Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to mean spending a fortune on clothes. Kids grow quickly, styles change and sometimes an entire wardrobe needs to be replaced before the school year even begins. For families looking to save money on back-to-school clothes in Lee’s Summit, thrift stores, resale shops and discount retailers can be great places to start.
Fortunately, families in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, have several options for finding affordable clothing for kids, teens and adults. From secondhand stores and children's resale shops to Ross, TJ Maxx and other off-price retailers, there are plenty of ways to build a school wardrobe without paying full retail prices.
If you're searching for the best places to find cheap back-to-school clothes in Lee’s Summit, here are some local options worth adding to your shopping list.
Goodwill: Affordable Secondhand Clothing
Goodwill Lee's Summit is a convenient option when you're looking for affordable secondhand clothing. The Lee’s Summit location at 440 SW Ward Road carries donated clothing and other merchandise, with inventory that changes as new donations come in.
Thrift stores can be especially useful for finding everyday school basics such as jeans, T-shirts, shorts, hoodies, jackets and shoes. You may even come across name-brand clothing for considerably less than the original retail price.
Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas also uses a color-coded tag discount program, so checking for current promotions before shopping can help you save even more.
Find Goodwill in Lee’s Summit:
Goodwill Lee’s Summit
Best for: Everyday basics, kids' clothing, teen clothing and shoes.
Hillcrest Thrift Store: Shop Secondhand While Supporting a Local Mission
Hillcrest Thrift Store is located at 936 SE 3rd Street in Lee’s Summit and offers another option for families looking for affordable back-to-school clothes in Lee’s Summit.
Hillcrest is operated by Hillcrest Transitional Housing, and proceeds from its thrift stores support the organization's housing programs.
Because thrift-store inventory changes regularly, it can be worth checking back more than once during back-to-school season.
Best for: Families who enjoy thrift shopping and want their purchases to support a local nonprofit.
Lee’s Summit Social Services Thrift Store: Low-Cost Shopping Downtown
Lee's Summit Social Services Thrift Store is another local option for budget-conscious shoppers.
Located at 108 SE 4th Street, the thrift shop is open to the public and offers low-cost items. Proceeds help fund Lee’s Summit Social Services programs, which provide assistance to local residents.
For families trying to keep their back-to-school budget under control, smaller community thrift stores can be worth exploring alongside larger chains.
Find Lee’s Summit Social Services:
Lee’s Summit Social Services
Best for: Budget-conscious families who want to shop locally and support community programs.
Savers: A Lee’s Summit Thrift Shopping Option
Savers Community Donation Center on East Langsford Road is another option for secondhand shopping in Lee’s Summit.
Savers offers a large-format thrift shopping experience with clothing and other merchandise. Since inventory changes frequently, you may find different sizes, brands and styles from one visit to the next.
Best for: Families who enjoy browsing a large selection and hunting for unexpected deals.
Plato’s Closet: Great for Tweens and Teens
When kids get older, shopping for back-to-school clothes can become more complicated. Tweens and teenagers often have strong opinions about what they want to wear, but that doesn't mean parents want to pay full retail prices.
Plato's Closet - Lee's Summit, MO buys and sells gently used clothing, shoes and accessories for teens and young adults.
The Lee’s Summit store is located at 1170 NE Douglas Street, and its inventory focuses on current styles and name-brand clothing. Plato's Closet also promotes deals and special events through its store.
Shop Plato’s Closet:
Plato’s Closet Lee’s Summit
Best for: Tweens, teenagers and young adults looking for current styles at resale prices.
Wild Child Resale: Save on Children's Clothing
Wild Child Resale is another Lee’s Summit option specifically focused on children's clothing and gear.
Located along Route 291, Wild Child Resale offers both new boutique-style merchandise and gently used children's items. Its inventory can include children's clothing, shoes, toys and baby gear.
For parents shopping for younger kids who seem to outgrow clothing every few months, resale stores can be a practical way to save.
Best for: Babies, toddlers, elementary-age children and families looking for gently used kids' clothing.
Ross Dress for Less: New Clothes at Discount Prices
If you'd rather buy new clothing while still looking for a deal, Ross Dress for Less at 480 NW Chipman Road is another Lee’s Summit option.
Ross is an off-price retailer offering clothing, shoes and accessories for women, men and kids. Inventory changes frequently, so the selection can vary from one shopping trip to another.
Ross can be a good place to look for jeans, T-shirts, athletic clothing, shoes, jackets and other back-to-school basics without automatically paying full retail.
Shop Ross:
Ross Dress for Less
Best for: New clothing at off-price prices for kids, teens and adults.
T.J. Maxx: Name-Brand Deals for the Whole Family
T.J. Maxx at 1640 NW Chipman Road is another off-price retailer worth checking during your Lee’s Summit back-to-school shopping trip.
T.J. Maxx offers discounted clothing and accessories across children's, women's and men's categories. Like other off-price stores, its selection changes regularly, so browsing the racks can sometimes turn up unexpected deals.
Shop T.J. Maxx:
T.J. Maxx
Best for: Families looking for discounted name-brand clothing, shoes and accessories.
