Survive This Economy: Shopping For Back-To-School Clothes

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's the start of the back-to-school shopping season, and this year, more and more bargain hunters are heading to resale, consignment, and thrift stores.

The Wrights, a suburban couple with four kids, are joining the pack.

CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker found out there's a good reason sales at second-hand shops have doubled in recent years.

The Wright sisters are shopping for back to school clothes, and they're getting brand names – but for much less than retail, because they're shopping resale at Once Upon A Child in Naperville.

"This is a new concept for me," Sinora wright said, but after spending nearly $300 on clothes for her daughters last year, she was more than willing to check out a pair of used jeans for a buck.

"I don't see any rips or tears. They're very gently used. … You can't really tell they're used," she said.

Once Upon A Child assistant manager Angela Parson said the store has everything you could want for back-to-school clothes, including tops, bottoms, coats, winter pants, and boots.

"We go from Infant, size 0, up through size 16," she said.

A pair of used Little Princess boots at the store sell for $6.50, compared to $30 to $80 for similar boots bought new.

In addition to resale shops, consumer experts also suggest trying thrift stores, and consignment shops. All will save you 30 percent to 70 percent off retail prices.

The Wright girls walked away with long sleeve tops, jeans, sweatshirts, totaling $42.00.

Store clerks said the same clothes bought new would have cost about $150. So the Wrights pocketed $108 in savings.

"You can't beat new, because normally we buy new, but this is a close second to new," Sinora said. "I like it here."

This is also a great time to shop resale shops for summer sales. You'll find racks and racks of tops and jeans for just $1.

With the savings on back-to-school clothes, the Wrights have saved $3,657 since the start of the "Survive This Economy" series in November.