Not-so-fun fact: Back-to-college shopping in 2025 costs $1,365 on average.
Between clothes, tech, dorm gear, and shoes, your wallet doesn’t stand a chance unless you shop smart. Super smart. We’re here to help.
Luckily, this year’s back-to-school sales are stacked with real-deal savings. We’re talking up to 60% off, student discounts that actually move the needle, and sneaky ways to save even more.
You know how the story goes; teens and college students want style. Parents want discounts.
This year, you can have both.
Top 7 deals for kids back-to-school clothes
Tiny humans grow fast. Like, one-summer-the-shoes-don’t-fit fast. That means parents are constantly restocking wardrobes. And teens, well, teens are complicated. Here are some of the best kids back-to-school clothes sales that won’t nuke your bank account:
1. Old Navy – 50% off kids’ clothing, backpacks & uniforms
What you’ll find: Old Navy’s limited-time offer on kids back-to-school basics, including uniform polos from $4, chinos for $12–$8, and tees & backpacks at 50% off. Some deep clearance stacks these even deeper (up to 85% off). Great for budget-conscious parents. Check it out here.
2. Macy’s – Up to 70% off uniforms & 60% off Carter’s kidswear
What you’ll find: Back-to-school uniforms marked down by up to 50%, plus major markdowns (60–70%) on brands like Carter’s and First Impressions. Backpacks, graphic tees from $9, and shorts from $15 round out the range. Check it out here.
3. JCPenney – Massive items under $20 during Black Friday in July
What you’ll find: Over 7,000 back‑to‑school items under $20, with more than 4,000 kids’ apparel items under $20, AND over 1,500 pieces < $10. Brands include Levi’s, Adidas, Carter’s, OKie Dokie, and more. Check it out here.
4. Amazon – Secret back‑to‑school section with clothes from $4
What you’ll find: Hidden gem! Children’s polos as low as $4.20, backpacks, lunchboxes, and headphones all at mid‑20s to low‑30s style pricing. Plus tech and dorm extras if you browse the student sections. Check it out here.
5. Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – Up to 50% off teen brands & basics
What you’ll find: Though not strictly limited to back-to-school, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale (July 12–August 3) offers up to 50% off select brands, including Nike, Vince, New Balance, and basic teen styles, making it perfect for fashion-forward older kids. Check it out here.
6. Target’s “Back-to-School-idays” Event – (July 27–August 2)
What you’ll find: Target is bringing it with 25% off select kids’ apparel (think: tees, shorts, uniforms), 30% off backpacks, and 20% off Bentgo lunch items. Hanes socks and underwear? Also 20% off. Bonus: over 1,000 items under $5, and $0.25 crayons. That’s not a typo; Check it out here.
7. Abercrombie Kids – Up to 60% Off
What you’ll find: Abercrombie is offering up to 40% off back-to-school outfits, plus an extra 20% off almost everything else in their kids’ collection. That beats your average clearance and looks good doing it. Perfect selection for back-to-school clothes for teens. Check it out here.
Bonus: Kohl’s Back-to-School Sale
What you’ll find: Kohl’s is dishing out deals on uniforms, casual wear, and accessories from IZOD, Lands’ End, and French Toast. You also have the potential to maximize savings by using Kohl’s Cash rewards all stacking, subject to their conditions.
Extra back-to-school deals!
We know how it is, things are tough out there. We all need all the info we can get. Here are some extra back-to-school deals we thought were too good to leave out.
👉 Check Our Our Full Guide on Best Back-to-School Deals
1. Best Buy – Up to $500 off laptops
What you’ll find: Technically not clothes. Best Buy’s official back-to-school Student Hub is showcasing major tech deals, including up to $500 off select Windows laptops and up to $150 off MacBooks. Although not clothing, a laptop is a back-to-school shopping essential. Skip this deal at your own peril. Check it out here.
2. Wayfair – Black Friday in July: Up to 80% off dorm essentials
What you’ll find: Dorm room glow-ups on a ramen budget? During Wayfair’s official Black Friday in July event, shoppers can save up to 80% on dorm decor, bedding, and storage essential, perfect for dorm room starters and refreshes. Includes discounted decorative items, organizers, rugs, and more. Check it out here.
3. VeeTrends – 2025 Back‑to‑School Collection
What you’ll find: Think wholesale prices with zero bulk buying required. Free shipping on select orders, trendy pieces, and extended sizing (plus, slim, tall) make this a solid pick for outfitting older students. Check it out here.
Food for thought
More tips for saving!
1. Maximize student ID discounts
Your student ID is a money-saving cheat code. You can get surprisingly good discounts with brands like:
- H&M (20% off with Student Beans)
- Nike and Adidas (10% with SheerID)
- Apple (Education pricing on tech)
- ASOS, American Eagle, The North Face (10–20% off for students)
Just verify your ID with Student Beans, UNiDAYS, or SheerID and start stacking those savings.
2. Before you click “add to cart,” consider these
- Take inventory first: See what still fits from last year before buying three new hoodies.
- Time your buys: Stock up on staples now, then wait for post-Labor Day sales to snag coats and boots at a discount.
- Shop tax holidays: Nearly 20 states offer weekends with zero sales tax on clothes and supplies. Check your local rules.
- Use coupon apps: Apps like Honey and RetailMeNot can help stack promo codes you didn’t even know existed.
- Buy in bulk with friends: Split Costco hauls of socks and underwear with other families and save per unit.
- Mix in secondhand: ThredUp, Poshmark, and local consignment shops often have name brands for a fraction of the price.
- Invest in quality for high-use items: A good backpack or jacket can last multiple school years. Spending more up front = saving later.
- Sign up for store rewards: Loyalty programs offer exclusive discounts and early sale access.
There You Have It
Back-to-school shopping season doesn’t have to bankrupt you. With these top back-to-school clothes sales, savvy shopping strategies, and some well-timed tech buys, you can knock out everything from basics to dorm room essentials without stressing your bank account. Shop smart, stack those discounts, and keep your family looking sharp all year.
FAQ
How to afford back-to-school clothes?
Start by taking inventory, shopping sales, and stacking coupons. Look for tax-free weekends and consider secondhand options.
What time of year has the best clothing sales?
Back-to-school season (July through early September), followed by fall clearance sales in October.
Which stores have the best back-to-school clothes shopping sales?
Target, Kohl’s, and Abercrombie Kids are offering major markdowns this year. Bonus: student discount programs at H&M, Nike, and Apple help stretch your dollar further.
