Back to school 2011: saving money on fashion trends

Kids want to look good at school; parents surveyed by the National Retail Federation are committed to “spend where you need to, save where you can.” Here is how to meet both needs by saving money on back to school fashion. So what are this year’s fashion trends?

Tip: We post back to school deals at Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, and more every Thursday.

• Color-blocking– This trend is huge! You may have already seen someone giving it a try by wearing bold colors at the same time, above. If done right, it looks chic, but it can quickly go south. The trick is to stay within the color family. Try a bold pink dress with a bright red cardigan and black patent leather flats. The good thing about this trend is that your kids continue wearing most of his/her summer clothes saving you major moolah!
• Boho chic – I love nothing more than being comfortable and this style is carefree. Boho chic is about layering, which works well for the crisp fall and chilly winter months. Start with a summer dresses and add pieces like knit sweater, tights, faux fur vest, or a scarf to make it fall appropriate. Florals are no longer just for summer so don’t put those pieces away just yet. This style is not new so your kids may already have tights and flowy shirts.
• Mini-me look – You’ll be seeing a lot of boys wearing miniature versions of their father wardrobe like blazers and army jackets. This will most likely happen when they have to dress up, otherwise they’ll be dressing like the next trend.
• Skater boy – Skinny jeans, plaid shirts, and skater shoes, like Vans, are back with a vengeance. You’ll be seeing a lot of urban colors like acid green, blues and grey. For those of you who don’t like tight pants, this season they will share the spotlight with full silhouette pants and bell bottoms.

Now that you know what’s in, here are four tips to help you save money on these trends.

1. Do inventory – Go through your kids’ closet or your own and see what they have. If their clothes or shoes don’t fit them, set it aside for a sibling, clothing swap, donation, or garage sale. You can use the money you make to buy other items.
2. Shop in your closet – You’ll probably find your kid already has pieces you can make work for any of the above looks. Many fashion pieces, like skinny jeans, are returning and the simple T-shirt and jeans combo remains stylish. To breathe new life into clothes, add accessories. This will save you money by not having to build an entirely new wardrobe.
3. Only buy what you need – According to the National Retail Federation, the biggest trend this year is department store shopping. That’s because many stores are selling fashionably-forward labels like Madonna’s Material Girl and Lauren Conrad’s LC. And don’t forget that many of these stores are participating in tax free shopping days.
4. Splurge vs. Save – If your kid’s backpack is still in good condition wash it and reuse it to save money. Instead, splurge on a good jacket or warm shoes to get your kids through the winter.

How are you preparing for back to school?