Most years, when August rolls around, we do all our back to school shopping. I like to go on one-on-one shopping dates with each child. Before we head out, we go through their closet. We see what still fits, we pack up items to donate (or save for a younger sibling), and we make a basic shopping list — a typical list might include socks, a new pair of jeans, a hoodie, and 2 tops. On our date, we pick out something specific to wear for the first day of school, and do our best to find the basics on our shopping list.
But this last August was crazier than usual. We didn’t get home from France until August 20th. Then school started a couple of days later. And suddenly, Ralph and Maude were both moving out of the country!
So school shopping didn’t really happen. Knowing we wouldn’t have time for real dates, we picked out first day of school outfits for Betty & June while we were being tourists in France. And then, they simply made due with what was in their closet until we had time to shop. Which didn’t really happen until the holiday break! Happily, with two older sisters, they both had plenty of hand-me-downs to help them along.
We took these photos last month (in January). Betty is in 5th grade this year. June is in 1st grade. And this post is all about what to wear to elementary school.
On June:
Buffalo check dress from H&M. Gymboree Sweater from ThredUp. Rainbow socks, hand-me-down from Betty. Red high-tops from Old Navy. This dress was what she wore on the first day of school.
On Betty:
Denim Jacket from GapKids. Red cheetah print dress by Kate Spade from Nordstrom. Black leggings from Old Navy. Black flats, hand-me-down from Olive.
On June:
Sequin heart sweater, striped leggings, striped socks from H&M. Tweed shorts from Uniqlo.
On Betty:
Jumpsuit and pink high-tops from Old Navy. Layering tee and polka-dot socks from H&M.
On June:
Polkadot dress with claw pockets, black leggings, pink socks, from H&M. Silver slip-ons from Old Navy. Purse was a Christmas gift from Oscar.
On Betty:
Pink tee with gold lettering, grey print leggings, polka-dot socks from H&M. Cardigan, a hand-me-down from Olive. Perforated leather slip-ons from Vans. Every time Betty practices music for 20 days, she gets a new charm for her bracelet.
On June:
Raincoat from Amazon. A raincoat was one of her main requests for Christmas. Thank goodness. It’s been so insanely rainy this year!
On Betty:
Striped dress from Nordstrom. Big check leggings and slip-ons from Old Navy. Socks from H&M.
On June:
Gingham trench coat from Uniqlo. Striped top from Nordstrom. Polkadot overalls from Target. Blue stripe socks from GapKids.
On Betty:
Jeans and striped button-down from H&M. Striped sweater and pink Converse from Nordstrom. Parka from Uniqlo.
On June:
Black jeggings from Uniqlo. Animal print top from H&M. Hiking socks and high-tops from Old Navy. She doesn’t need glasses, but likes to wear these sometimes. They are just sunglasses with the lenses removed.
On Betty:
Pink layering tee from H&M. Jacket and short set from Sergeant Major. This is what Betty wore on the first day of school. We bought it while we were in France for the summer.
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Oh my goodness! So many cute things. I love doing these photo shoots with my kids. I hope they will love looking back at these and seeing how styles changed over the years, and how their hair changed, and how tall they were that year. I love that June is missing her front teeth in these photos. Both of her front teeth came out a couple of days before Christmas — so if we had taken these photos in the fall, she would have had a totally different smile. : )
What are your kids wearing these days? Do any of these pieces look familiar?
P.S. — What to wear to Middle School and High School is coming right up! Want more? Check out all our What to Wear to School posts.
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