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Back to School Fashion Guide

When I was younger going back to school meant shopping! I loved going out with my mom to find all of the perfect supplies and clothes that I needed to head into the school year feeling confident and ready! Now that my kids are headed to school I love to carry on that tradition. With everything from t-shirts to lunch boxes, here is a collection of all of our favorite back to school fashion finds this season. Whether they are headed to college or preschool, send your kids back to school in style!

We received a variety of samples for this post. All opinions are our own. 

BTSFASHION

Style Picks

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Great basics are the key to a functioning wardrobe and Polarn O. Pyret has your kiddos covered! With awesome colors and great prints their basic principle is that they make great looking clothes that let kids be kids. Clothes should be able to stand up to the wear and tear that come with kids! Instead of buying a “throw away t-shirt” invest in clothes that your kids can wear for a long time, and then it pass down to siblings or consignment shop because it will still be looking fantastic. Originally launched in Europe in 1976 with their iconic striped shirt, Polarn O. Pyret has been here in the United states for 3 years. I absolutely adore their clothing. I love their bright colored basic and timeless prints. My daughter has one of their twirl dresses and she can’t wear it without twirling in it wherever she goes. I love that I can send her out to play in it and I don’t have to worry about her ruining it! Find more styles you love for infants-big kids at Polarn O. Pyret. If they are good enough for Prince George, they are good enough for me!

 

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Tween or teen that loves the latest styles, but doesn’t want to pay retail prices? Visit T.J. Maxx or Marshalls to find brand names at a great price. T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are off-price retailers that offers styles from thousands of different brands you love at 20-60% less than department stores. They skip the gimmicks, promotions, and sales to give you upfront pricing that is affordable. They don’t stock their clothing based on seasons alone, so you’ll find new styles with your store’s weekly shipments. What will arrive will always be new and different, so each time you head into shop you’ll be able to find new gems and hidden treasures. Visit your local T.J. Maxx or Marshalls for a back to school wardrobe you can afford.

 

nn-ky5oScCrfI7HlKR7YKpIHMbl84H_bNJV-4IyiPTYIf the school your child is attending requires uniforms, then durability matters. Luckily, Cherokee offers a full assortment of uniform styles that can still give your child personality while being durable and affordable! Girl styles include cute picks like a button front blouse, a safari dress with a cinched waist and front pockets, or a darling knit scooter skirt with side button detailing. Boys will look stylish in a classic oxford shirt, flat front shorts and pants, a full assortment of colorful polos, and a blazer. Add in your own hints of style with a colorful belt, bright leggings, or add a tie or cardigan to finish off your look. Cherokee’s school uniform styles are available at Target stores and online.

 

Enjoy Essentials

If your kids are anything like mine, than comfort rules all. My kids live in comfortable t-shirts and pants that feel great running and playing in. I love to add a little personality to their choices with shirts from Enjoy Essential. With great lines like “On Wednesdays We Wear Pink” or “I Don’t Do Mornings” your kids will love their awesome line of graphic tees. Pair those tees with their comfy leggings or harem pants and you have the perfect outfit for playing it up on the playground. You can feel even better about shopping when you know about EE Gives Back. At the end of each month Enjoy Essential counts up how many shirts they have sold, and for each one purchased, they purchase one meal for someone in need, right in their hometown. My kids have to have clothes for school, but if buying those clothes can help others, I am all for that! Find more of their great products on their website. P.S. They have stuff for moms too!

 

Fabkids

FabKids is always one of the first places I shop for my kids when grabbing their back to school threads. The ease of shopping with them is unmatched. FabKids lets you take a short survey abut your child and then they produce a list of outfits that match your child’s needs and personality. They have amazing back to school deals for their V.I.P members including dresses starting at $16.95, sneakers starting at $19.95, Tutus starting at $7.95, and leggings 3 for $19.95! Those are stock up prices for sure! I will be grabbing a ton of leggings, my daughter adores their soft leggings for layering with dresses, shirts, and tunics. We are loving all the shoe options they have this season. As always you can get a whole outfit for $29.95, talk about a good deal for a whole outfit. Take your style quiz and get started saving here.

 

Backpacks & Lunch

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A backpack is one of the few back to school items that you wear every single day, it is so important that you find the perfect one! This year’s styles are all about patterns that pop. From bright designs to bold colors, there is a backpack for everyone on Portmantos.com. The premier online boutique for luggage and all things travel, e-tail expert Portmantos carries a wide selection of unique backpacks that will actually make you excited for the coming school year. I am currently loving the Dakine Prom 25L backpack. It comes is some amazing prints and is priced very affordably at $55. With amazing pocket and features it will keep all your supplies organized and accessible. If this bag is not the one for you, Portmantos has something you are sure to love with great options from amazing brands like Dakine, Kipling, and Tumi.

