How to Buy Trendy Back-to-School Clothes on the Cheap

Slouchy, low-slung pants. Men's wear for girls. Floral patterns for fall. Ombre shades. These new trends for fall can cause anyone's head to spin, much less a parent who doesn't want to spend a lot of money on clothes their children will outgrow within a year or two. Plus, trends come and go. Here are some suggestions on how to select trendy back-to-school clothes without breaking the bank.

Instructions

1. Shop at department stores like Macy's during holidays like Labor Day weekend. Department stores usually have huge sales around this time, and if you're willing to brave the crowds and hunt through endless racks, you can find current trends in clothing for your children.

2. Consider designer-imitation stores like Forever 21, Wet Seal or H&M. The prices are very affordable, considering that trends go out of style and your children will grow out of the clothes.

3. Head to discount stores, like Century 21, that sell designer clothes at a discounted price. You'll have to hunt rack and bins and be open-minded with what you are looking for (in other words, don't come looking for one specific piece), but you can end up saving 40 to 75 percent off retail prices.

4. Browse the pages of eBay for great deals in clothing. While you can't have your child try it on, if you know the label and your child's size, you can find popular labels like Polo and Banana Republic at a greatly reduced price.

5. Talk to your child or teenager about choosing pieces that are statement pieces like a trench coat or slouchy pants that can be worn over and over again and with other pieces. These are a much better investment than say a graphic T-shirt that can only be worn with certain colors or jeans.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor which trends are appropriate for your child's age and school's dress code. For instance, the pencil skirt is in for fall, and looks best on teenagers, while the uber-trendy trench coat in hues like pink and purple can look great on tweens. Plaid shirt dresses can look great on any age.

• If you can, have your child try the clothes on before buying; even if there is a long wait at the fitting room, it is worth it to make sure the clothes fit properly.

• If shopping on eBay, check the seller's feedback to make sure they are legitimate. Avoid those with too many complaints.

Resources

• Macy's
• Forever 21
• eBay