Don’t Miss These Back-to-School Outfit Ideas, Because It’s Already That Time Again (2024)

Everything old is new again. Vans are, once again, hugely popular and incredibly easy to style and walk in — and your kids will love every minute of these timeless shoes at part of their back-to-school outfits.

They're easy to get on, easy to get off, machine-washable, and oddly chic in the right situation. They're the perfect "run around" shoe.

More: Check Out The Best School Supplies

Not only did I just buy this shirt for my daughter, I think I also owned it in middle school in 1999. I believe I gave it to a girl at an Ani DiFranco concert, but don't worry — I already told my daughter that people rarely give back comfortable T-shirts or hoodies. Or Tupperware.

It's a soft, cotton-blend, long-sleeve tee that could be worn easily with jeans or sweats, or even khakis. It's cozy perfect.

This is arguably a very good-looking jacket, especially for the price. Bombers are back in a big way for everyone this year, not just teenagers.

Under $30 and reasonably warm, and really? It's not a hoodie, so I'm calling it a win.

Bless Crocs and all their ugly comfortable glory. No one is more thrilled than we are that these practical shoes are finally getting the love they deserve.

They are the most comfortable shoes on planet Earth, and the fact that Gen Z leans so heavily into comfort is a spectacular sign for the future.

Is there anything better than a pair of shorts that looks and acts like a skirt? Yes, one in a fun daisy pattern like this pair.

And if you’re dubious about the pattern, I asked no fewer than six teens on my daughter’s group chat if this is cute or not. They all said “Yeah, it’s so Y2K,” which it clearly is not, but I digress.

I legitimately just bought this for my son who immediately rambled off a bunch of names of people who wear a cardigan just like this one. He's going to be pairing it with jeans and probably a neon-colored tee shirt and, of course, Crocs with too many charms on them.

The sweater is warm without being bulky, and the blend is durable and soft. The boxy shape is popular right now for everyone, so your kid will fit right in.

I don’t hate low-rise jeans and I don’t hate that they’re back. This is only partly because I kept all of my low-rise jeans. They’re still too big for my daughter, though, so I picked up this pair from PacSun, with more than a little nostalgia as I did it.

They're pre-distressed, in a light blue denim that has just enough "wear" look at the knees to be cool without being hard to care for.

I definitely just bought this T-shirt in two sizes: One for me and one for my daughter. Hilariously enough, Blondie predates me, so she’s saying it’s “PopPop and Gigi music,” which is true, her grandfather loves Blondie.

It's an inexpensive, comfortable tee shirt that will only get better with wear.

“Beach sweatpants” might sound like an oxymoron, but if you have a teenager, you know they wear pretty much the same thing all year round.

Or it might be the palm trees on the side. It could be that.

Made of a durable jersey with soft interior, these sweatpants will be an instant closet-favorite. Just wash and wear.