Back to school shopping nearly killed me this year.
No, not the money spent, and not the time spent, as we seemed to be very efficient with both. We used lots of coupons, went online to pre-shop for ideas, and hit stores at good times. Honestly, it almost killed me by way of a broken heart. My heart breaks because I no longer know what most young girls like. At all.
Yes, I go online, I read magazines, I people watch, but every time I tried to suggest something for my almost 13-year-old daughter or my 15-year-old niece I found that I was off. Way off. Apparently teenage Stacy would not have thrived in 2013. And don't get me started with my nine-year-old daughter and her cousin of the same age. One loves pink, one hates it. One loves sparkles, one would rather die. Oh, holy chest pain.
My niece attends private school and has to wear a uniform. Therefore she looks for any way to add something unique to her solid color shirt and pants. She had sent me a few texts of shoes she found on Wanelo (again, had to get schooled on that app too) and when we went shopping we found these lovely ladies from Madden Girl.
So she could have some variety in her shoe wardrobe, we also bought these from Forever 21. Both worked because technically they are solid color and that is a uniform requirement. There was nothing in the rules about sparkles or studs.
Did I mention that my niece is also 5' 9"? Did you know (I didn't, but I don't think it's because I am uncool or anything, it's because I am short) that it is VERY hard to find long, uniform approved, dress pants that also meet the requirements of previously mentioned 15-year-old. They have to be skinny. They can't have open pockets (odd school rule). They can't be flared. They should be khaki or black. OK, if navy is all they have they can be worn on days when laundry is backed up. God forbid they have pleats or anything resembling a pleat. And if she tries them on and says "I look like a boy" then just forget it. Aeropostale Slim Fit Chinos in a 4 Long. If they get more in let me know.
Unlike my nieces, my girls go to public school, but they are equally as picky. My eighth grader had to have jeans that were skinny, yet able to be rolled up like this.
Again Aeropostale to the rescue. Since she is a wee 5' 3" (at the time
of this posting) the regular length works for her.
My girls and I always clean out dressers and closet before school shopping. It helps to pinpoint what they really need and it helps me display how much of their wardrobe they don't wear. I can usually select a few items from each closet and say "remember how bad you wanted this? You just HAD to have it." Have you worn it? Ever?" This year these words seemed to really sink in, because they were both rather selective with their final decisions. The oldest is even waiting on some new dress shoes like this...
They can't have stretch all the way around, because it bugs her. So, I have managed to get her to keep shopping until we find ones that won't "bug" her.
What about the nine-year-olds you ask? Yes, what about them. My niece wears a full on plaid jumper to school and she loves these shoes and this backpack. And I would proudly wear them both.
My youngest, who is also 9 and often called Punky Brewster, picked out this shirt from Justice for school, which I think I may have owned it's twin in the mid 80's. She also picked out these Adidas athletic shoes.
And she wore them together. Which I would proudly never do. All of the statements above are the reason why I rarely bring home anything without my kids seeing it first. Surprise clothes are never wedgie proof, and they usually rub some spot on your shoulder blade, or the side of your knee the wrong way. Surprise clothes often end up missing in the back of the closet or under your pajamas in the bottom drawer. And finally, surprise clothes are usually not cool, because Mom picked them out. And Mom is not cool.
