School shopping goes wrong in the same way every August: someone walks into a store without a list and walks out with six graphic tees and no pants that fit. I'd rather a family spend twenty minutes at home first. Pull everything out, have the student try on the bottoms and shoes, and check the school's clothing rules before anything is bought. What's left over is a short list of real gaps. Below are fifteen stores I'd send families to, sorted by what each one actually does well, from cheap elementary basics and uniforms to teen denim, sportswear and secondhand finds for college.
Twenty Minutes in the Bedroom Saves an Afternoon at the Mall
The single most useful thing I do with a family before school shopping is a try-on session at home. Kids grow unevenly. A child can stay in the same shirt size for two years and jump a full shoe size over one summer, so you can't trust last spring's sizes.
- Start with shoes and bottoms, since those are what kids outgrow first. Pants should reach the top of the shoe when the student is standing, and there should be about a thumb's width of room past the longest toe.
- Have them sit, squat and raise both arms. Waistbands that dig in when seated and shirts that ride up past the belly button go in the outgrown pile.
- Check the knees and hems of jeans. Thin knees and frayed back hems on otherwise good pants mean this year's pair needs to be tougher, not just bigger.
- Hold up what's left against the school's dress code. Rules on shorts length, leggings, logos and shoe type tend to change between grades.
- Write the list by category with a number next to each: three pairs of pants, five tops, one warm layer, one pair of sneakers. That number is what keeps the cart honest.
With that list in hand, the store matters far less than it seems. You're filling gaps, not building a whole wardrobe from scratch.
1. Old Navy Back To School Clothes
Old Navy is where I'd start a basics run on a tight budget. The racks usually hold graphic tees, polos, jeans, leggings, joggers and uniform-friendly pieces in kids' and teen sizes. My go-to rotation from here is two pairs of straight-leg jeans, a handful of soft tees, one zip hoodie and a clean pair of sneakers. For a stricter dress code, a polo, chinos and a cardigan cover most rules. Their cheaper cotton tees can twist at the side seams after a few washes, so compare a multipack against one better single before buying five. It also helps when siblings need similar basics in different colors so no one is dressed as a twin.
2. Target Back To School Clothes
Target's real advantage is the one-trip errand: clothes, sneakers, a backpack and the notebook list in a single cart. For younger kids I reach for pull-on pants, a cotton top and a zip hoodie, because elastic waists mean they can handle the bathroom alone. Teens can mix cargo pants, fitted basics and a denim jacket, with a light overshirt over a printed tee for the first warm weeks. Activewear, uniforms, socks and rain layers are usually here too. If the size you need is online but not on the shelf, store pickup saves a second visit, and checking Target Circle before paying is worth the extra minute.
3. Walmart Back To School Clothes
A small budget can still produce a wardrobe that works together. At Walmart I'd buy the plain stuff: several tops that all go with two or three bottoms, one sweatshirt and everyday sneakers. Wide-leg jeans with a striped tee and white sneakers is an easy outfit to copy. Little kids do best with pull-on joggers, a bright cotton shirt and shoes with hook-and-loop straps they can fasten themselves. Uniform families will find polos, khakis, cardigans and plain socks in the usual colors. At this price point I always turn a garment inside out, because loose threads and thin seams show you which pieces will survive the washing machine.
4. Kohl’s Back To School Clothes
Kohl's is useful when a family wants known brands, store labels, athletic wear and accessories in one place. A middle schooler could wear Levi's jeans, a plain tee, an Under Armour hoodie and supportive sneakers. A college student might pick straight trousers, a fitted knit, a denim jacket and a roomy tote. For younger kids, joggers and printed shirts in machine-washable cotton are the safe buys. The promotions change constantly, so I tell clients to ignore the percentage on the sign and look at the final cart total after coupons and rewards. Buy jeans, neutral layers and shoes first, then let small accessories add the color.
