I used to love back-to-school shopping.

If I'm being honest, I liked shopping for school supplies more than I liked shopping for school clothes, but that was mostly because it never seemed like the stores in Montana had clothes that matched Montana's seasons.

For example, if you went back to school shopping in August, many stores were already carrying their fall collection. So, you'd buy a sweater, but you wouldn't be able to wear it for at least a month.

But if you did buy something more weather-appropriate for August (like shorts), it was too cold to wear shorts by the end of September. Then again, maybe this is why we see so many Montanans wearing shorts all year long.

Part of back-to-school shopping seems to always coincide with trips to donation centers. You clear out the clothes from the previous year that don't fit anymore to make room for the new clothes you'll buy when you're back-to-school shopping.

That's why I'm surprised somebody didn't think of this sooner, but it seems like a fantastic idea on Target's part.

Take Your Old Denim to Target in Montana for One Week

According to a Target press release from July 29, Target is starting a new program that's part of its Target Circle program and it's available in all of its stores, including those in Montana.

If you bring in your used denim, during the week of August 4-10, you can get a 20% on new denim purchased with Target Circle.

They do have some stipulations:

  • It's only five items, but it doesn't matter how worn out they are. They say then can be in "any condition."
  • You'll get a promo code for 20% new denim.
  • You'll have to get that new denim during that same week: August 4-10. You can't save it and use it later.

Read the full details here. 

I could see something like this working at other back-to-school-shopping stores, too. Imagine if shoe stores tried something like this. I'm guessing Target is focusing on jeans because it's a material that can be recycled. It would be great to see other jean retailers do something like this, too.

Keep in mind, there are also great second-hand and thrift options around Montana that are worth checking out for back-to-school shopping, which is also a sustainable clothing option.

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