Pre-Teens Trying to Grow Up

So yesterday, my SO had the day off , so we took the girls (ages 8 and 11) school clothes shopping. Gawd I hate shopping for school clothes, come to think of it, I hate shopping period. When I was a kid I loved being able to go to Woolco for back to school clothes, and when we were done shopping, we got ice cream from the counter in Woolco. My favorite was always Tiger Tiger because it was a flavor we never got at home. Now I cant stand going to Walmart, Justice, Gap, Old Navy etc especially when there are a gazillion other mothers , fathers and kids there doing the same thing.

But I digress.......clothes shopping in 2012 hasnt changed much really, except prices! I spent $400 yesterday to outfit 2 girls for school. And they only got 4 outfits each! And they are growing up. Instead of buying cutesy little 2 piece outfits I now have to buy separates. Jeans , tops, bras (ugh really ......its not time yet, is it?) make up (omg she is really wanting to wear makeup going into grade 7??) socks, you know , the usual fare for pre teens. And my 8 yr old.....her and hats and shoes......she is a diva! Since she was little she has had a fascination for shoes......now that is extending to hats. Never mind that she cant wear the hats in the classroom....she still has to look perfect, in her eyes. So we come home with bags, and bags, and bags. After 4 hrs of shopping we got 6 prs of jeans, 1 pr of leggings, 1 skirt, 8 tops, 16 prs of socks, 16 prs of new underwear, a hat, 3 prs of shoes (that they will outgrow by Christmas) a hat, 2 bras, 1 eyeliner, 1 mascara, (I drew the line at lipstick and foundation) and 2 fashion scarves. The scarves are not for winter, they are an accessory. Only to make them look good when they are wearing of all things, a T-shirt! No winter coats, boots or mittens, yet..........that will come later , when the cold weather starts coming in.

So now we have to go through their clothes, that are acceptable to wear to school and thin their wardrobes out. For every outfit they got new, we will give one outfit away. Along with that, any clothes that are too small, worn out, etc will be put into two piles. The worn clothing will be made into rags, the too small clothing will be donated to Value Village.

And next year at this time.......we will shop at Value Village so I can save some money......oh who am I kidding..........we will still go to all their favorite stores and buy brand new clothes.........for my little fashionista's ........they have to look grand!