5. JCPenney Back To School Clothes
JCPenney carries a lot of brands at once, which makes it handy for kids of very different ages. You'll find uniforms, denim, casual tops, athletic pieces, shoes and outerwear. Dark straight-leg jeans, a striped knit top, a light jacket and slip-on sneakers look tidy without trying hard. For uniforms, a tucked polo with adjustable-waist khakis and a cardigan is the one I lean on, since the inner button tabs let a waist grow with a child for a season. Teens can layer a cropped sweater over a longer camisole to stay inside the rules. Sizing jumps between brands here, so check measurements, and look up online stock before driving over for an unusual uniform color.
6. Macy’s Back To School Clothes
Macy's makes sense when one household needs kids' clothes, teen fashion, college basics, shoes and coats from several brands in one stop. A teen classic: Levi's jeans, a cotton polo, clean sneakers and a light bomber. For college, tailored trousers with a crewneck knit, loafers and a structured backpack look put together on day one. Younger kids need zip-front layers they can pull off in a warm classroom. Fit varies noticeably from brand to brand, so I check each size chart rather than assuming last year's size. The sale section is where I'd look for the higher-priced items like coats and shoes.
7. Gap Back To School Clothes
Gap suits the student who wants plain, well-cut clothes and has no interest in loud graphics. Straight jeans, a striped long-sleeve shirt, a denim jacket and leather-look sneakers is a combination I'd happily repeat all semester. Smaller kids can live in soft joggers and a logo sweatshirt. Older students can try wide-leg trousers with a fitted tee and cardigan, which takes them from class to an after-school job. The colors are mostly neutral, so most pieces work with each other. Read the fit description carefully, because "relaxed" and "oversized" are different cuts, and check clearance before paying full price on denim or jackets.
8. H&M Back To School Clothes
H&M is where I'd let a teen try a new shape cheaply. Loose jeans with a fitted ribbed top, an oversized button-down, retro sneakers and a shoulder bag reads current without much spending. A pleated midi skirt with a tucked tee, cardigan, ankle socks and loafers is another school-friendly option. Quality changes a lot from one garment to the next here. I feel the fabric weight, look at whether the seams are finished cleanly, and read the reviews before ordering online. Pair a couple of trend pieces with durable basics from home, and double-check that anything cropped or distressed passes the dress code.
9. Abercrombie Back To School Clothes
Walking into a new semester feels easier when the jeans fit properly. Abercrombie and Abercrombie Kids cover tweens through college with modern denim, polished basics, knitwear and casual layers. Relaxed jeans with a tucked baby tee, an oversized cardigan and retro sneakers is an easy everyday look. Dressier days call for tailored pants, a crewneck top, a belt and loafers. They sell several denim shapes, and I always go by rise, inseam and leg width rather than waist size alone, because two pairs in the same size can sit inches apart on the body. Find one pair that fits well, build several outfits around it, then check the sale section before buying more.
10. American Eagle Back To School Clothes
For a student who wears jeans five days a week, American Eagle is the obvious stop. A first-week outfit might be high-rise straight jeans, a soft graphic tee, a flannel overshirt, canvas sneakers and a practical backpack. On hot days, longer denim shorts with a fitted tank under an open button-down stay cool. Comfort-first students can go with joggers, a crewneck sweatshirt and athletic shoes. When ordering online, compare the rise and inseam on the size information instead of guessing. I'd skip buying three similar washes. One medium blue and one dark pair cover bright tops, neutral sweaters, spirit shirts and jackets for the whole year.
11. The Children’s Place Back To School Clothes
The Children's Place is built around younger kids: practical basics, coordinated sets and a full uniform section. Pull-on chinos with a polo, zip cardigan, crew socks and sneakers makes an easy elementary-school outfit. A cotton dress with bike shorts underneath and a denim jacket lets a child climb on the playground without worry. The uniform department simplifies approved polos, pants, skirts, jumpers and sweaters in common school colors. Before ordering multiples, I'd buy one item to test the waistband and fit. Adjustable waists help growing kids, and darker bottoms hide art paint and lunch spills much better than khaki. Multipacks only make sense when every color in the pack meets the dress code.
