By Stacy London
(ARA) - Back to school
season? Chances are you're down at the mall bargaining with your teenager over
what not to wear -- and more importantly what not to spend.
Finding the right balance between what your kids want right now, what you think
they should be wearing for school and what you're able to spend is a real
headache. But it shouldn't be that hard. Some simple steps can help you find --
and care for -- cool clothes for your kids that won't fade faster than this
season's hot trend.
Make bargains to buy bargains
It's all about setting expectations before you even set out shopping. Tell your
daughter or son your back-to-school budget to help them understand there is a
limit to what you can afford to buy, but promise one or two nicer items as well
as the bargain buys. Once you're at the mall, make sure to buy bargains first
and cover the basics so you can determine how much cash you have left to
splurge. Save the trip to their favorite store as a treat at the end of your
trip -- and keep your fingers crossed -- you should be tantrum- and sulk-free.
Do your homework: know what's hot, not over the top
So your 13-year-old wants her bellybutton pierced and a top that shows it off?
She's planning to wear low-rise for school. Horror. You need some answers, some
advice and a quick plan. Doing a little homework is going to help. Get online.
Google your way through teen world. Steal her magazines and LEARN. There are
tamer trends that will keep your kids looking great to their friends and in your
eyes too.
This fall preppy is back, but with a twist. And it could be the answer you're
looking for. Conservative, covered up but cute. L.L. Bean slip-on boots,
tight-fit polos, button-downs, plaid shirts, skirts and blazers are in, but
tighter, cropped and form-fitting. And in every color. If your daughter is still
wanting the Christina look belly-tops and low-rise jeans, tell her that's old
news.
Learn your labels
Your kids care about labels, but it's the care label that's most important. This
will tell you what a shirt, skirt or sweater is worth in the long run. Designer
label discounts are great to find, but generally the more expensive the brand
name, the more care -- and effort from you -- they're going to need. So when
you're in the store, read the labels. If it's an everyday or every week school
item, dry-cleaning is a no go and anything that needs to be hand washed or
washed separately could be a lot of work. In the effort to keep up with laundry,
we can easily forget about the warning signs like temperature control and bleach
recommendations on care labels, but they're there for a reason. Kids are tougher
on their clothes than adults, but it's in the weekly wash where your budget can
really take a beating.
Take the sweat out of laundry
These days there are some great short cuts to save you time caring for not just
kids' but all of the family's clothes. And if you do pick up a few designer
bargains that your teenager could not live without, there are even ways to get
delicate care treatment at home without the headache or hassle. The Maytag
Neptune Drying Center could be your new best friend. The first multipurpose
dryer on the market, it pairs a traditional tumble dryer with a revolutionary
upper drying cabinet that uses warm circulating air to minimize shrinkage, speed
up the drying process, eliminate odors and refresh clothes -- saving time and
money.
Stop airing the family's laundry around the house. Clothes that you'd normally
hang or lay flat to dry can be dried in one to five hours instead of one to two
days when air-dried.
Common Cents
There are common sense ways to get more out of your kids' and your family's
clothes and make them last. Know what you're buying from the start and see past
the brand name. Look for well-made button holes, hems and seams that won't show
wear and tear before the rest of the garment. Close these buttons, hooks and
eyes -- if you remember -- every time you wash your clothes; it will reduce
snagging and wear on delicate areas. And when you do wash don't overload. Time
is precious but don't rush things. Clothes will wear faster from more abrasion
in an overloaded washer. As a rule don't load past the top two holes in a
top-loader machine.
Your kids' clothes will wear out over time, but if you buy smart and take care
along the way, they'll last longer than the next fashion fad.
For more information, visit www.maytag.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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