I used to shop for myself when the fall collections hit stores, now the most exciting emails in my inbox are children’s brands announcing Back to School or Fall Collections: Oso and Me, La Coqueta, Maisonette. My daughter Alice, 2, starts pre-school this fall, my son, Arthur, 4, is going into his third year. By July, I was already thinking about what they’ll wear the first few weeks. For both of them I like a navy base palette, it goes with everything and is a softer version of black. For Artie I like a vintage prep vibe, which Gap Kids is great at, a striped rugby shirt, mom jeans. For Alice a Peter Pan collar blouse or a Petit Bateau sailor dress. Everything must be machine-washable and able to transition to different parts of the day.
I love doing drop-off in the morning and one of my favorite parts is seeing the different styles of kids–or, let’s be honest, parents–on display; from the midtown vest finance bro to the tiny Miss Frizzle in her crayola print dress to the GOAT-in-training tiny gymnast in spandex and slicked back bun. Below, some back-to-school shopping suggestions from T-shirts to barrettes to pencil cases.
Young Rushmore
A tiny Jason Schwartzman in the making? Your Wes Anderson-coded kid will be thrilled with these picks.
Team USA 2032
This kid is a soon-to-be GOAT. Get them set with their sporty essentials after watching every single floor routine of the Olympics.
Little Grouse on the Prairie
The prairie girl trend is here to stay, let’s get your tiny Willa Cather suited up for her one-room school house.
Geriatri-Chic
Call them Grand-Alphas (remember Grand-Millennials?), these tykes are wise beyond their years and like to dress the part with cable knit and chintz to boot.
Dogue Kid
They’re obsessed with getting a Sheepadoodle but for now will have to be satisfied with a dachshund on a sweater.