It’s that time of year again! The kids are headed back to school and we all know what that means: back to school shopping. This can be a fun and exciting time, but also a very stressful time if you don’t have the time or money to get it done. So, challenge yourself to create your children’s school wardrobe by shopping at second hand clothing stores.

We all want our kids to look their best on the first day of school, but most of us would love to do so without shelling out hundreds of dollars. It can be done by creatively and inexpensively shopping at the Arc Stores in Butte County.   

Lucky for you second hand shopping has made a huge comeback in today’s culture and what used to be considered “taboo” or “low class” is now trendy, fun and exciting.

If you live in a town like Chico that has multiple thrift/consignment stores, you stand a very good chance of getting it all done without having to set foot in a department store.

The two absolute necessities needed for back to school are shoes and clothing, but other essentials can also be found at second hand clothing stores such as backpacks and purses. 

Shoes

New shoes are usually the largest expense during back to school shopping. If you have ever spent $80 on a new pair of children’s shoes just to have them come home ruined within a week, then you know how unnecessary it is to spend so much money. 

At the Arc Store in Chico you can find quality used and even new shoes from newborn up to a men’s size 18. Our regular priced shoes are typically $3 a pair but they also go on sale regularly and can be purchased for as low as $1 a pair.

If you prefer designer brands then shop our Timeless Boutique, a dedicated section in each store featuring brands like Nike, Birkenstock, Tevas, Clarks, Cole Hahn and Dansko. These shoes are typically priced at a quarter of retail prices.

Helpful Hint: A great way to clean up tennis shoes is to remove laces, apply Spray and Wash, soak for about 30 minutes and then throw them in the washer. Once washed leave out in the sun for a day and they are as good as new!

If you have a rubber toe and need to remove scuff marks use a damp Magic Eraser (Mr. Clean cleaning supply). This will help clean up a great pair of Converse All Stars!   

Clothing

Clothing is an obvious need when it comes to back to school shopping at second hand clothing stores. The Arc Store sells the best of what we get and the most popular inventory items in stock.

Jackets and coats are a great second hand buy. If you think ahead and purchase jackets in July or August with the rest of the back to school clothing, you are very likely to find a great deal. Winter wear is generally marked significantly lower during the summer months because it is hard to sell.

Helpful Hint: If you purchase a gender neutral jacket (black, brown, etc.) you can pass it down to younger siblings in the following years to get even more use out of it.

Flannel shirts are also a great item to purchase second hand. Flannel shirts are some of the most versatile clothing items. They can be worn over a t-shirt, under a t-shirt, under a vest, with sleeves rolled up or with sleeves cut off. Why pay $40 for a “vintage” styled replica when you can have the real thing?

Jeans are another great buy at second hand clothing stores. Jeans and shorts take a lot of wear and tear from little ones. They don’t usually last long so why not purchase them at $2 a pair instead of $30 a pair?

Helpful Hint: Even if the used jeans are not in perfect condition you can turn them into a hip pair or acid wash jeans or cut off shorts.

Need more inspiration? Here are 3 outfits made entirely from Arc Store merchandise.    

For other great tips on shopping at second hand clothing stores “Like Us” on Facebook and get the latest update on sales, specials and new arrivals.

Before you come in to do your second hand shopping, be sure to download and bring the coupon below with you!