4 Tips for Stress-Free Back-to-School Shopping

It just about time for those school bells to start ringing once again. To get you and your family ready for the new school year, here are some tips and insight on trends to help guide you through back-to-school clothing shopping.

1) Know what’s in your closet.
Before you head to the store, take a good look at what you already have in your closet. For the items that get the most use, consider adding more of those to your shopping list.  Also look for items that might have been outgrown or damaged. For any items that could be of use to another family, consider consigning them at stores like 529 Kids Consign in Old Town, which is a great way to earn money!

2) Know the trends.
This fall, the top trends for boys are influenced by “city chic” and “athletic” looks. On the other side, it’s all about the year of the girl!  With 2016 marking our first-ever female presidential nominee of a major party, girls are about breaking old gender norms, even with their clothing.  Like the boys, athletics are influencing their style. We are also seeing “bohemian” styles.

However, the most important note when it comes to trends, is to know that now, more than ever before, kids are all about showcasing their own personal style. It’s all about standing out and not fitting in this year, so let them shine.

3) Set a schedule for shopping.
Once you know what you need, set aside a specific time for shopping. While it may be tempting to pick up items here and there amidst your other errands, scheduling a time can save you headaches later. It will allow you and the kids to be focused and make sure you stick to your lists.
Also pay attention to special promotions to get the most bang for your buck. Look for promotional emails from your favorite boutiques and check out their social media pages to see if they are offering Back-to-School sales or incentives.

Getting ready to go on set with FOX5!

4) Get the kids involved and excited.
Back-to-School shopping is all about the kids, so get them involved. Depending on their age and interest, let them be part of the decision-making process. For little ones it might be as simple as letting them choose between green or red shoes, while more mature students might be more involved in choosing where to shop, or sticking to their budget. For kids that aren’t really into shopping, make sure you add another fun activity to the day. Perhaps they get to choose a restaurant for the lunch break or build in a reward for a good day of shopping. Make it fun!
Megan Podolsky is the owner of 529 Kids Consign and a frequent Alexandria Stylebook contributor. To see more tips and trends visit 529kidsconisgn.com, on social media at @529KidsCosign, or in person at 122 A S. Royal Street.

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Megan Podolsky

529 Kids Consign | Mint Condition

http://www.529kidsconsign.com/

megan@529KidsConsign.com

Megan’s career in retail/merchandising began in the mid nineties standing in front of a woodsy smelling Abercrombie and Fitch. Sporting an oversized plaid flannel and bootcut jeans she said hello to every customer that eagerly walked in to the popular retailer. Little did Megan know that, while creating a perfect “denim wall”and dressing in all of the latest fashion that the lifestyle brand offered she was building the foundation for her fun and exciting career! After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Megan managed multiple A&F stores before she moved on to an assistant buyer position in contemporary dresses at the local Arlington based retailer Hecht’s (now Macy’s). She gained an immeasurable amount of knowledge before moving onto a different facet of the business at Calvin Klein Jeans. Megan worked her way from retail coordinator to East-Coast regional manager helping to create the Calvin Klein aesthetic in department stores from Boston to Miami. After her first son Ethan was born, her position at CKJ was eliminated, due to the harsh economic conditions at the time. This is how 529 was born! Megan quickly began to see how fast Ethan was growing out of his clothing. She knew other moms had the same amount of adorable “gently-worn” clothing piling up. Combining her love of retail and her obsession with dressing Ethan gave her the idea to try and sell this clothing. 529 became a popular “pop-up” shop in the Alexandria area and once the following was big enough, a brick and mortar store in historic Old Town. 529 Kids Consign exemplifies who Megan is and what she has learned throughout her career. It’s a warm, well-organized, well- edited boutique that attracts moms from all over the DC metro area. On any given visit to the store you may be greeted by three boys dressed to the nines..they too have the passion.

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We are an upscale children's and maternity consignment boutique specializing in the latest trends. Quality is important to us, which is why we are particular about our brands. Offering not only consignment items but also the freshest and most trendy must haves for hip moms and cool kids makes us the place to shop!

529 Kids Consign
122A South Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.567.4518

Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm

www.529kidsconsign.com