Creating High Fashion Back to School Looks for Pennies on the Dollar

Back to school shopping is a stressful time for parents, particularly during times of economic turmoil. To make matters even more stressful kids' and teens' clothing is very expensive. Fortunately, I have found several ways you can outfit your kids and teens with a functional and fashionable wardrobe for less money that you might think. The key is to know what is in this season, how to effectively build a wardrobe and how to turn low cost pieces in fashion-forward outfits.

Tip #1 - Cruise the Internet for Fashion Ideas (Cost: Free)

Before I even start to shop I find out what styles and colors are in this season. While I can purchase fashion magazines, the goal of this article is to save money so I use the Internet for a free fashion source. As I find hints about what the fall fashion season will be like, I print out outfits that I like. These papers provide me with a guide for putting together looks.

Tip #2 - Establish a Good Foundation (Less Than $10 a Piece)

The next step is to establish the foundation of my fashion forward wardrobe. These pieces are not decorative, but solid color or simple pattern pieces. They will include camisoles, t-shirts, leggings and other similar layering pieces. I find great deals on these basic pieces at clearance sales, outlet stores and even second hand/thrift shops. I use my printouts to help me select the right colors, shapes and pieces.

Tip #3 - Build Outfits (Less Than $20 a Piece)

After I have my foundation pieces I am ready to start adding the quality items to my shopping cart. These items will include pants, skirts, blouses and shoes. The key to saving money here is to select items that work together and can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. For example, I can get a coordinated set of pants, skirt and blouse to create over a dozen different outfits when I mix and match them with my foundation items.

Tip #4 - Take Advantage of Store Loyalty Coupons (Save 15 to 25%)

Store loyalty programs can save you a lot of money when it comes to back to school shopping. To reap the most rewards from these programs sign up for them during the summer so you can earn points and establish your loyalty with the store. When it comes time for back to school sales I have found that I am offered special discounts, sales promotions and coupons that are not offered to the general public just for participating in the loyalty program.

Tip #5 - Wait for Clearance Sales (Save Up to 80% or More)

I have found that one of the best ways to save money on back to school shopping is to wait for the clearance sales. These sales usually begin after school starts. They can offer savings up to 80% in some cases, and they are great when shopping for high ticket items like coats, boots and designer fashions.

References

http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--fall-2011-fashion-trends-autumn-winter-2011-trends-5427.html