside for 'nice' (when I say "nice", think school concerts, etc.)
Five tees-- one button down, "nice" again
Five pair of socks
six underpants
Two sweaters
Two sweatshirts/hoodies
Warm coat for winter
cap for sun, hat for winter
Raincoat, rain pants, rain boots (we live in Pacific NW, and he'll walk to school).
Tennis shoes/sneaker-type shoes

I usually shop resale, sometimes the Goodwill, and clearance at our favorite stores (like Hanna Andersson--the clothes wear well), plus we sometimes have hand-me-downs. I couldn't give you an exact budget, because we look all the time for this stuff when we're at resale shops--and just put the too-bigs aside for later--, so I'd say around $200, maybe?

3 moms found this helpful

M..

answers from Detroit on

Basically anything comfortable, and maybe a few nice outfits they can wear on non gym days.
But really, I buy them stuff throughout the school year too, usually from the clearance rack.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Just make sure that what you get can mix and match. My mom used to take us shopping and we got 5 botoms (jeans, slacks, skirts or whatever but only 5 total) and then a bunch of tops that could be layered or worn alone. so tshirts, button down shirts, polo's and sweaters and they could all mix and match. so even thought it was not a huge amount of clothing it made a lot of different outfits. gym shoes and regular shoes, a good warm coat and a lighter weight jacket.

1 mom found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Unless they need uniforms school is no different than home. Just keep doing/buying what you have in the past.
The only difference may be footwear. Flip flops and clogs really aren't safe on the playground. Just make sure they have a sturdy pair of shoes and they will be good to go!

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I plan to make sure my son has 5 pair blue jeans, one pair chords, one snow jacket/pants etc, 10 shirts, 3 sweaters, 5 longsleeve shirts as well as underwear, socks, new shoes, try to have a pair of slip on (loafer style) and velcro in addition he will have snow boots in the winter. We may get more - we may have stuff that still fits we may not. Grandma often buys the kids their snow gear - there's 8 of them but many opportunities for hand me downs. I plan to spend 300 in total (including snow season needs) - I hope to spend less. Not sure on the supplies for this year yet, but we already have his backpack and I need to decide if I am going to pack or buy lunch!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

I get about 8 new outfits for each child and I normally spend about $300 for each child. We usally shop at Khols and try to get most of the sales. We also usually get leggings,short's,skirts,hoodies,t-shirts,jackets,sandals,and tennis shoes. I hope this helped and can you please anwser my question

1 mom found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have boys so don't really get them much of anyhing. In the beginning they just wear all of their summer clothes. Once it gets colder I take them for wind pants and maybe some long sleeve tops. If I had a girl I would definitey do back to school though. I do take my boys for a token "school shop" just because I remember loving that. Just buy them maybe a shirt or two.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

i always had 3 outfits (but items that could be changed out easily) and then 3 more jeans and 4 more shirts n a bunch of socks and undies and a new pair of shoes

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I pretty much just buy them jeans, socks, underwear, long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts. Their down jackets still fit them. My kids are the same grades as yours (K and 2nd). We get all seasons though so I have to restock the warmer stuff.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Spokane on

i get my daughter 4 new pairs of pants and 4 pairs of shorts 8 shirts then a few dresses if i can find ones i like. then i get her a couple pairs of shoes. socks and under pants if needed. i get everything a size bigger then what she needs as long as its not too big on her. i may buy a lot but it last her for the whole year. this year i will have to get heavier winter clothes since we moved to eastern washington.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

I've found that layering works great. Children's Place has cool t-shirts, then the basic long sleve T to go under it. Even though they are in CA, you can wear the long sleve under shirt on the chillier days and just the t on warmer days.

My daughter went through her shoes really quickly, I found. They are pretty hard on them on the playground and I guess I never noticed at home b/c we wear the same grungy "park shoes" when we go to the park.

Plus, I usually buy a special outfit of their picking for the first day.

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

My eldest is the only one so far that has needed them and last year was her 1st year to not be in uniform (woo-hoo!). She had a TON of clothes already, but we got her a couple of pairs of jeans, some new tops on sale at Aero, a new pair of converse and maybe a few other things. I really don't school shop until about mid-Oct. b/c that's when it starts to get chilly around here. She has plenty of summer clothes. Winter is when to buy in Tx.!

1 mom found this helpful

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have a very limited income so have to be creative at shopping. My guy is starting preschool, I've been buying items on sale at the end of the season from Crazy 8, clearanced items and using a extra 20% off coupon code. I bought hoodies, a thermal and flannel shirt, some long-sleeved shirts, underwear and long pants in January and put them away, just took them out last night. I just purchased t-shirts, shirts and shorts a few days ago from them as well, they should be delivered tomorrow. He still has summer t-shirts and shorts to start the year out, will go into his new warmer clothing for the cooler months, then have the new t-shirts and shorts I bought in a size larger for next spring and summer. He has enough to mix and match for over 2 weeks worth of outfits, I spent about $100 for the items I designated for school, at a savings of about 70%. We're in SoCal but i still plan to purchase a warm, rainproof jacket at some point, hopefully on a good sale.

That said, I would try to have enough pieces to mix and match outfits for at least 10 days, that way if you can't do laundry for awhile (can you tell our washer gave out for a time?) you're still set. Coordinate say 10 tops with several colors in them with at least 5 solid bottoms, (which should hopefully be able to be worn twice) jeans, leggings, or skirts/skorts, so you have several options with the pieces you have. That way it will expand their wardrobes without breaking the bank.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.H.

answers from San Diego on

I'm in SD. Because my daughter is going into K, and a school that emphasizes creativity, outdoor... mess, I allot $200 and do Old Navy or kids shops and focus on the sales. The $200 doesn't include shoes because I don't mind spending on sturdy sandals.

We do a couple hoodies, shorts, skirts, leggings and t's. Rarely wear socks: )

1 mom found this helpful
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