 

Planetbox

Besides a backpack, your lunchbox is one of the most used back to school items. If your child takes their lunch to school everyday, a heavy duty, high quality lunchbox is a must have this school year. No one does lunch better than Planetbox. Not only will this lunchbox last for a long time, warrantied for 5 years in fact, it also takes all the work out of packing a lunch. It’s compartments serve as a guide for what and how much to pack for your child. They create less trash and their boxes are non-toxic, non-leaching, safe from BPA, phthalates, and lead. They are dishwasher safe and their stainless steel does’t retain odors or stains. My son adores his Planetbox Rover lunchbox with Dinosaur Magnets and can’t wait to show it to all of his friends this year. Customize your Planetbox here, and change the way you pack lunches this year.

 

stuck on you

Now that you have the perfect shoes, clothes, and school supplies, how do you make sure that they stay yours? Stuck on you! It is amazing how quickly a kid can loose all their stuff, and that can be so frustrating as a mom. In my son’s pre-K class he is required to have a pair of shoes that stay at school. Once winter hits they use these shoes as inside shoes so that their snow boots don’t track cold wet slush all over the classroom. I wanted to make sure that in the craziness of a bunch of 4-year-olds finding their shoes, that he could easily find his. Stuck On You is our solution! Stuck On You is a family owned kids business specializing in Name Labels and personalized products and gifts! We found labels for my sons shoes as well as his coat, gloves, backpack, lunch box and more! You can get 30% off AND free shipping. Use code GET30 at checkout.

 

Shoes & Accessories

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Start them with the right foot forward with quality shoes from Keen Footwear. They offer really cute, durable styles that will hold up against recess! The Coronado Print is a classic canvas sneaker with bright, bold prints featuring cars, robots, flowers or palms, and geometric patterns! This pair is made with adhesive-free vulcanized rubber for a minimal environmental footprint. Choose a pair like the Chandler CNX for quality tennis shoes with a breathable mes lining and great support. This pair has non-marking rubber outsole and a multi directional sole pattern to increase traction. Newport H2 is made with a quick-dry webbing so the shoes can go in and out of the water, and anywhere else. Plus, they are easy for kids to put on and take off with an elastic cord for tightening and a hook and loop strap for securing. Keen understands how many different activities our lives can take, and their shoes are ready for the challenge. Visit Keen Footwear to check out all their styles.

 

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Start them out right with the very basics by Fruit of the Loom. They have all the undergarments they will need including crew neck undershirts and boxer briefs for boys and men and fun print panties for girls and women. They also carry basic tops, bras, activewear, and socks to fill out all the basics of your wardrobe. My boys love the fun prints the Fruit of the Loom Boxer Briefs come in, and as a mom I appreciate how well these bottoms keep them covered. For a limited time during back to school season, look for the seasonal bonus packs with up to 3 extra items-per-pack included at the same low price, making this the perfect time to restock your basics! You can find Fruit of the Loom at Target, Walmart and other local retailers.

 

Stonz

It is never too early to start thinking about winter. When school shopping I always keep my eye out for boots, gloves, and coats for my kids. Those biting winter mornings always seem to sneak up on me each year and leave us scrambling last minute for warm gear that fits. This year my kids are wearing Stonz Bootz and Mittz. These Winter Bootz are super lightweight and made with kids in mind. They have a slip resistant sole plus a 600D nylon upper making a boot that will withstand temperatures down to -50oC/-58oF. Available in 5 colours, they’re suitable for children up to 14 years of age! My kids beg me to wear them even on sunny days! Their Mittz are designed to stay securely on, while keeping the cold out. I love that they have a clip that keep the two Mittz together when they are not in use. No more digging for the match! Head over to the Stonz website to check out all their options from infants up to 14 years.

 

peppercorn kidsBack to school fashion is all about accessorizing and making your outfits really pop. Adding the perfect clothing layers through vests, neck scarves, jewelry, gloves, and hats, Peppercorn Kids offers a wide variety of stylish clothing options for both boys and girls. Peppercorn Kids’ Fringe Vest styles easily with everything from dresses to long sleeved shirts. Another one of my favorite pieces from Peppercorn Kids is their Green Multi-Print Scarf. Whether your child wears this scarf around their neck, knotted under their chin, or tied as a hair wrap, the possibilities are endless. Available in a variety of prints and colors, there are neck ties perfect for every outfit. Be sure to check out Peppercorn Kids for chic back to school accessories.

