Buying clothes for school can really add up. Uniform policies aim to cut back on some of those costs, but it can still get pretty pricey. Here are some tips to help you take the savings even further:
Buy things that will last.
If your child is going to be wearing uniforms for the rest of his/her academic career, then you don’t want to have to buy new clothes every year. That can add up very quickly. So, if you spend just a little extra money on clothes that will get more use, then you will save a great deal in the long run.
Don’t be afraid to buy secondhand.
You don’t have to be Macklemore to enjoy a thrift shop. It’s a mixed bag, but they carry a variety of clothes, some of which still have the original price tags on them. Often, you can walk out of the store with more bang for your buck. Besides, if you can find clothes for school and creepy clown figurines in the same spot, why would you shop anywhere else?
Buy dark colors.
Kids are messy. They’re going to spill stuff on their clothes. It happens. If you’re at a school that gives you a little choice in what your uniforms look like, opt for the darker colors. They will look nice longer and they are more likely to deal with whatever your kids can dish out.
Minimalism is key.
One of the great things about uniforms is that no one will notice that your daughter wore the same shirt three days in the same week or that your son only owns two pairs of pants. Buy only what you will need for a week or two, and throw them in the wash over the weekend.
Don’t plan to go shopping the week before class starts.
If you shop off-season, you can save a ton of money. Stores understand supply and demand, and they know that you will be willing to pay a little more when you absolutely need something. Try shopping at the beginning of summer. You will save money and you can use that extra day before school starts for one last beach excursion.
