Should Kids Get a New Wardrobe Every School Year?

I take my kids clothes shopping every August, as well as buy them clothes throughout the year. They are growing children, but also clothes just don't hold up like they used to. The running shoes my girls have gone through is ridiculous, and snowboots. There is just no good quality clothing anymore. I can't get a backpack to last a whole year, or the zipper on a coat. I have no choice to be continually buying clothes for my kids. My eldest is going into a Catholic high school this year. Though we had to spend over $300 on a uniform, we are hoping it will last her 4 years and we won't have to be buying her clothes next August (though I'm pretty sure she'll need new pants). It makes me angry that the cost of living goes up, the cost of clothing goes up, the taxes on those items go up, the schools don't have money so we also have to buy school supplies for our children, yet our my husband's pay does not go up enough to meet those demands. So he takes money out of retirement savings funds, gets taxed on what he takes out, and then gets taxed again when he does his tax return because it is considered income. Sorry for my rant. Yeah, shopping can be fun. It can also be exhausting both physically and financially.

My kid is certainly not going to get a whole new wardrobe every year even if his old clothes still fit and look nice! I can't imagine buying clothes for school every year unless it's absolutely necessary! Kids are expensive enough as it is! =p I think I would probably purchase a new item or two just so he feels like he has something new each year, and not bother with a whole new wardrobe unless he absolutely needs it. Granted, my son isn't even in school yet, so I'm saying what I plan to do and not what I have done.

i don't think it's a necessity to buy kids new wardrobes whenever a new school year starts for them. by buying them new clothes every start of the school year, they won't be able to see the value of money much. they will just think that it is needed all the time. if the old clothes will still fit them and are still in good condition, then let those clothes be used by the kids. through this, kids will learn how to save money and value old stuffs who are still useful for them. anne

I always buy a few new items for back to school... but it's mostly shoes (since they tend to use "last year's" gym shoes throughout the summer - they don't get used much during the school year, never outdoors, and are almost like new when the year ends!) and jeans. For example, last summer vacation, I got a fabulous deal on jeans for my younger daughter. Bought her about 4 or 5 pairs and she wore them all year. Is still wearing them, actually, but they are looking a bit short as she's grown some. So, several of those pairs will get replaced for this school year. I might buy a couple of new tops, just so they feel nice to start back, but we really do focus mainly on the necessities. It's expensive enough to fill the lengthy school supplies lists the school sends home, along with the bills that hit for school fees and such right at the same time.

I used to buy into this theory of "school shopping" because many families do it and my girls expected it. I finally just stopped that tradition. I could not afford to go out and buy an entire wardrobe and school supplies for each girl. Often times school would begin and low and behold...they found different fashions they wanted ....the school supplies we bought were not all what was needed. I keep a desk full of supplies that I replenish as needed year round. Clothing: I buy it as needed. I will buy my girl one New outfit to start with but by buying her clothes a little at a time she really does not need a lot. It works better with our budget and she is always well dressed.

Yes, kids should have new clothes to wear. Not a complete new lok you could keep a shirt or two and some pants or something, but they do need some new shirts and shoes and stuff. If your in laws enjoy buying them new things, then who are you to stop the gravy train, and rain on their parade.

I don't have any kids just yet...but I used to be one and every year, I got a new wardrobe for school..I think its a good idea because children grow quickly and they get too big for clothes each year..when I do have kids I plan to make sure they have a fresh wardrobe each school year..there are a few pieces that can be kept, but most of it will be new

I tend to buy clothes throughout the year as needed, because you never know what you will find later in the year, and it's hard to buy for one season while in another. I buy a lot of clothes, but not all at once.

Once a year I buy my kids a whole new wardrobe. Or sometimes throughout the year. I know some things will still fit after a year, but some probably wont and then you have some that might be stained up or just has a lot of wear and tear. So I think buying kids a new wardrobe once a year might be a good thing. But if not, then so be it. I don't think it's a must. It all depends on what the kids have at that point and if the parents can afford it or not.

No, my 14 year od daughter certainly does not get new school cvlothes every year. She only gets new school clothes if she has outgrown hers, or they are too worn. The first year of high school was expensive, but this year was much cheaper. They have come out with a new school shirt with the logo on it. I have said I will buy her one when the weather getys warmer. She reused as many folders & books as possible this year. I do buy new colour pencils.

Hi there helpingmomsathome, Welcome to myLot! I have to buy new school clothes yearly for my granddaughter. She grows like a weed and she wears a school uniform. To me buying the clothing is necessary for the reason I stated, she grows so fast. I don't buy lots of new regular clothing all time if her regular clothes fit. I find that I have to buy her jeans mostly, her pants get short very quickly. She can wear her tops for a longer period of time though. Nice question, take care...

My son gets clothes periodically throughout the year. I will buy him a couple of new tshirts and shorts for school, but I don't go out and spend a bundle on clothes just for the new school year. I think that as long as his clothes still fit and look nice there is really no reason to buy a whole new wardrobe.

I don't think it's necessary for a child to change a new wardrobe every year. The children always grow up fast, so the clothes will not suit them any more after some time. So you can give the children's old clothes to someone who are in need. Then you can put the new clothes inside the wardrobe. Buying a new wardrobe every year is a waste.

Hi!Well kids do need new clothes more often, for their wear&tear is more & they outgrow them fast.During the year, I buy them when necessary or for some functions & festivals, but every school-year starts with new UNIFORMS & some new collections. It is nothing but natural to feel good with everything NEW at the start of the year,as well as the child will not feel low seeing other children wearing new ones.One also gets bored wearing the same ones over a period of time.So the best way is to keep your child happy. GOD BLESS!! www.creatingcolourfulfuture.com

I tried to buy new clothes, just an outfit or two, for school. Where we live it could be summer season closeouts, because the weather stays hot through September at least. Then, more new clothes at birthday time, around Thanksgiving, More for Christmas, and a few things along all the time. My kids were growing constantly, and if I were to have bought a whole new wardrobe, by the end of September I would have had to do it all over again. I would like to be able to buy my grandkids a new outfit for back to school.

For now, it's necessary for me, because they are still growing. My daughter just gonna start 1st grade next year. Even right now most of her outfit from last year already getting too small for her. So, it hand down to her sister.

Well it really depends. It depends if they usually have a big wardrobe, and most important, it depends on how much you are willing to spend, if you are going to be spending a lot for them, you should get rid of as much of their old clothes that they don't wear as possible. If they like most of them, pick out the ones that they are getting to big for. If they haven't grown a lot, but they still want to keep most of their clothes and but more, but the necessary minimum. Don't listen to me though, do what you think is best.