Local businesses share back-to-school shopping tips

Jul. 30—With the school year right around the corner, many families might be shopping for a new wardrobe, but this isn't always an easy task with trends constantly changing and kids constantly growing.

Lindsey Bradford, store manager of Bling Glamour in St. Joseph, said cargo and flannel are in style right now.

"Definitely lots of layers at this point too. We've seen a lot of crop tops coming through, too," Bradford said.

Amy Heath, owner of The Lucky Tiger said she's seeing a lot of vintage, and that a lot of people like to mix and match different patterns and materials.

Rachael Walker, part-time stylist at Bling Glamour, said she helps students find their own custom style.

"I get a sense of their style," she said. "Maybe their favorite color, whether they're more into pants, cargo shorts, skirts."

Getting parents and kids to agree on clothes is another challenge. Mesh materials, short shorts and crop tops tend to be a big concern. Bradford suggests finding a happy compromise.

"(For) crop tops, pairing them with high-waisted jeans. That way it's going to hit right at that waistline," said Bradford.

However, Heath suggests parents go a little easy on their children as clothing is one of the few ways for them to express themselves.

"Artistic expression is very important in the development of the mind. And, it helps to expand their learning as well," she said. "Remember the short shorts that you used to wear. You didn't think anything of it. So, it's just part of growing up."

She encourages kids to wear what they love instead of following the latest trends. Nichi Seckinger, executive director of AFL_CIO, said it can be hard to teach children to find their own style. She said there's nothing wrong with not having the same thing everyone else has.

"The people that they tend to admire and look up to on television or in the movies or in sports. 90% of the time, the reason they are where they are is because they were so different from everyone else," Seckinger said.

Heath encourages parents to shop locally this back-to-school season because it's a great way for money to go back into the economy while supporting people in the community.

"It's just a sense of pride. And the more you spend locally, the better the Downtown looks, the better your city looks," Heath said.

A low-cost option for families is to shop at local thrift stores. Seckinger said thrifting gives parents a break financially while still providing name-brand options for kids.

"Kids, especially depending on their age, some of them go through clothes so quickly that spending so much money on outfits that they're going to be in for half of the school year, isn't very affordable," Seckinger said.

Not only does it save money, but thrifting is also more sustainable.

"A lot of times you can turn around and donate back what you're not using anymore. So it's not going to a landfill or something like that," she said.

For those hesitant, Seckinger said it's all about changing the child's perspective.

"Tell them we can get you one shirt or we can get you three shirts," she said.

With tax-free weekend coming up, it will be a good time to take advantage of sales in St. Joseph.

The Lucky Tiger will be open with extended hours this tax-free weekend. It will also have a 25% off sale.

Bling Glamour will also be hosting a back-to-school bash Thursday, Aug. 1, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., where shoppers will see many deals.

Additionally, the AFL-CIO will be hosting its annual Soles for Christ giveaway Aug. 12-13 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students can receive a free new pair of tennis shoes to use for school.