School is right around the corner. And if you live in a district that has a balanced calendar, it’s closer than you think! Our students head back in just a few short weeks, and I am preparing for all of my back to school shopping this weekend. I thought I would share my simple tips with you since this can be a very stressful task!
Catalogue their current wardrobe. I always pull out what my kids already have to wear before I even think about items to shop for. Their drawers are always full with “nothing to wear”, so this is a good time to also pull out those clothes that are out of season or too small. I take a quick picture of what they already have so I can reference it when I am in the store. This also keeps me on task. This year, my first grader wants/needs more shorts. Most of her shorts that she wore over the summer are now “outside” appropriate only. Here is a picture of what she currently has:
I always keep in mind that school starts in the middle of the summer, so most of what I will purchase will be appropriate for that weather. Also keep in mind if your child needs layers. My little lady is hot natured, so she rips any sweater or jacket off the moment she is inside. Therefore, I don’t worry about layers unless it’s cold outside.
Mix and Match. Anything I purchased, I was hoping to match with at least 3 other pieces in her wardrobe. Ultimately, my goal is 10 tops, 4-5 dresses, 10 bottoms, and 2-3 pairs of shoes with accessories (don’t forget the socks and underwear!!) If your budget allows, this is also a good time to purchase a pajama or two. I am off to a pretty good start!
Note: It you’re starting from scratch, it’s best to choose a color scheme and stick with those colors. Also, if your child is really choosy about their clothes, include them in the process. No one likes the fight over what to wear. If the pieces all coordinate, then even if you let them pick their outfit, there is very little chance of looking mismatched!
Shop for the “holes”. Since I didn’t have 3 items to go with the magenta skirt, and the black striped shirt, this year I was looking for 2 pairs of shorts: a light jean pair and a navy pair, two tops (casual and plain with a little “flair”), a couple comfortable jersey dresses, and maybe another neutral comfortable shoe (not pictured: 2 sneakers, black and salmon, and three sandals, magenta, silver, and navy).
*Bonus* IF you have time, and your child is old enough, take pictures of the possible outfits and put them in a book or poster that your child can reference when they are putting their outfits together. This takes all the guesswork and time into putting together an outfit early in the morning.
*Update* I went to the outlet stores where I found GREAT deals on summer staples. I ended up purchasing from Gap and OshKosh/Carters. I spent about $60 for 8 pieces: a pair of sandals, a jean vest, a dress, 3 pairs of shorts, 1 top, and 1 swimsuit (NOT on the list, but it was SOOO Cute!) I wasn’t able to find everything I was looking for, but I was able to make 24 outfits with what I had. Here they are:
(Not pictured: the dresses, romper and vest, which add a whole other dimension to this wardrobe!).
I wasn’t able to use two of the bottoms with 3 tops like I had hoped, and I am still on the lookout for a plain navy top. I’ll let you know what I find. Until then!
What simple staples are in your kids’ back to school wardrobes?