Aside from basics, like writing utensils and notebooks, do you think taking a kid shopping for a whole new wardrobe is necessary? There's only a two and a half to three month gap in between the end of the previous school year and the next.

When you were a kid, did you always get new clothes for the new school year?

Not it's not necessary for clothing at all. I have to shake my head at those parents rushing out to buy full wardrobes of cold weather clothing in August when the kids won't need them until October. What if they grow? My son will be wearing shorts for at least the first month of school. So I got him one pair of jeans that fit him a bit big.

Buying new shoes, I understand. Let the kids wear out their kicks from spring all summer long, then get them new ones for fall.

Not for us anymore

They don't get a whole new wardrobe. They get 3-4 new pairs of pants, 3-4 new shirts, some new socks....and a new pack of underwear if needed. That's basically it.

Not always necessary. I understand wanting a few new things but an entire wardrobe can be excessive especially in this economy.

Yes it is. Kids tend to grow during the summer and the school clothes they were just a few months ago are likely to be too small and warn. And what they wore every day during the summer isn't going to work with the seasonal change that happens within weeks of the new school year.

It's the second biggest hassle for parents after Xmas shopping, but it is necessary to buy them new clothes around back to school time.

Marc™ wrote:

They don't get a whole new wardrobe. They get 3-4 new pairs of pants, 3-4 new shirts, some new socks....and a new pack of underwear if needed. That's basically it.

For me that is a whole new wardrobe!

I don't think its necessary to by a full new wardrobe only what the kid needs. We used to get some new clothes when we went to school but going to a Catholic School, we had a uniform.

Yes, back to school shopping is necessary. Kids grow.....fast. It would be smart to buy them clothes they could grow into later, but for the most part, they're going to need a new wardrobe. I bought my sister a ton of clothes for school last year and she can't wear any of them now. She can't even wear her shoes anymore. I got new clothes every year.

Yes and yes.

I think it's necessary. As someone pointed out, kids grow. Plus, it's just a thing in my family. New school year, new clothes. If you can do it, why not?

My son grew 13 inches in one year, try keeping that in pants! He also has the stretch marks to prove it, however they are on his back mostly and the stretch marks turn purplish when he is swimming or shirtless any time else. People assumed they were knife fight scars. silly people! He allows them to think what they wish.

I guess it depends on the kid, but I don't see it as frivolous. Everyone needs their wardrobe updated at least once a year, and back to school is a good time to do that for kids.