Don't Forget to Check Target for Back-to-School Deals
Target at 1850 NW Chipman Road is another convenient option when you're shopping for both clothing and school supplies.
Target carries children's and adult clothing, shoes, accessories and other school necessities, making it easy to combine several shopping stops into one trip.
Shop Target:
Target Clothing
Best for: Families who want clothing, shoes and school supplies in one place.
How to Save Even More on Back-to-School Clothes
Finding the right stores is only part of saving money. A little planning can help you get more clothing for your back-to-school budget.
1. Check Your Kids' Closets First
Before heading to the stores, have each child try on last year's clothes.
You may find that some jeans, jackets, athletic clothes or shoes still fit. Make a list of what each child actually needs before you start shopping.
2. Shop Resale Before Buying New
If you're trying to keep your budget down, check secondhand and resale stores first.
Kids can grow out of clothes quickly, which means gently used clothing can still have plenty of life left in it.
3. Compare Prices
Don't assume something is automatically a better deal because it's at a discount store.
For bigger purchases like shoes, jackets and name-brand jeans, compare prices at multiple stores before buying.
4. Check Clearance Sections
Even discount retailers can have clearance merchandise.
Take a few minutes to check clearance racks before heading to the register. You may find seasonal clothing at an even lower price.
5. Prioritize Everyday Basics
Start with the clothes your children will wear most often:
- Jeans
- Pants
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Polos
- Socks
- Underwear
- Sneakers
- Hoodies
- Athletic clothing
Once those essentials are covered, you can use the rest of your budget for trendier pieces or special outfits.
Back-to-School Shopping Can Fill Your Vehicle Quickly
After shopping for several children, your vehicle can quickly become filled with clothing bags, shoes, backpacks and school supplies.
Then the school year begins, and the cargo doesn't stop.
Between sports equipment, groceries, school projects, musical instruments and weekend activities, having flexible passenger and cargo space can be useful throughout the year.
Chevrolet Traverse: Flexible Space for Family Life
The Chevrolet Traverse offers three rows of seating and can accommodate up to eight passengers with the available second-row bench configuration.
It also offers up to 98 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, giving families flexibility for shopping bags, backpacks, sports equipment and everyday items.
Shop the Chevrolet Traverse:
Traverse Inventory at McCarthy Chevrolet of Lee’s Summit
Chevrolet Tahoe: More Room for the Whole Family
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size three-row SUV that can accommodate up to nine passengers depending on configuration.
With up to 122.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, Tahoe gives families additional flexibility for shopping bags, school supplies, sports equipment and other gear.
Shop the Chevrolet Tahoe:
Tahoe Inventory at McCarthy Chevrolet of Lee’s Summit
Chevrolet Suburban: Maximum Space for Busy Families
For families who need even more room, the Chevrolet Suburban offers up to nine-passenger seating depending on configuration and up to 144.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume.
Whether you're shopping for multiple children, loading up sports equipment or heading out for a family road trip, the Suburban gives you plenty of flexibility.
Shop the Chevrolet Suburban:
Suburban Inventory at McCarthy Chevrolet of Lee’s Summit
Your Lee’s Summit Back-to-School Shopping Checklist
Before you head out, make a list for each child so you know exactly what you need.
Clothing
- Jeans and pants
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Polos
- Dresses and skirts
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Jackets
- Athletic clothing
- Socks and underwear
Shoes
- Everyday sneakers
- Athletic shoes
- Dress shoes
- Boots
School Essentials
- Backpack
- Lunch box
- Water bottle
- School supplies
- Sports equipment
- School spirit wear
Shopping by category can help prevent impulse purchases and make sure you're spending your back-to-school budget on the things your children actually need.
Find the Best Back-to-School Deals in Lee’s Summit
Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to break the family budget.
From Goodwill, Hillcrest Thrift and Lee’s Summit Social Services to Savers, Plato’s Closet and Wild Child Resale, families have several options for finding secondhand and resale clothing in Lee’s Summit.
If you're looking for new clothing at lower prices, Ross and T.J. Maxx are also worth checking. Comparing thrift, resale and off-price retailers can help you find the best combination of price, quality and selection for your family.
And once you've filled the shopping bags, make sure you have a vehicle with enough room for the whole family and everything you're bringing home.
At McCarthy Chevrolet of Lee’s Summit, you can explore Chevrolet SUVs including the Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban and compare the passenger and cargo space available for your family's needs.
Shop Chevrolet in Lee’s Summit
Shop New Chevrolet Inventory:
New Chevrolet Inventory at McCarthy Chevrolet of Lee’s Summit
Shop the Chevrolet Traverse:
Traverse Inventory
Shop the Chevrolet Tahoe:
Tahoe Inventory
Shop the Chevrolet Suburban:
Suburban Inventory
Whether you're searching for cheap back-to-school clothes in Lee’s Summit, hunting for secondhand name brands or looking for new clothes at discount prices, there are plenty of ways to build a school wardrobe without paying full retail. Get great deals on back to school shopping today! Have the best school year.
