How to Save Money on Teen Clothes This Autumn & Winter
Collaborative post.
If there is one thing I have learnt from having teenagers, it is that keeping them in clothes can get expensive very quickly.
Not only do they seem to have an amazing ability to grow out of things almost overnight, but by the time they reach their teenage years, they usually have pretty firm opinions about what they will and won’t wear too.
In our house, comfort wins almost every time. Our Ethan practically lives in tracksuits, and I’ve long since accepted that buying clothes I think he might wear is usually a false economy. There is still a pair of brand new jeans hanging in the wardrobe that haven’t made it out the door yet!
These days, I would much rather spend our budget on a smaller number of things I know will actually get worn.
With autumn here and winter not far behind, this is also the time of year when clothing costs can start creeping up. Suddenly they need warmer layers, new trainers, coats and all the other bits that disappeared, were outgrown or somehow didn’t survive last winter.
So, if you’re trying to get your teen’s autumn and winter wardrobe sorted without spending a fortune, here are a few things I’ve learnt along the way.
Start With What They Already Have
Before buying anything, have a proper look through their wardrobe.
It sounds obvious, but it is surprisingly easy to forget what is hiding at the back of drawers, especially when clothes haven’t been worn since last winter.
Get your teen involved and work out what still fits, what they will genuinely wear and what needs replacing. There is little point buying another hoodie, for example, if they already have four perfectly good ones.
It also gives you a much clearer shopping list rather than heading into the shops or browsing online and buying things simply because they look like a bargain.
You may find that their style choices have changed too, especially if they are influenced by the latest trends.
Buy Clothes They Will Actually Wear
This has probably been the biggest lesson for me.
You can find something for an amazing price, but if your teenager never wears it, you haven’t really saved any money.
Ethan would happily spend most of his life in tracksuits, so comfortable everyday clothing is always going to get far more wear than something smarter that seemed like a good idea at the time.
For that reason, things such as kids tracksuits are the sort of wardrobe staples I would prioritise. They work for weekends, travelling, hanging out with friends and those days when comfort is the main requirement – which, let’s face it, is most days for many teenagers!
Cost per wear is something I think about much more now. I’d rather pay a little more for something that gets worn week after week than spend less on something that stays in the wardrobe.
Think in Outfits, Not Individual Items
Another way to avoid wasting money is to think about how everything works together.
When you’re shopping, ask yourself what your teen already owns that a new item can be worn with.
Neutral joggers, hoodies, T-shirts and trainers are particularly useful because they can usually be mixed and matched. It means you can create plenty of different combinations without needing a huge wardrobe.
Layering is useful during autumn too. A T-shirt, hoodie and lightweight jacket can cover everything from a surprisingly warm October afternoon to a freezing school run without having to buy completely different outfits for every change in the weather.
Make a List Before the Black Friday Sales
Black Friday can be a great opportunity to save money, but only if you go into it knowing what you actually need.
It’s very easy to get distracted by a big discount and end up buying something purely because it is reduced.
Instead, I like the idea of making a list beforehand. If you already know your teen needs new trainers, a tracksuit or some warmer clothes, you can check the Black Friday sales for those specific items rather than scrolling through hundreds of offers and being tempted by things you hadn’t planned to buy.
It is also worth knowing roughly what things cost before the sales begin. That way, you have a much better idea of whether the deal you’re looking at represents a worthwhile saving for your family.
Don’t Buy Too Far Ahead
Buying clothes in advance can save money, especially when you spot something heavily reduced, but teenagers make this a little risky!
Growth spurts have caught us out more than once.
If you’re buying something your teen won’t wear for several months, think carefully before sizing up and putting it away. Shoes and fitted clothing can be particularly difficult to predict.
For basics and looser-fitting items, buying ahead may work brilliantly. For anything where the fit really matters, I tend to be a little more cautious.
It is also a great way to stock up for Christmas or birthdays too when you spot something in the sale.
Spend More on the Things That Get the Most Wear
Not every item in a teenager’s wardrobe needs a big budget.
Basic T-shirts and tops can often be picked up relatively cheaply, leaving more of your budget for the pieces that are going to take the most punishment.
For us, that tends to be trainers, tracksuits, hoodies and coats.
It comes back to cost per wear again. Something worn three or four times a week is worth looking at differently from an outfit that might only come out once every couple of months.
Don’t Forget About Reselling
One of the advantages of teenagers growing so quickly is that sometimes clothes are outgrown long before they are worn out.
Rather than leaving them sitting in a wardrobe, consider selling anything that is still in good condition.
Even getting a few pounds back from several outgrown items can be put towards the next size up. Likewise, second-hand marketplaces can be worth checking when your teen needs something that they are likely to grow out of quickly.
Set a Budget Together
As children get older, clothing shopping can also be a good opportunity to involve them in budgeting.
Teenagers don’t always realise quite how quickly the cost of a few items can add up.
Giving them a budget and letting them decide what matters most can make the whole process easier. If they really want a particular pair of trainers, for example, they might decide they would rather spend less elsewhere.
It gives them some control over what they wear while also helping them understand that the budget isn’t unlimited.
A Little Planning Can Make a Big Difference
Clothing teenagers is probably never going to be cheap, particularly when they seem determined to keep growing!
For us, the biggest difference has been becoming much more realistic about what our children actually wear rather than what we imagine they might wear.
Planning ahead, checking what they already own and making a list before seasonal sales means we can concentrate our budget on the things that will genuinely get used.
And if your teenager is anything like ours, there is a very good chance that a comfortable tracksuit will end up being one of the hardest-working things in their wardrobe.
