Back-To-School Shopping - Best Deals

You will hear a chorus of cheers (from the parents) and jeers (from the kids) this week as classes get underway. As always, there's lots to do before the kids get on the bus. Let me get my checklist:

Update immunizations ... check.
Buy school supplies ... check.
Make sure all shoes fit ... check.
Buy clothes .... nope.

I don't enjoy shopping for myself let alone three children who complain every time I tell them we have to go to Target. But it's usually necessary because the kids have either grown out of most of their shirts and shorts or everything looks a little ratty. So here I am, the day before school starts, gearing up for a few hours of shopping.

Usually, I examine all the local department store circulars to see where I can find the best deals and hit those places first. This year, though, I'm changing tactics. I've learned the "best deals" don't always wear well. You know what I'm talking about. Shirts that fade too quickly. Pants that shrink too much. The biggest problem is finding boys' jeans that won't end up with holes in the knees.

So you can imagine how happy I was to have read a recent article in Good Housekeeping. It was titled "Bargain Clothes That Last."

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests products for their durability and this particular article focused on jeans and tees.

Great! That's just what we wear.

So here are the bargain clothes that last:

Boys jeans : Levi's 550 relaxed fit jeans for boys ($26) made of extremely strong denim and aced GHRI's tests (worth the bigger price tag). Basic Edition Boys' Jeans ($10) from K-Mart finished second. GHRI says to skip the boy's faded bootcut jeans ($19.50) at Old Navy.

Boys Tees : JcPenney's Arizona T-shirt ($9.50 - $10.50)is the winner among the boys tees. GHRI did says it shrank a bit so consider sizing up. GHRI says pass on the Basic Edition T-shirts for boys and girls at K-Mart.

Girl's Jeans : Girlfriend Bootcut jeans ($19.50) at Old Navy are sturdy and look great after loads of laundering. Basic Editions Flare Jeans ($13) from K-Mart are the best of the seven girls' pairs tested. GHRI said they're tough, well-made jeans that won't fade but may shrink a bit. Slim Stretch Girl's Flare Jeans at Walmart cost less than $10 each, and GHRI said the girl's pair performed better than the Levi's that cost two and a half times more. GHRI says to skip the Mossimo Supply Girl's Distressed Jeans at Target.

Girl's Shirts : JCPenney's Arizona Polo ($20) came in second for girls tops. GHRI said the shirts have good fabric strength and are true to size but did fade a touch after five washes. Lacoste girl's striped polo finished first but at a price of $55 each that's way out of our price range. As for tees, GHRI said Faded Glory boys' and girls' t-shirts from Walmart are priced just right for stocking up although look for a bit of shrinkage. GHRI says to skip the Arizona t-shirts for girls because they shrink and edge stitchng may unravel.

Happy Shopping!