Back-to-school shoppers look for latest trends, deals ahead of new school year

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The countdown to the first day of school is underway, and families are heading to stores to check one big item off their lists: back-to-school clothes.

Back-to-school shopping is one of the busiest retail seasons of the year. According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade are expected to spend an average of about $863, while college students and their families are expected to spend about $1,437.

At Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington, shoppers are searching for the latest styles while also keeping an eye out for deals.

At Buckle, Assistant Manager Taylor Coffey said this year’s trends are leaning toward loose, layered and bold looks.

“We’re seeing a lot of baggy; all the kids are loving baggy jeans, low-rise is super in, and then right now a lot of heavy accessories, a lot of layering. For men, it’s going to be a lot of the duck camo print for our country guys,” said Coffey.

Patterns are also proving popular this back-to-school season, according to Alice Faenza with Altar’d State.

“Polka dots are big this year; stripes, all sorts of like patterns have been a big trend,” said Faenza.

For Hannah Isley, a rising ninth grader at Laney High School, shopping for the new school year is also a chance to find a style that feels right as she begins a new chapter.

“I think it’s just like a new, fresh start, just having a new experience in high school; it’s just such a cool experience,” said Isley.

Her friend, Hannah Dorschid, who is also a rising freshman at Laney, said sales can help make that fresh start more affordable, especially for students who are not yet earning their own money.

“It’s really beneficial because, especially when a lot of high schoolers, especially going into 9th grade, aren’t making money yet, it’s really nice to be able to have the opportunity to buy stuff you’d want; it’s really generous of them as well,” said Dorschid.

With families buying everything from clothes to school supplies, Coffey said finding deals can help students stretch their budgets without sacrificing their personal style.

“You just get the most bang for your buck because everyone always wants to look cute when you go to a new school, a new grade; you always want to try to look your best obviously, and you want to put that first step forward in a really great outfit, something that makes you not only look good but feel good too,” said Coffey.