There was a time when back-to-school shopping brought me joy. The thrill of picking up fresh notebooks and trendy backpacks was only overshadowed by the blissful anticipation of a quieter household. A leisurely trip to Target, a coffee in hand, and a quick stop at the Dollar Spot for a few $5 T-shirts and jeans was all it took to complete our list. A final detour through the shoe section for sneakers was the cherry on top, and we’d be back home before noon.
Then came the teenage years, and suddenly, back-to-school shopping felt like navigating a labyrinth of chaos. With constant growth spurts and an ever-shifting landscape of trends, this once joyous occasion morphed into a scene reminiscent of a horror movie. The way my kids devour food, I fear that my grocery bill will outpace my sanity.
I can’t be the only parent who dreads this annual shopping expedition with their teens. Here are some thoughts to ponder:
1. Capris for Boys, Please!
Guys, let’s make man capris a reality. If they existed, I’d be doing backflips down the street. Not only would these stylish pants mean that those pricey jeans would last more than a month, but we could also shop early. My son grows faster than weeds in spring, and I’d prefer not to wait until the last minute to buy him clothes. Moms everywhere would celebrate if this trend took off. Too small jeans for your daughter? No problem—she’s now rocking capris! It’s time boys got the same option. Old Navy, I’m practically begging you here.
2. Shoe Shopping is a Nightmare
No one warns you that once your kid outgrows the youth shoe section, finding a size 7 in the men’s section becomes a covert mission. When I sought size 7 dress shoes for my son, the sales clerk just about fell over laughing. For six months, he stomped around in size 8 shoes stuffed with tissues until they fit. No one cared that he looked ridiculous—his friends were all in the same boat. And don’t even get me started on half sizes. Just don’t.
3. Goodbye Bargains, Hello Price Tags
Remember when you could grab a handful of $5 T-shirts? Those days are long gone. Now, outfitting my son and daughter means shelling out adult prices for clothes that they’ll outgrow in what feels like minutes. Factor in the must-have labels from stores that blast music and have questionable decor, and you can say goodbye to that dream vacation for our 20th anniversary. Thanks a lot, Mr. Abercrombie.
4. My Little Girl Has Grown Up
My daughter was once the epitome of girly, twirling in dresses and tights. But now that she’s a tween, her style has taken a sharp turn. Gone are the days of bows and patent leather shoes; she now opts for anything sparkly, T-shirts with bold sayings, and patterns that clash spectacularly—all in one outfit. I find myself longing for those frilly dresses while she rolls her eyes at my nostalgia.
5. Teenagers Have Strong Opinions
Here’s a newsflash: your opinion on teen fashion is irrelevant. No matter how trendy the store, your teen will disregard your suggestions. Even if a young sales associate suggests the same pair of jeans, your teen will happily take them to the cash register, leaving you to foot the bill. And don’t even think about surprising them with something—you’ll just end up with a lot of eye rolls and snarky comments.
Shopping for clothing with teens tests my patience at every turn. Yet, I find comfort in knowing that when my son finally outgrows that North Face sweatshirt, it’s coming straight to my closet. And just like that, I’ll be the coolest mom at back-to-school night.
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In summary, back-to-school shopping with teens is an emotional rollercoaster filled with challenges, surprises, and the ever-present hope of finding a style that suits both the parents and the kids.
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