Back to School Shopping: How to Dress the Whole Family on a Budget

The prime time to replace and replenish the children’s wardrobes is before the start of school. With school taking up most of the day and week, children require a variety of appropriate clothing. These clothes need to be fashionable enough they do not get teased, but inexpensive enough not to break the family clothing budget.

When children need everything from socks and shoes to shirts, skirts and slacks, that budget can get stretched pretty tight, especially in a family with several children. While it may not be easy, there are ways to dress the whole family on a budget.

The first tip is to look for sales. There is usually little need to pay full price for clothing. Especially before the start of school, sales abound at every clothing outlet and department store. While it is a relief to find a sale that gives you a percentage off the original price, know that all sales are not alike.

Some stores offer school sales early in August, only to offer even larger sales later in the month. Don’t be too quick to grab up a sale. Ask about future sales and be patient. Also, go online and check prices at the different stores where you shop. This allows you to get the best possible deal. Don’t forget to check out the Bellfield clothing for sale, where sales offer substantial savings.

While saving on cost is important, the quality for the price is also important. Paying next-to-nothing for a blouse will not be a good buy if the seams are crooked, the buttons pop off and the blouse falls apart after a few wearings. When buying clothes, make sure seams are straight and stitched without gaps, pulls or skips. Make sure buckles, buttons and tabs are sewn on correctly and will not fall off easily. Make sure the fabric is sturdy and will not easily stretch or rip. This is so important in children’s garments. Make sure to balance quality with cost. Sometimes a garment that costs a little more, will last a whole lot more because of the quality.