The Do’s and Dont’s of school fashion
The lazy days of summer are rolling along, but if you are of school age, this is where you get off. It’s time to put away your grubby summer lounge apparel and pull out Daddy’s credit card. There is Back-to-School shopping to be done!
There are three key tips to successfully shopping for the school year:
1. ESSENTIALS FIRST. Keep it simple and buy those things that you know that you must have for the next nine months of your life. Try to buy mix and match to save time and wardrobe space. Buying full-on ensembles will burn through your budget and leave you with fewer options as the school year progresses. A true fashionista would buy as many separates as possible, getting as many wardrobe variations as possible with the least amount of money spent.
TIP WITHIN A TIP: Buy sensible shoes first. You need athletic shoes, a pair of blacks, and something to transition you into snowshoes!
2. SHOW OFF A LITTLE AT A TIME. Everyone wants to walk into school looking like the summer had been kind. You need to be hip and as tricked out as one of the senior’s pimped out imports. Once you have the essentials, buy two or three “dream” pieces, like that trendy jacket or brilliant dress, that can be worn alone or with some of the essentials to give you the look that you desire. The same can be said for shoes. Buy one pair of kicking shoes that define what you can do with your feet, but don’t blow the wad at the shoe store on late summer clearances.
Don’t blow the bank on the buying your dream wardrobe before taking care of the essentials. Start with a few pieces, and then add to it over the school year. New fabulous pieces can be added at Christmas, Easter, your birthday or when grandma kicks the bucket and leaves you her vintage rabbit-fur jacket!
3. SCHOOL SUPPLIES ARE MADE ALL YEAR LONG. Why waste your wardrobe money on pencils and paper? Of course, you must be prepared and you should buy some school supplies, but buy only what is necessary to get started. Notebooks, pens, folders and such are sold just about everywhere all year long!
Wait until you know exactly what you need for each class before shopping for those supplies. You can avoid waste and have more money for clothes!
Shopping for the Back-to-School season doesn’t have to be a drag if you know how to prioritize your shopping and you know what your budget is to start. Also, it should never be about shopping for a Drag Queen! Save the flash and glitter for those days when you have time to do it right and people actually care. Fashionistas know that comfort is key to surviving institutionalization!
Wishing you a very happy and educational Back-to-School!