<p>My mom and I were shopping today and stepped into Gap just to get some inspiration. Usually the clothes there are very expensive. However, today they were selling khaki shorts in various colors for $20 as well as jeans for about $30. But the best part was the clearance rack. It was mostly pants, which was great considering pants are usually the most expensive. They were already marked to about $16, and then the store took 50% off of that. Just note that the widest selection were in the smallest and largest sizes. It was a great deal, and I know Gap stuff lasts forever. </p>
<p>Hope that helped. Don’t just automatically write off a stuff based off of its retail prices. Check the sales.</p>
<p>Another plug for used (and one outlet): At Plato’s Closet this summer, I’ve picked up barely used khakis from Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie, and J. Crew–for less than $20 total. And a pair from a lands end outlet for $5–they’re having a major clearance right now. </p>
<p>And I find Ann Taylor and Gap clothing, often with tags still on, all the time at Goodwills in affluent towns. I like shopping at Goodwill because it’s green (recycled clothing!); they often employ otherwise unemployable people; prices are one-tenth of what you’ll spend on average in a retail store; and if I buy something on impulse that I end up barely wearing, I can always donate it back and know that my money went to a good cause in the first place.</p>
<p>I recommend getting skirts - you can wear with a t-shirt for a more casual look for class, or with a dressy top for a more formal look. Also, as it get cold, just add tights and boots and you are good to go.</p>
<p>Another trick my daughter used to get popular designer dresses was to shop on e-bay. Often, formal dresses are worn only once or twice, so there is a lot of choice and the dresses are in great shape.</p>
<p>At my daughter’s school, there was a lot of sharing of clothes. My daughter even bought a dress with another girl and they both wore it. </p>
<p>I would wait and save some of the budget for after school starts when you can see what others are wearing, to see what works for other girls, and develop a look that works for you.</p>
<p>J-Crew is having an additional 30% off sale prices, and Ann Taylor is having 50% off sale. That being said, don’t buy ugly clothes just because of the brand! I don’t go to boarding school, but I’m applying for the 2012 year and I have already started getting clothes because I know that if I wait until the summer before boarding school starts, I won’t be able to get enough to last me for the year. Since I’ve started early, I can build up a collection of clothing that works for boarding school.</p>
<p>I agree with the don’t buy just because the name- I’d change it to price though. I don’t know if its just me but an Okay-looking shirt seems way cuter when its like 80% off. Also like Saks’s has good sales every once in a while- I stay away though because I find it appealing to find a $200 shirt for $20 and I can’t help but feel like it’d be a crime to NOT take advantage of the sale(; Thanks for the JCrew/Ann Taylor sale ballerina22!</p>
<p>No problem! Also, another exiting find - Tommy Hilfiger is having an additional 30% off sale, plus you get 20% off your order if you spend more than $125 - the code is THJULY20. If you spend less then $125, you get 15% off - SBTHJuly15. And finally, if you spend $250 or more, you save 25% - SBTHJULY25. I found all these coupon codes at retailmenot.com - I always check there for coupon codes before buying something online!</p>
<p>LaurKey - I know exactly what you mean If I find a shirt, even if it’s not the most gorgeous thing in the world, I’ll still want to buy it if I know I’m saving tons of money!</p>
<p>Also check out Kohls. Today my mom and I went shopping and bought about 14 dress shirts and polos and about 6 dress shorts for like $175. We only bought clothes that were on sale and used a 30% off coupon at checkout. The clothes that we bought are really nice even though they were cheap. You just have to look out for sales and take advantage of clearance racks.</p>
<p>I know I sound like I’m some sort of spokesperson for Lands End Canvas, but they have a massive sales going on right now. Up to 50% off. I picked up a white oxford for my daughter last night for $14.99…she has some of their stuff already and the quality is totally fine. Not too much in terms of pants, but some cute dresses and skirts are also available…</p>
<p>This year, though he went to school with jackets, my son bought a rain jacket with the school’s logo on it, and one or two team jackets–and those, a fleece and a blazer are all he’s finding he needs. He handed all his other jackets down to his little brother as he likes wearing the stuff with the school/sports team logos. Waiting until you get there might be the best plan.</p>
<p>Well, may I recommend Forever 21? I love that store and I feel like everything’s cheaper than it is in other stores.
You probably already know this, but don’t feel pressured to get preppy brands. When you’re in the school, no one cares. Plus, Forever 21 has really cute clothes, even though it’s not Prada.
Charlotte Russe and Kohls are pretty and cheap too. Oh, and I love urbanoutfitters, but that’s a bit more expensive. You know this too, but only buy stuff from the sale section on any website.
Try to get varities of tank tops, cardigans, and skirts. You can switch just a few up into lots of different outfits. I find that casual dresses save money too - you don’t have to buy separate pants and a shirt. And buy a pretty necklace or a scarf that can go with many outfits, because you could put that over a nicer T-shirt and it could probably pass.
Pacsun is nice too, clothes can get really cheap in the sale section. If you order from there, sign up for the email thing and say your birthday’s tomorrow. It’ll give you 10% off your purchase for signing up, and for your birthday, another 20% or something. Mwahhaha. </p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, I end up babbling on stuff a lot… >:(</p>
<p>re coats: No, he never got cold–and Exeter’s winter was long, snowy and cold last year. In fact, he has a puffy winter coat that he brought home at Christmas because he said it took up too much room and he never needed it–he just wasn’t outside that much in the winter. Basically you just need to get between buildings and the occasional snowball fight. Layering is the key–a fleece under a good shell will get you through. </p>
<p>He did use his Smartwool socks and wool hat all the time–even in the spring when he was on the water–you can’t really go wrong buying stuff that keeps your feet and head warm. </p>
<p>At any rate, even if you do end up wanting a winter coat, you won’t need it before Thanksgiving. It makes sense to hang out at school for a while before you buy to figure out what you need.</p>
<p>My d goes to a school with formal dress, DA, and I found the majority of her suits, skirts, shirts and sweaters at resale shops. I seriously shopped last spring and summer at resale shops located in the best areas of Chicago. I even went to garage sales in the upscale neighborhoods.</p>
<p>To my surprise we found almost everything she needed (other than underwear and shoes). Many things were dirt cheap. We found $400 suits in her size for $15 bucks. Many of the clothes were new with price tags on them or just in great shape, lots with cleaning tags. </p>
<p>Now it is a lot of work, but well worth it for us. I spent about $500 and got about a $5,000 wardrobe. (On holidays there is an additional discount).</p>
<p>This year all my d asked for was a couple of sweaters, she is the ultimate preppy . Granted most of the clothes need to be dry cleaned but we get the laundry service.</p>
<p>Visit TJMaxx NOW: they’re having blowout sales on tons of cheap, high quality sweaters! Winter’s ending, so they have to get rid of all of it…I bought a blue/white striped Design History sweater and I love it. So much.</p>
If I find a shirt, even if it’s not the most gorgeous thing in the world, I’ll still want to buy it if I know I’m saving tons of money!</p>