Gleefully saying goodbye to what has felt like the longest summer of my life means also saying hello, once again, to a new school year. This means gathering school supplies, getting haircuts, and preparing their outfits. There’s always something extra fun and special about putting together my kids’ first-day-of-school outfits. Perhaps it’s because I know I only have a few opportunities to do it before they’ll want to pick out their own outfits.
I really enjoy dressing my kids up for their first day of school as a way to celebrate the occasion and, hopefully, encourage them to feel more excited about the new school year. So, today I thought I’d share a round-up of cute back-to-school outfits that would be perfect for your child’s first day.
If you’re into neutral styles, check out my list from zara kids for fall
14 Cute Back To School Outfits: Kicking Off The School Year in Style
Back To School Outfits For Girls
When I think of school outfits for girls, I think of clothes that are stylish, comfortable, and practical. Whenever possible, I like to include fun prints and patterns that feature their interests, as well as pieces that highlight their sense of style.
You’ll notice the outfits in this post are primarily suited to children going into pre-k, kindergarten, or elementary school. In my experience, once a child reaches middle school, they would much rather pick out their own clothes. That said, I did share my favorite school clothes for tweens and teenagers in this post, if you’re looking for outfit ideas for girls in middle school or high school.
Now, let’s first take a look at my favorite back-to-school outfits for girls.
Cotton Dress & Colorful Leggings
A cute dress worn over leggings is a great combination for active girls. Simple cotton dresses are great for mixing and matching to create numerous outfits. Alternatively, a print dress is a fun way to create a youthful yet trendy look that shows off your daughter’s personality. Pair them with colorful leggings and sneakers for a sweet, practical outfit choice.
Jeans & Graphic Tee
If your daughter feels the most confident in this cool and classic combo, you’re in luck, because there are endless graphic tees and jeans to choose from. You can choose between several types of jeans, from flared jeans to denim jeggings, the latter of which is my favorite for young girls. Then, all she needs is one of these back to school hairstyles for girls and a pair of Converse and she’s really got the cool girl thing down.
If she doesn’t own a pair of jeggings yet, I highly recommend getting some. Jeggings are a wonderful kid-friendly alternative to skinny jeans. They look nearly identical to classic jeans, but they’re a lot more comfortable, which means they’re also much easier to move around in.
Skort & T-Shirt
A solid-colored skort offers much of the same versatility as a pair of jeans. Don’t get me wrong, denim skirts are so cute, but they can be pretty restrictive and uncomfortable. Skorts, on the other hand, offer plenty of coverage, and the ones made of cotton or a similar knit fabric are a lot more comfortable.
To give you an idea of how to style a girls’ skort for school, I paired this Knit Patch Pocket Skort from Cat & Jack at Target with these basic tees.
Skirtall/Shortall & Cotton Tee
Overalls, shortalls, and skirtalls are also great for mixing and matching. They can be paired with various shirts and tops to create different outfits. For example, you can pair this cute Cat & Jack skirtall with one of these solid color tees for an easy first day of school outfit. Plus, when it gets cool in the fall, you can swap the tee for a warmer base layer and add stockings.
Tutu Dress & Knee-High Socks
Here’s another fantastic back to school outfit idea for girls. A tutu dress is a great option for the girl who can’t imagine wearing anything other than a fabulous dress for the first day of school. I would pair it with knee-high socks in a solid color, but these unicorn knee-high socks would look super cute with the pink tulle dress!
Matching Set
Matching sets are everywhere these days, so you have a lot of options to consider. But while it might be hard to pick just one, part of the appeal of a matching set is one-step dressing. If you’d rather skip the process of deciding which pieces to mix and match, go with a matching set. Your daughter will look great and feel confident, and it’ll save you a few extra minutes in the morning before school.
Here are three of my favorite matching sets for girls to consider for their first day of school outfits:
- Girls’ 2pc Knit Short Ruffle Sleeve Top & Skirt Set – Cat & Jack
- 2-piece Fine-knit Cotton Set
- Matching two-piece shirt and shorts set
Back To School Outfits For Boys
I know I’m not alone in voicing my frustration with shopping for boys’ clothes. While plenty of boys couldn’t care less about what they’re wearing as it’s comfortable, the boys who actually do care often have a very limited selection to pick through.
