More back to school shopping...of the fashion kind

Personally, I love back to school shopping with the kids.  Even more than that, I love scoring a great deal.   I do a great deal of online "window shopping" prior to leaving the house so that I know what I'm looking for at each store and I know what to expect in terms of prices.  Inevitably, one or both of my children always find something not in the plan (like my son's new flip flops this year...very practical for late August, but on sale nonetheless).

I think we have mastered the art of saving on back to school shopping and last year I shared with you my list of MUST HAVES for back to school (click HERE to check out last year's post).    I have paired down my list a bit this year and focused really on things to start off the school year and cover the transition from summer wear to fall wear and that's it.   Of course, we have found shoes as well since flip flops just won't do for school.  We LIVE in flip flops all summer long...it's a sad day when the socks come out around here.

I hear many people saying they don't believe in back to school shopping yet and I totally understand that sentiment.  However, I have learned from years past that if you wait for the weather to change and hope to find some fall clothes, you may very well miss out.  Maybe you'll score a few sale deals, but more than likely you'll be faced with winter clothing.  Retail is soooo far ahead of where we are mentally that I start early.  In fact, I saw Halloween costumes already.  Crazy right?   Although, I too join that club and have listed my Halloween trick or treating bags in the shop and filled quite a few orders already.  Click HERE to see them.

I have a few tips to help you save on clothing this year and to help you make the most of your time.   

1.  Go through all of your children's fall/winter clothing NOW and try it ALL ON.  This is a very painful and long process around here, but well worth it.  Not only does it give me a chance to see what fits, but it also helps me see what styles they still like.  My daughter tastes changes faster than the wind so this is crucial with her.  Last year...all leggings.  This year...all skirts.   

2.  Lay out the items that do fit and assess what you might need to find to coordinate with these items.  For instance, maybe your child's favorite pants still fit, but they grew out of all tops from last year.  It's good to know what you need prior to leaving the house or you might come home with 10 shirts and have only 1 pair of pants.  This would equal a great deal of laundry to keep up!

3.  For the items that do not fit, consider consigning them.  This has been so profitable for us.   In fact, I just picked up a check for $70+ for summer clothing that was sold through my friend's consignment store.  And that was JUST summer clothing!!!  The clothes were of no use to use since they didn't fit, but they gave us money that we now can put towards new things.  It's a win-win for everyone.   

4.  Subscribe to your favorite store's email lists.  I have gotten so many coupons already this year from our favorites.  Just this morning I got 30% for 24 hours only.  I have seen free shipping, 25% your total order, $25 off $75 or more, BOGO...you name it, the coupons are everywhere right now.   Clip them before leaving for the store.

I thought I'd share a few of my "window shopping" and real-life finds with you in case you loathe shopping.  They are at all different price points and shops too!

There's always online shopping which has its own set of perks too if you like to do it from your own home.

I am shopping for a tween girl and a soon-to-be 6 year old boy so my finds are primarily centered around these ages.  I did add a few other favs that I would loved too!

(I have listed the store you can find each item and you can click on them to take you there!)

For Big Girls

Some trends I noticed for this year include:

All things that shimmer- I love a little bling especially on a little girl.  How cute are these sparkly things?

Old Navy

J. Crew Factory

Old Navy

Old Navy

Old Navy

Animal Print - By now you probably know that I have a zebra lover in my house.  All things zebra that is...bedding, school supplies, hair accessories, even her desk chair....BUT and a big BUT, I draw the line at clothing.  I just can't seem to find a love for zebra clothing.  We did have a cute t-shirt last year with a zebra on it, but that's all I can stomach.  Some of the other animal prints I think are cute though.  Check these out:

Gap

Gap

Gap

J Crew

Dolman sleeves and 3/4 Length Sleeve Tops - I think these are so darn cute...especially layered with a camisole.  My daughter has already stated that she can only wear them until coat season starts because she hates the feeling of her shirt in her coat when it's a 3/4 length sleeve shirt.  She's so my daughter...I feel the same exact way, but I love the look just the same.

