How to Elevate The Next Gen’s Back-to-School Style

I have an aversion to pink that I trace back to a lower-school bully making fun of an outfit I wore around age eight. Luckily, as I grew up, I owned every other aspect of my personal style enough to leave the rest of the color palette in my closet intact. Before I developed a focus or interest in style, my fashion-forward mom was to thank for all my back to school looks. She’d study the trends in Europe then recreate them back home. I was afraid to rock Marks & Spencer instead of Abercrombie & Fitch after the aforementioned pink incident, but that year, my mom taught me a valuable lesson: Being a trendsetter is so much better than simply falling in line with what’s already on-trend.

So, as the parents in our network start their school shopping, we’ve found the staples and statements that are worth investing in. As back to school outfits take the place of swimsuits and camp uniforms, these are the wide-leg pants and crewneck sweaters to add to your carts. These looks are for the kids destined to stand out. Here are the back to school fashion finds for the kids that are preppy, retro, and anywhere in between.

Back-to-School Clothes

Today’s dress code requires versatility. Think mini skirts, long sleeves, joggers, cardigans, and fall-forward staples. This school year, your kindergartener might be mistaken for a high school senior or a college freshman–but we promise that they’re still a decade or more away from moving into a dorm room.

Corduroy Straight Brown Pants

Corduroy Straight Pants

Striped Wool Blend Cardigan

Cotton Sweatshirt

Classic Oxford Shirt

Patch Straight Leg Pants

Devi Frill Drawstring-Waist Playsuit

Logo Denim Shirt

Back-to-School Accessories

When it comes to accessories, we’d go for practicality with an edge. These pieces should be as fun as the kids that are wearing them. Fashion trends from the runway and TikTok might have your eight-year-old rocking comfy slip-on sneakers with retro-style Gucci lunch bags this year.