Add in the fact that for many pre-k through elementary-aged boys, what they’re going to wear on the first day isn’t a priority as they approach a new school year, and this fun occasion starts to feel more like a chore.
My hope is that by sharing several back-to-school outfit ideas for boys I can help make the process easier and maybe even a little fun.
Button Up Shirt & Jeans
First is a timeless classic, a button-up shirt and jeans. What this outfit will ultimately look like comes down to a few particulars: the fit of the jeans and the style and material of the shirt. Personally, I like sticking with true classics, so I would pick straight-leg jeans and pair them with a long-sleeve cotton button up shirt. The sleeves can be rolled at the cuffs and worn unbuttoned over a white tee for a cool, first day of school outfit.
Casual Trousers & Striped Tee
Next, is a French-inspired outfit for the boy who wants to start the school year in style. I see this outfit as one that moms and sons can agree on. It’s a step above casual and comfortable enough to wear all day long. The light beige cotton joggers in this 3-pack from H&M would work great for this outfit (and many more), as well as this super soft striped t-shirt from Old Navy.
Chino Pants & Polo
If you’re trying to put together a nice outfit for his first day of school but your son doesn’t like getting “dressed up,” a polo shirt is a happy medium. Pair it with relaxed-fit chinos and the shoes of your choosing and don’t forget to take that first day of school picture!
Hooded T-Shirt & Printed Pants
This is another outfit option that’s just as comfortable as it is stylish. There’s a good chance it’s going to become one of your son’s favorite outfits. What boy wouldn’t feel cool in a basic tee for everyday? Add a pair of printed pants featuring dinosaurs, sharks, vehicles, or another one of his favorite things and you have an outfit that might actually get him excited about the first day of school.
Cargo Shorts & Graphic Tee
The cargo short is an essential part of a boy’s wardrobe. They’re comfortable, stylish, and versatile enough to wear for nearly any occasion. For an effortless first-day-of-school outfit, pair his cargo shorts with a graphic tee. He’ll walk into school on the first day looking and feeling good.
Athletic Pants & Logo Tee
The key here is choosing pieces that look sporty yet put together. Baggy or oversized sweats and a mismatched t-shirt might be your son’s go-to look at home, you probably don’t want him looking like he’s wearing the same clothes he slept in for his first day of school.
Here’s my advice: grab a pair of tapered or slim-leg athletic pants and a coordinating shirt. I like the Under Armour Boys’ Logo Short Sleeve Tee Shirt and Brawler 2.0 Tapered Pants for a sporty first day of school outfit. Add the Under Armour Surge 4 Running Shoes for the full effect.
Matching Sweatsuit
A matching sweatsuit, or tracksuit, is the boy’s version of a matching set. Effortless, stylish, cool, and definitely comfortable. Here are some great outfit options to consider for an easy first-day-of-school outfit for boys:
How Many Outfits For Back To School?
Every year around this time, parents flock to social media and online forums to try and determine how many outfits they should buy for the upcoming school year, and every year the answers vary. Many parents agree on 4-5 new outfits and 1-2 new pairs of shoes for their school-bound child, but there are plenty of parents who think otherwise. So, here’s my take.
Before you can determine how many outfits to buy your child for the new school year, consider how many they already own, and the fit and condition of those clothes. How many school-appropriate outfits can you create with those clothes? The more mix-and-match pieces you have, the more outfits you can create.
There are other factors to consider too, like your laundry schedule and family budget, but let’s keep this as simple as possible. Your child needs a school outfit five days a week so five total outfits should be the minimum. Closer to ten would be ideal. But the truth is that there is no one right answer. With so many factors at play, you should decide on a number that works for your situation. You might not figure it out in time for the first day of school, but by the second or third week of school, trust me, you’ll know.
Start the school year off right with a cute back-to-school outfit!
Who’s more excited about the new school year, you or your kids? I think I might be excited enough for all of us! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the outfits I shared in this post. If you loved them, hated them, or fell somewhere in between, share in the comments!
If you’re looking for more back-to-school ideas, check out these back-to-school activities for toddlers!