Abercrombie Kids

Old Navy

Abercrombie Kids

Colored Jeans - These are EVERYWHERE this year...girls, women, boys and even for men.  I love the trend, but you wouldn't catch me in them.  I'm way too plain Jane, but I still think they are so great.  Here are a few colors I adore.

Gap

Old Navy

J. Crew

Moccasins and Sperry's -All I can say is that if you hold onto things long enough (which I never do), it all comes back in style.  I had both a great pair of moccasins and a pair of Sperry's back in the day, but neither were quite as fun as the ones around today.  My moccasins had little beading on them...anyone else remember those?

Land's End

Land's End

J.Crew

J.Crew

Zappos

I think I might have someone in my house that would go CRAZY for these!

Zappos

For Little Girls - For some reason, when I think of the little girls I automatically think of sweet little dresses.  I am so far past this phase now and I know they are not the most practical thing weather wise, but they are so darn cute just the same.

H&M

H&M

Land's End

And of course colored jeans for little girls...so great!

Old Navy

Old Navy

For Little Boys

I know I said this last year and I still stand by it, I like to dress my son like a little man and as long as he'll let me, I will continue to do so.

You can't tell me that isn't handsome?  Anyway, I am all for "dressing down" too and prefer the sporty, preppy look!

Layered shirts-  These continue to be "in" and we love them because my son is a peanut so it adds a little extra weight to him.

77 Kids

Gap

Preppy - I've always had a thing for the preppy boys.   I think this is a look that even when it's casual...it's still put together.   I'm all about it!

H&M

Land's End

Old Navy

Children's Place

Graphic Tees - I think my love of graphics in classic themes comes from my childhood.  As a kid, we didn't wear much logo wear and my kids really don't either.  But....I had a Ziggy (if you remember him) nightgown that I LOVED!!!!     What I love most though is that the humor and nostalgia is as much for the parents as anyone else.

Gap

J. Crew Factory

Old Navy

Mini Boden

That wraps up my Back to School shopping ideas and ways to save yourself some money.   Isn't it all about getting the most for what you have?   I hope you will find all that you and your children are in search of this year and that you will have few arguments over taste.  I wish this for myself as well...ha ha.

I have some fun ideas to get your children excited about back to school and some fun ways to celebrate for those of you who have not yet gone back over the next week.  Stay tuned!

Poshed Up

Ooh La La!

I can vividly remember shopping for back to school clothes on my annual visit to my grandparents house in North Carolina every year.   I LOVED going and getting new clothes for school.  I also remember wanting to wear all of it before school even started, but wearing sweaters in August didn't really make a ton of sense, so instead I just kept re-trying it all on.   A little obsessive compulsive preview I suppose.

We here have done all of our back to school shopping to hold us over until the true winter comes and Christmastime when we get some new things again.  We have gone clothes and shoe shopping and surprise, surprise....my daughter has worn everything already and school doesn't start until next week.

If you have already started in your area, this post may give you some ideas of some fun, fashionable and reasonably priced items.  I am not one to spend a lot on my childrens' clothes, or maybe I should say on any 1 item that is.  That being said, I care a little too much at times about what they look like so....I'm learned how to find the deals and great style with a small budget.

Here are my must-haves for back to school shopping for each child:

1.  Everyday shoes

2.  Boots (not rain or snow)

3.  Sneakers

4.  Vests

5.  Winter coat  (only if the one from the previous year is too small)

6.  Jeans/Jeggings/Leggings for Girl

7.  Jeans and Cords for Boy

8.  Sweater or Maybe Sweaters :)

9.  Dress or Dressy outfit for picture day (we generally re-purpose this for our Thanksgiving outfit)

Here are some things I LOVED for my daughter.  She is going into 4th grade, but many could translate to an older child too.  

This beauty would be perfect for picture day with a great pair of tights and boots.  It's from Mini Boden so it's a little pricier than I'd like to spend at $48...but boy is it cute. 

