When it comes to buy back to school clothing for children, it pays to be a little like Rachel Zoe . Skip all the catch phrases and wide leg pants, though, and focus more on pulling outfits together and seeing wardrobe options.
Really.
Working multi-functional items into the mix for your children means less headaches for you, and more importantly fewer dollars spent.
That’s not to say that you need to pack the closets with dual purpose items, but if you build a good base of staples that can be worn in two seasons, you’re golden.
So what counts as a dual purpose item? Some of my favorites include:
Simple jumpers or dresses: If you stick with jersey or knit in solids or prints that don’t scream seasonal wear, they’re perfect as-is when school begins and weather is hotter. As temps cool, layer with a long-sleeve T-shirt and a pair of tights or leggings and you’ve got another outfit or two, depending on how much you embrace the concept.
Cardigans: Lightweight cotton cardis are adorable all by themselves and add a level of sweetness when paired with a fancy dress (think Easter morning). They are the perfect piece to fend off the chill of late-summer, early-fall mornings at the bus stop. They are great layering pieces, too, when the weather just can’t make up its mind. Is it hot? Is it cold? No matter — a cardi, a short-sleeved T-shirt and jeans is an outfit full of weather-dependent options.
T-Shirts: This is one of my favorite styling tricks for my son, who’s list of acceptable clothing is getting smaller as he gets older (he’s nine). He does love T-shirts, so I try to size up when I buy for spring/summer. That way, when we get to fall, I don’t have to re-buy long sleeved shirts. I snatch a few long-sleeved Ts and layer under the short sleeves. He looks cool and I’ve saved a few dollars.
What about you? What are your favorite go-to pieces for back to school?
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