12. Lands’ End School Uniforms
Uniforms feel far less stiff when each layer actually fits. Lands' End is a reliable source for polos, chinos, skirts, jumpers, sweaters and blazers. A white polo, navy chinos, a cardigan in the school color, crew socks and black sneakers or loafers covers most daily requirements. For colder months, add a quarter-zip and a weather-resistant jacket. I measure the child and compare those numbers to the product chart, because age-based sizing is often off by a size in either direction. Confirm the school's rules on colors, plaid, logos, skirt length and shoe type before ordering. A few matching tops and bottoms means no midweek laundry panic.
13. Carter’s Back To School Clothes
Carter's is my pick for preschool and early elementary because the fabrics are soft and the shapes are easy to get on alone. Pull-on jeans, a printed cotton tee, a zip hoodie and flexible sneakers is the kind of outfit a five-year-old can manage. A knit dress with leggings, a cardigan and closed-toe shoes works for kids who like dresses but need to play. OshKosh denim and overalls are tougher, though overall straps can be slow during bathroom breaks, so I'd test them at home first. Skip complicated fastenings wherever a stretchy waistband will do. Separates in matching colors give more combinations than sets, and stocking up should account for growth spurts and how often you really do laundry.
14. Dick’s Sporting Goods School Clothes
Students who go from class to practice to an after-school activity need clothes that move. Dick's Sporting Goods carries athletic apparel, everyday sportswear, shoes, backpacks and sets from performance brands. Tapered joggers, a breathable tee, a zip-up track jacket, cushioned sneakers and a slim backpack handles a long day. When it's warm, longer athletic shorts with a polo or approved performance top work. Synthetic, moisture-wicking fabric is worth it for gym class, though it holds on to odor more than cotton, so it needs washing after every wear. Fit shoes for how they'll be used, and try them on with the socks the student actually wears to school, checking toe room and that the heel doesn't slip.
15. ThredUp Back To School Clothes
Secondhand is how I stretch a budget and also help a student look like themselves instead of a store mannequin. ThredUp is useful for preowned jeans, sweaters, jackets, dresses and brand-name basics at different price points. I like building around a vintage-style denim jacket with a striped tee, straight jeans, leather sneakers and a canvas tote. College students should search for trousers, button-downs, cardigans and outerwear, where the savings on wool and lined coats can be noticeable. Filter by size, condition, color and brand, and always read the listed measurements. Each listing is one piece, so don't rely on it for an urgent uniform need. Fill in shoes, socks and everyday basics elsewhere.
Seams, Knees and Waistbands: Checking Quality in the Aisle
School clothes get washed more than almost anything else in a house. A cheap shirt that lasts the whole year beats a pricier one that's done by October, and you can tell a lot before you pay.
- Gently stretch a seam. If you can see daylight between the stitches, it will split at the shoulder or crotch with active kids.
- Look at the fabric against light. Very thin jersey tees go see-through and twist out of shape quickly.
- Check the inside of the knee on kids' pants. Some brands double the fabric there or use a heavier denim, which is worth paying a little extra for on playground ages.
- Read the fiber label. Cotton with a small amount of stretch moves well and recovers its shape; pure synthetic fleece pills fast at the cuffs and under backpack straps.
- Try the zipper and snaps. A stiff zip a child can't manage alone becomes a problem at recess.
When the Student Won't Come Shopping
Plenty of teens refuse to go, and many families order online anyway. Measure a pair of pants that fits well, lying flat: the waist straight across, the inseam from crotch seam to hem, and the leg opening. Compare those numbers to each store's chart rather than the size label. Order early enough to return what doesn't work before the first day, keep tags on until the student has worn something around the house for an hour, and buy the same jeans in a second wash only after the first pair has been through the laundry once.
Which Store Gets the First Trip?
The right store depends on the student's age, dress code, activities, taste and budget. For affordable basics, I'd go to Old Navy, Target and Walmart first. Kohl's, JCPenney and Macy's give you brand variety, while Gap, H&M, Abercrombie and American Eagle suit students who care more about style. The Children's Place, Lands' End and Carter's make younger kids and uniforms simple. Dick's covers active schedules, and ThredUp adds secondhand value. Whichever you pick, shop from your gap list, buy outfits that mix, and leave trend pieces until the jeans, tops, layers and shoes are sorted.
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