Beech Tree News Network

Back-to-school activities are in full swing. Parents are thinking about school supplies and necessary clothes for the school year. For years, I helped my children shop before returning to school, but now they’re adults. The school calendar no longer affects my personal shopping. In recent years, I shop for clothing only when I need an item or want a change.

Wondering how others shop for clothing, I asked friends and family (including teachers, parents, and students): “Back-to-school shopping has begun. When do you shop for your clothes, and where do you usually find them?” Their responses varied and are listed below.

-I shop when I find clothes on sale in my size. I wear them until they die.

-This year, since I’m working, Mom bought me three or four outfits from boutiques while I spent my summer paychecks at thrift stores/secondhand shops.

-In general, I shop Chico’s, Lands’ End, Merle Norman, and Soft Surroundings. My favorite shopping is in odd shops when traveling as it’s different than what you find around home.

-Online, but mostly I buy my clothes at consignment stores.

-I usually shop for all our clothes online, at Macy’s for the most part, but I don’t buy clothes for school. I buy for my family there, too. Macy’s has good sales, and I use my rewards and discount cards. I have also bought a few things from Walmart.

-Thankfully my mom takes my kids! They usually go to Opry Mills and make a whole day of it.

-My daughter-in-law orders online from Old Navy for herself, my son, and my grandson. The timeframe is usually when my grandson needs jeans. I will probably shop when it gets cool – September or October.

-My grandkids like Bealls and Ross. Sometimes we go to a mall. Sometimes we pick up things through the summer so it’s not so expensive all at once. My oldest granddaughter likes to go to Goodwill. She loves to go to thrift stores and antique stores. She likes good finds – deals, she calls them!

-My girls shop on their own now! Woohoo! One did her back-to-school shopping last week. She shopped mostly online, but she also shopped at a few boutiques here in Bowling Green. She and a friend also went to Nashville.

-I usually shop for my clothes on Black Friday or just before I travel. If going on a trip, I sometimes find that I need a particular article of clothing so I get that. For example, I needed a light rain jacket for my trip to Scotland.

-All the time. Usually at Goodwill, TJ Maxx, or Plato’s Closet. 

-I try not to shop for clothes, but when required I generally shop clearance at Macy’s, Kohl’s, etc., I have gotten a couple of tops from Amazon. Considering that my mom is the queen of clearance shopping, you would think I’d be better. Apparently, it skipped a generation.

-I hate shopping for clothes! So I usually shop online. I buy from SHEIN, Amazon, Old Navy, Cato, and Walmart.

-I usually start early summer! I like to spread it out so I am not spending so much at once. I like to shop online more than in stores, I seem to find better deals, and I don’t like the crowds!

-As a teacher, I shop all year long, wherever the sales are (SHEIN, Target, used)!  As a parent, I usually start at the start of summer, so I can make sure my son has enough of everything before school starts back.  Usually AE, Aeropostale, or Old Navy and Shoe Carnival.

-I just shop all year long.

-Mostly Target for me and my kiddos.

-For my kids it’s a little easier. They wear a school uniform. Stores usually put those clothes on sale mid-July, and we typically buy them then. Usually the best deals are at Old Navy or Kohl’s for their sizes and for the uniform clothing (khakis and polos). 

-I am a teacher with a son in elementary school, and I usually shop for school clothes around the beginning of July, after the 4th. I shop several places for myself and my son including Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Maurice’s, and Belk. Additionally, I enjoy shopping at Opry Mills during the tax free weekend where I can find several deals on name brand clothing such as Columbia, Gap, Nike, and Vera Bradley. We have found that Vera Bradley’s drawstring backpacks (for girls) stay durable for many years. My niece was able to go all through middle school with the same drawstring backpack and will now get a new one to get her through high school.

-As a teacher, my shopping consists of classroom supplies, from Amazon mostly, making sure everything is restocked and updated. I like to get a new outfit or two for the first week and always a replacement pair of shoes – of one kind or another. This year, it’s black sandal heels! I shop for clothes and shoes at consignment stores, TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, and Dillard’s.

Victoria Moran said, “Recreational shopping is the shortest distance between two points: you and broke.” And in today’s economy, she could be right. However, whether school shopping or just shopping, most people with whom I spoke seem to shop for clothing based on need, even during the back-to-school sales.