This post has sponsored inclusions of Little Sleepies and johnnie-o, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"As the first day of school looms closer and closer, back-to-school clothes shopping usually accompanies the yearly tradition of picking out school supplies. And parents have a lot to consider when shopping for back-to-school clothes—like determining your child’s actual needs (“no, you don’t need another Spiderman T-shirt”), auditing their existing wardrobe, and checking the family budget.
It doesn’t help that young kids grow incredibly fast, many needing a near-full overhaul of their closet after a summer of sandals and shorts. Come fall, you might realize their toes are pretty snug in last year’s sneakers and their favorite pants look more like capris or unintentionally distressed denim. So where to begin? Going through their existing fall clothes is a good first step. Make a pile of everything that still fits and note any gaps in colors or clothing categories. Next, consult our ultimate guide for back-to-school clothes shopping below.
How we chose the best back-to-school clothes
Parents: We know you can relate when we say back-to-school clothes shopping isn’t just for the kids. Truly, nothing beats seeing your little one’s face light up at the sight of a new jacket or backpack. So, with the help of our well-seasoned moms on the team, we’ve put together a list of clothing items and accessories that your kids will need for back to school. We’ve also included shopping tips like how to find quality budget-friendly basics and noting which kids’ items are worth a little investment. Not only did we divide everything into specific categories, but we also included a variety of colors, patterns, and styles to choose from—so there’s something in here for every kiddo!
Your back-to-school clothes shopping guide
Basic Tops
Let’s face it: Soft, comfortable, and basic tops that can be easily mixed and matched will be what your children live in during the school year. If your kiddos are prone to ruining their tees quickly, budget-friendly multipacks are a great option.
Staple Bottoms
Comfortable bottoms that can take kids from the classroom to the playground to after-school activities are a must-have for the school year.
Easy Dresses
Easy dresses are the ideal one-step outfit for busy school mornings. Don’t forget to pick up some simple biker shorts to make the dresses playground-proof.
Layering Pieces
For the early fall days when it’s chilly in the morning but warm by afternoon, you’ll want to have some layering pieces on hand for your little one’s school drop-off.
Outerwear
As much as we might not want to think about cold weather and snow, it’s best to be prepared for anything the school year might bring. These are great pieces to invest in to get wear for multiple seasons (or even multiple kids!).
Shoes for Back to School
From slip-ons to fall boots to year-round sneakers, your kiddo will need a few staple shoes to choose from—and they’ve probably already grown out of last year’s school shoes.
Target | Cat & Jack
2 colors available
sizes little kid – big kid
Accessories
Allowing your kids to pick out a fun backpack is a great way to make back-to-school shopping a little more enjoyable. Don’t forget to pick up a few cute hair accessories and new socks, too.
Target | Cat & Jack
Target | Cat & Jack
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Welsh, Commerce Editor
As Commerce Editor, Jessica oversees and edits all shopping content on The Everymom—including everything from mom fashion to product reviews. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, gift guides, and more. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Kohl’s, and was previously a regular contributor to The Everygirl. Jessica believes that fashion should be accessible to everyone, so she is very determined to scour the internet for the best looks for less and affordable finds.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gianna Aldana, Commerce Editorial Assistant
As the Everymom’s Commerce Editorial Assistant, Gianna assists The Everymom editors in the production of new and existing articles, pitches and writes new content, and sources product for shopping listicles. With writing being one of her absolute passions, she enjoys sharing her expertise in all things related to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Before working at The Everymom, Gianna found her purpose in editorial content creation through internships at Bump Club and Beyond and The Pretty Palm Leaf Event Company.
This post has sponsored inclusions of Little Sleepies and johnnie-o, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.