Getting the Most Bang for Your Clothing Buck
Kids aren’t the only ones who can get creative when it comes to school uniforms.
Inventive parents can save a bundle. Prices vary widely according to maker--and store. This is where a little homework can mean considerable savings.
Start by asking your child’s school for a list of required basics and colors. Confirm whether the school insists on a specific brand. And make sure the list includes what is not permitted.
Most uniform manufacturers produce pants, shorts, skirts, skorts (a combination of a skirt and shorts), V-neck sweaters and dress shirts and blouses. Blazers and jackets are available at a higher price (from $30 to $75). Most brands now sell a wide range of matching socks, hair accessories, backpacks and pencil cases.
Also request a list of retail sources from the school.
Major chains such as Sears, Target, Robinsons-May, Mervyns, JCPenney and Kmart have all jumped on the uniform bandwagon as schools continue to adopt dress codes. Other independently owned stores have joined in, frequently offering lower prices than national chains. Districts from Santa Ana to San Fernando recommend Fallas Paredes, a 15-store discount chain that devotes considerable floor space to school uniforms.
Fallas Paredes buys close-outs from major uniform manufacturers such as French Toast, Bugle Boy, Genuine School Uniform and Scholastic Inc. It then sells them at incredibly low prices. The downtown store on Broadway had a rack this week of teen-sized pleated skirts in gray, burgundy, navy and dark green near the register for $1.99. Most items are priced under $10. For other locations, call toll free at (877) 2-UNIFORM.
Uniformity, a fashion-conscious brand that’s become popular at many private and public schools, is available at Macy’s at the Fox Hills and Cerritos malls.
If time is an issue, try catalogs or go online. Lands’ End is among the school uniform resources now on the Internet at https://www.land send.com/uniforms. French Toast, a reasonably priced line available at many conventional stores, offers close-outs on its Web site at https://www.frenchtoast.com. You can also get most school dress codes by just punching in the name of the school, city and ZIP Code.
To find another dozen Internet sites offering uniforms, do a “school uniforms” search.
For those in search of financial help, it’s available. In Long Beach, the largest is Operation School Bell, a philanthropic branch of RickRackers, an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Long Beach. Others in Long Beach include the Rotary Club, Board of Realtors and individual churches and donors. Check with your school or district for the assistance programs in your area.