Or how about this sweet, sweet dress from Zara?  Drool....   also gorgeous with some tall boots or sweet ballet flats.  

And speaking of boots....I LOVE these and wish I could find them in my size.  Also from Mini Boden and WAY more than I would ever spend on a child's shoe.  

These are equally cute and definitely something I would buy.   I don't have my daughter convinced of how cute they are yet though.  These are from  The Children's Place and so much more realistically priced at only $29.95. 

My girlfriend found the cutest little shoes for little girls and I have to share them.  They are from Target and come in a variety of colors and I just love these.  Only wish I had some little feet to wear them.  

And... they are ONLY...ready for this $14.99.   At that price, you can get one of every color !

A few other pieces we invested in this year for my daughter were a jean jacket and some great sweaters.  The jean jacket will carry us through the early Fall and is a great layer that matches with absolutely everything.  It looks great with a dress, leggings, skirts and accesorizes really easily.  How cute is this look from Old Navy?   And I love this sweater also from Old Navy....it would make a great jacket in the early Fall.  And...it would provide a great layer over the graphic tees that my daughter seems to fall in love with....our area of disagreement! 

They even make the little girl version at Old Navy too....how sweet is this?  I  love the toggle buttons.  

 And as I mentioned previously, I think a great winter coat and vest are essential.  We are BIG into layering in our family and wear a sweater, vest and hat and gloves well into December.  This is my daughter last year in her sweater and vest.

 Here are a few I loved for both big and little girls because of their vibrant colors.  I am one who believes that color does not have to be saved for the summer and spring only.  

Love this vibrant color in the winter.   Great coat from Old Navy!

And I love this bright blue vest to add a splash of summer into those cold fall and winter days from Justice.

  And for little girls.... I love this coat from H&M....they really have amazing prices.  This classic peacoat is only $19.95.

Again from Old Navy...you can't beat their prices and the quality is really terffic!



 

 



 So that covers my major back to school must-have categories for girls, here are some of my favorites for little boys.  I didn't even tackle big boys because I think that's when you really lose control over your child's clothing choices....not that I have too much say with my 9 year old, but still a little influence you might say.

I personally like to dress my son like a mini man.  I'm not big into sweats and tees and as long as he'll let me, that's how it will be.  Here's a picture of the handsome devil last fall in his cords and layers with his boots...you can see them in the background mirror.

For shoes, I am ALL about a nice pair of boots on a boy.  Here are some that I have my eye on.

Of course I LOVE these boots from Mini Boden, but again cannot justify the price.  My little guy had a pair just like these last year that I found at the Gap Outlet so I'll have to keep looking.  But aren't they great? 

And these are more reasonable at $19.94 and still nice looking from my old standby....Old Navy.  And they have laces so we can start practicing our bunny ears.

Or how about these great hi-top sneaks....too cute!    Of  course...Old Navy.  Do you see why I get so many bucks back from their membership program?  ...lol

Here's a great look with the shoes, jeans and layers...so my style for my little dude!

 

                               Or this one from Gap Kids....again with the vest.

I really LOVE The Children's Place for little boy clothing.  Their clothes launder well and still look nice at a great price.  And...they have great coupons ALL THE TIME.  Just give them your email and you'll get tons.

Here is the vest we bought this year for my son....

 

And as mentioned earlier...I love my son to look like a little man.  What better way than with a great pair of cords, button down shirt and sweater.  Love this combo together.

                The Children's Place

                  The Children's Place

The Gap

Here's a few of my favorites to have a little fun with my son and a more relaxed style.   

Old Navy

crewcuts

Old Navy

So that wraps up my picks for Fall back to school fashion for kids.  If you share my taste in your kids' clothing...follow my kids' clothing page on pinterest by clicking here.  I am constantly e-window shopping and adding things to my list of must-pins/haves! 

I leave you with a picture of my little guys last year in the Fall in their layers and vests....

I hope you'll come back and visit because we will have great back to school lunchbox and snack ideas to share!  If you have any yourself, please email me at poshedup@gmail.com so I can include yours!

Poshed Up