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30 Stylish Back-to-School Outfits Your Teens Will Actually Love
Start the new school year in style!

We all know the best part about back-to-school shopping is the supplies, but new clothes follow close behind! Get back-to-school outfit inspo with these on-trend ideas that'll have you excited to return to campus this fall.
Having just spent literally hundreds of dollars buying back-to-school clothes for my teen and tween, I feel like I've been into the belly of the beast and come out the other end more educated on teen trends and a lot poorer.
To choose these, ( spent countless hours watching TikTok (for research, obviously) combed through my own kids’ purchases (they’re very fashion-forward Brooklyn kids), and found out what’s trending, what’s not, and what teens want the most this year for their back-to-school outfits. This year, it’s all about mixing high and low, sporty and proper, and absolutely no skinny jeans or side parts.
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.
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.
The only thing that differentiates us from animals is our ability to accessorize, right? This bag is the ideal in-between size that has room for all you need and a little extra. Plus, the sage color is almost neutral, which means it will pair easily with nearly any back-to-school outfit.
SHEIN Plus Allover Floral Print Shirred Waist Wide Leg Shorts

SHEIN Plus Allover Floral Print Shirred Waist Wide Leg Shorts
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.
New Arrival Eco Light Blue Ripped Low Rise Baggy Jeans

New Arrival Eco Light Blue Ripped Low Rise Baggy Jeans
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.
A bold print on a light shirt that would look fantastic layered with other shapes or under a jacket is a pretty big win. It's reasonably priced and definitely fashion-forward for teens of all ages and style preferences.
These are pure Y2K, and they’re just tons of fun. They’re strappy, probably borderline comfortable thanks to the platform, and they’re under $40. They’re great for algebra class or homecoming, and if they get destroyed (which they will), you won’t want to cry over it, thanks to their affordable price.
Cider Curve & Plus Solid Pocket Jumpsuit With Belt

Cider Curve & Plus Solid Pocket Jumpsuit With Belt
Cider has been killing it lately with their new lines, and this jumpsuit is a good example of why. This curvy jumpsuit is sleek and sophisticated while also remaining very youthful and cute. It's a daintier version of a worker's coveralls, and we're here for it.
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.
Chunky sneakers have been popular since Yeezys made their debut — and this version from Vans is the less-pricey cousin of that sneaker. It’s also a bit more approachable in its style. It should be noted that it’s one of the most comfortable sneakers out there right now.
Kids looking for fancy relaxed pants are in luck. There's a subtle design on the side that adds a level of style that is becoming the regular for teenagers, unlike when I was a teen, and it was all about who could buy the jeans that could fit three grown men in each leg.
Cat Bowen has been writing about all things parenting for well over a decade. She spends her days researching, reviewing, and testing everything from strollers to breast pumps to changing tables. Her work has been featured in Romper, Bustle, and franchised across dozens of media outlets. In her spare time she loves volunteering at her kids' schools, reading everything she can get her hands on, running, and cooking for her family.

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