Apparel matters. Clothing serves as more than just covering and protection. It can be a medium through which we express who we are—our values, our mood, and our style.
There is debate about whether school uniforms or dress codes benefit students. Many believe that uniformity instills a sense of belonging and respect and reduces social distractions, aiding learning during the formative years for school-age children. However, some argue that it may suppress individuality, hinder personal growth, and contradict First Amendment rights and freedom of speech.
While the deliberation continues, school uniform policies among public schools in the U.S. have grown from just 3% in the 1995–1996 academic year to 20% in the 2011–2012 season. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, that figure still hovers around 20% today.
The National Institutes of Health cites that the growth in school uniforms has been fueled by the belief that uniform policies level the playing field in schools, help improve students’ academic achievement and social-behavioral engagement, and enhance student safety. The NIH also cites that critics of school uniforms argue student achievement, behavior, and self-esteem will decrease rather than increase and that classroom stratification will not only remain, but uniforms actually add further financial hardship on low-income families who now must purchase required clothing.
According to NerdWallet and its recent 2024 Harris Poll back-to-school spending survey, 42% of American parents of children in K–12 or college say they’d go into debt to pay for back-to-school items that would help their child fit in at school. That, of course, includes their child’s back-to-school clothing.
Common public school dress codes typically include khaki bottoms and solid tops, such as a classic tee shirt or polo. Even with no dress code policy, these essentials make for a great back-to-school style! Whether or not there is a uniform policy, families on a tight budget and organizations that support the underserved can turn to online resources to find high-quality materials, construction, and stitching—with the latest trend details—at a great bulk price.
For example, polos, a hot back-to-school item, are priced at under $6 each!
Back-to-School Clothing Essentials for Boys
Khaki Pants: Try this slim-fit style with super stretchy cotton-spandex-nylon woven fabric in both classic and dark khaki hues at just $13 a pair! Or check out this hybrid pant that fuses style, comfort, and function, perfect for the active and adventurous youth and priced at under $12 a pair.
Solid Tops: This classic three-button polo comes in eight color options, features a comfortable stretch cotton-polyester blend fabric, and is around $5 a shirt—among THE MOST affordable polo offered at retail today! Or try out this short-sleeved button-down shirt in classic blue that features a high-quality Oxford material and prices out at just $9.49 each. While this classic, logo-free crew-neck cotton tee, offered in an array of nine colors, costs only $3.50 each.
Footwear: Any child would love to sport this low-cut court sneaker featuring an all-white faux leather upper with accents of black and red. It is super affordable at $14.50 a pair. This canvas slip-on style, offered in black, navy, and white, features tonal piping, elastic detail, and rubber sole and is priced at $8.38 a pair.
Back-to-School Clothing Essentials for Girls
Khaki Bottoms: Try this flat-front pant, priced at $8.05 a pair, featuring a classic straight-leg style with slash pockets and a cotton-polyester blend fabric designed to keep its shape all school-day long. Or this classic four-pleat skort with its three-button detail. At just $9.50 each, this style is sure to deliver comfort and style for an active day at school.
Solid Tops: This logo-free girls’ three-button polo is priced at $7.40 a shirt, comes in eight solid colors, and features a cotton-spandex pique fabric with a cap sleeve design. There’s also this thermal long-sleeved crew neck style, under $5 each, which comes in black, red, and royal blue and is perfect for colder climates or the cooler winter months.
Footwear: To start off in the often warm back-to-school season, these on-trend bubble clogs feature an airy design in turquoise, pink, and black at under $7 a pair, while this classic lace-up canvas sneaker is under $8 a pair and comes in white, black, and red.
“Our back-to-school collection celebrates diversity and individuality, offering a wide range of styles that empower every child to express who they are with confidence and joy,” said Christie Cottier, head of merchandising for DollarDays. “As we create our collections, we always have the end-user in mind. When it comes to our back-to-school products, we look for ways to infuse the latest trend details and high quality at always the very best price possible.”
Cottier also reminds online purchasers to review the product case details. Bulk purchases deliver a great unit price, with cases offering a range of sizes in quantities from 12 to 144 or more units.
Even if your school does not have a school uniform policy, many parents choose the simplicity of creating uniformity in their child’s school apparel. Purchasing five of the same bottoms—such as khaki shorts, pants, or skorts—and five of the same tops—such as a collared polo or crisp button-down shirt—makes getting dressed on school day mornings a breeze.
Parents or guardians looking to get the latest high-quality items at a great price can team up with other parents and save time by purchasing bulk back-to-school essentials. The products can be shipped—just in time for the back-to-school season—to wherever is most convenient, such as someone’s home or the school, for easy distribution.
Even more importantly, people and organizations can give to a school in the community where there is a need by sponsoring school apparel—making a bulk purchase and shipping the product directly to the school of choice to help students in need. Imagine the joy such a shipment will bring students, parents, teachers, and staff alike!
From bottoms, tops, undergarments, and socks to footwear, loungewear, active wear, hats, accessories, and more, shop the retail industry’s highest quality back-to-school apparel items at a great price today!