This Trend Just In: Back to School in Style

Going back to school always means wanting new on-trend items. But sometimes being trendy can also read costly with limited wear or use after the trend has died out. Luckily, this year's back to school trends are more mainstream than before, meaning that what you buy now, you can re-wear for seasons to come. Below are the biggest five trends, with examples of what you can wear and of course, at prices that won't wear out your wallet.

1. Tribal inspired - Take wardrobe cues from around the globe.

AEO Embroidered Bag, $49.50, American Eagle Outfitters

Candie's Vivien Platform Wedge Sandals, $25.99, kohls

Foil Tear Cocktail Ring, $28, topshop

Zad New Peacock on the Block Feather Earrings, $14, lulus

Tan Leather Fringed Cross Body Bag, $66, topshop

Obey Tribal Denim Backpack, $59, lulus

Pod Pave Black Ring, $85, Melinda Maria

Grey Stripe Rope Sole Women's Classics, $54, toms

2. Boyfriend Look - 'Boyfriend' blazers and jeans, boxy shouldered bomber jackets and even slouchy button-down shirts are on trend for this season.

AE Straw Fedora, $ 15.50, American Eagle

Beracasa Leopard Olive Handbag, $41, lulus

Red Textured Trim Snood, $32, topshop

Patent Leatherette Wingtip Shoes, $24.80, forever 21

3. Bright and Bold - wearing bright colors is definitely on trend this year. Whether its done through color blocking or using one primary color in a neon shade to make your outfit pop.

AEO Wraparound Watch, $29.50, American Eagle

Bongo Large Hobo, $29.99, kmart

Ridge Large Backpack, $98, kipling-usa

Jeffrey Campbell Be-Well Red Suede Peep Toe Woven Wedges, $154, lulus

4. Goth goes Glam - Black is a typical fall fall-back color, but this year add a little punk, a dash of emo or a sprinkling of goth to edge it up.

CARLOS BY CARLOS SANTANA Women's Foxy, $98.99, amazon

Horseshoe Stud Waist Belt, $48, Armani Exchange

Nude, Love As It Should Be Wedge, $99, Pretty Pennies

Candie's Zipper Ruffled Flip-Flops, $11.00, kohls

GemGirls Evil Eye Friendship Bracelets on Silk Cord, $35, Kara Ackerman

5. Think Preppy - another 80's trend to resurface is pure preppy. Embrace your Muffy, Biff and Blair by taking a page from The Preppy Handbook and go for a polished look sure to meet the standards of all popped-collared wearers of the world.

Eden Studded Ruffle Flat from Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez, $19.99, kmart

Candie's Bow Cat's-Eye Sunglasses, $14.99, kohls

LC Lauren Conrad Solo Ballet Flats, $36.99, kohls

VALENTINE Coral Patent Toe Ballet Pumps, $36, topshop

Jack Purcell Helen Marimekko, $75, amazon

For more back-to-school savings tips, revisit this "Dear Shopping Savage".

All pictures provided by Seventeen

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I have three children all gearing up to go back to school in a few weeks. They all want "new this" and "new that" and we're just not there financially as a family. My husband and I did set aside a little money for back-to-school expenses, but can you recommend ways to make that money stretch? And before you mention it, if they were old enough for jobs, trust me, I would have put them to work!

Signed,

Short on Back to School Funds

------------

Dear S.B.S.F.,

Gearing up for a new school year has always been a double-edged sword for parents. On the one hand you're happy to have (successfully) survived another summer with your kids at home, but then there's the cost of sending them back to school. And in today's financial world, with budget cuts leaving many education institutions strapped for cash, parents have to shoulder not only the brunt of revamping their child's wardrobe but now, also supplying school supplies that used to be provided.

With that said, you need to plan out your shopping strategically. First, have your kids make a list of all the things they need for the new year. Extract their "wants" from their "needs" and prioritize the list in that order. The first thing kids always claim they need is new clothes. Take the time to launder, organize and access each kid's closet. Pull out what they don't like anymore, haven't worn in a year or outgrew. If any of those articles of clothing can be handed down to a sibling then that's one less thing for you to buy; for everything else, plan to consign it to free up extra cash.

Scour store sales papers to see who has the best back to school deals and when. You may want to take a wall calendar or schedule and map out the sales just to give yourself a visual aid. Since most people won't think to get to the store until the day of the sale, you should plan to go a day before the sale starts to get first pick at the best inventory of soon-to-be sale items and put them on hold till the next day. This will give you a night to sleep on the options you chose and even time to go over them with your kids so you don't waste your money on something they may not like.

In addition to the sale, check online for store coupons. Go to the individual websites but also doing a quick generic online search for coupons for whichever store you want may also work in your favor. If your state has a tax-free weekend, take advantage. Every dollar saved, after all, is still a dollar saved.

For more tips on how to cut the cost on back to school spending, this article was chock-full of great advice.

Have a fashion question? Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

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