 

jojomamanbebeMy favorite part of back to school fashion is warm fall clothing. Now available in the US, Jo Jo Maman Bebe offers French and British styled clothing, toys, nursery products, and furnishings perfect for every back to school budget. Designed for children, moms, and expecting mothers, Jo Jo Maman Bebe will add a little European flavor to your wardrobe. Whether you’re looking for a stylish new pair of Children’s Wellies (rain boots) or Reversible Hooded Sweatshirts, you will instantly fall in love with Jo Jo Maman Bebe.

 

Jewelry

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A charm bracelet is a really fun way to show off your personality and interests. Each bracelet is completely custom and unique by adding the charms that represent something to you. Soufeel offers a huge assortment of beautiful charms – everything from your zodiac sign and birthstones to symbols of love and to represent interests. They even offer Memorable Charms that let you pick a charm base and upload an image to create a truly one-of-a-kind charm that features a picture of a loved one, favorite trip, pet, or anything else you hold dear. Add your charms to a 925 Sterling Silver beautiful quality bracelet or leather band. Visit Soufeel to start customizing your own charm bracelet.

 

Baby-G

School means schedules and schedules mean being on time. Baby-G makes sure you are arriving on time and looking good. They have oodles of stylish new timepieces that will have your student confident and trendy, like the BA120LP launching this September! These timepieces are perfect for teens as they are shock and water resistant and have a great price range of $120! I am loving the trendy silver and gold leopard print faces and black and white bands respectively, I am grabbing one for myself as well. I have had a Baby-G watch in the past and it continues to be one of my favorite pieces of all time. Find out more about all of their watches here.

 

Carolee

My mom always taught me that accessories can make or break an outfit. It is a rule I continue to live by as an adult. When it comes to high quality accessories my go to shop is Carolee jewelry. Carolee has been creating beautiful jewelry for over 40 years! Whether you are looking for a bold statement piece for your first day of your collegiate career or some simple everyday studs for your daughter to wear, Carolee has what you are looking for at a great price and the quality can’t be beat. Just imagine presenting the special girls in your life with a back to school gift from Carolee. I know my daughter would treasure those pieces forever. I have been wearing my Precious Gems Flower Necklace with everything lately. It works with jeans and a t-shirt just as beautifully as a skirt!

 

For Hair

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In addition to their perfect outfits, my kids always want their hair styled just so for that first day of school. SoCozy makes our go to hair care products for our family. Tangles, frizzies, flyaways and bedhead—the challenges of kids’ hair have finally met their match. These products are amazing. They smell great and get the job done right. My favorite thing about them? No nasties in there; just good, clean, honest formulations. SoCozy is always safe and effective, and completely non-toxic. Every night we wash my kid’s hair with their Cinch line of shampoos and conditioners. my little girl loves the way these smell and always asks to smell the bottle while I put them in her hair. Then, each morning as we prepare for the day I use Behave Styling Cream to tame my sons crazy bedhead. SoCozy products have revolutionized our morning and evening routines just in time for back to school.

 

Simbi

Having the perfect accessories are a must when it comes to your hair. What could be easier than a hairband that doubles as a bracelet. Simbi’s gorgeous, handmade hair bracelets, are the perfect way to tie your hair in with your outfit. They won’t damage your hair and don’t even leave crease in the middle from your pony tail. Besides just the hair bracelets, they also make headbands. Me and my daughter share them, we both love them. The best part about purchasing these adorable accessories is each Simbi sold purifies one gallon of water per day for a person in Haiti. You can shop knowing you are getting a high quality handmade product, plus helping those in need. Pretty rad. Find out more about Simbi products here.

Which of these back to school styles do you love?

Ashley Sears

Thursday 27th of August 2015

I love shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. They have such great deals on quality clothes and accessories.

Ourfamilyworld

Thursday 27th of August 2015

These are great picks! When I was young, I looked forward to back to school shopping, too.

Jenny

Wednesday 26th of August 2015

My youngest daughter is all about the fashion!! These are great ideas for kids for back to school fashion!

Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert

Wednesday 26th of August 2015

Going back to school is such a good time for kids to reassess their style and try and create their new look!

Dawn McAlexander

Wednesday 26th of August 2015

Those are some great picks for back to school. TJ Maxx and Marshall's are both great places to shop.

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