The Back-to-School Clothes One Vogue Mom Is Shopping for Her Kids This Fall

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Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, September 2008

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I used to shop for myself when the fall collections hit stores, now the most exciting emails in my inbox are children’s brands announcing Back to School or Fall Collections: Oso and Me, La Coqueta, Maisonette. My daughter Alice, 2, starts pre-school this fall, my son, Arthur, 4, is going into his third year. By July, I was already thinking about what they’ll wear the first few weeks. For both of them I like a navy base palette, it goes with everything and is a softer version of black. For Artie I like a vintage prep vibe, which Gap Kids is great at, a striped rugby shirt, mom jeans. For Alice a Peter Pan collar blouse or a Petit Bateau sailor dress. Everything must be machine-washable and able to transition to different parts of the day.

I love doing drop-off in the morning and one of my favorite parts is seeing the different styles of kids–or, let’s be honest, parents–on display; from the midtown vest finance bro to the tiny Miss Frizzle in her crayola print dress to the GOAT-in-training tiny gymnast in spandex and slicked back bun. Below, some back-to-school shopping suggestions from T-shirts to barrettes to pencil cases.

Young Rushmore

A tiny Jason Schwartzman in the making? Your Wes Anderson-coded kid will be thrilled with these picks.

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La Coqueta

Tijo long sleeve boy rugby shirt

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Bombas

4-pack safari stripe calf sock

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Ralph Lauren

The Iconic cricket sweater

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Cece Dupraz

pencil pouch

Team USA 2032

This kid is a soon-to-be GOAT. Get them set with their sporty essentials after watching every single floor routine of the Olympics.

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12|12

organic pullover sweatshirt

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Cheree Berry Paper

first day of school banner bundle

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Courtside Kids

gingham super short

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J.Crew

active long-sleeve cropped top

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Ame Lulu

sporty sip water bottle

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Primary

bike short

Little Grouse on the Prairie

The prairie girl trend is here to stay, let’s get your tiny Willa Cather suited up for her one-room school house.

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Sea

quilted denim jacket

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Gap

wide-leg flutter overalls

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La Coqueta

Lola girl jacket

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Oso Me

Maggie blouse

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Zara

crochet flower bandana

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Pehr

gingham dress

Geriatri-Chic

Call them Grand-Alphas (remember Grand-Millennials?), these tykes are wise beyond their years and like to dress the part with cable knit and chintz to boot.

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La Coqueta

Zas merino baby cardigan

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Hill House Home

The Tiny Heidi set

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CandyArgyle

bow hair barettes

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Super Smalls

Gemify sunglasses case

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J.Crew

canvas barn jacket

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Janie and Jack

The Rein in Style cardigan

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Ralph Lauren

Whitman relaxed cordurory pant

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Gap

toddler cozy clogs

Dogue Kid

They’re obsessed with getting a Sheepadoodle but for now will have to be satisfied with a dachshund on a sweater.

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12|12

organic pullover sweatshirt

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Boden

Cosy Borg jacket

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Meri Meri

sausage dog hair slides

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Meri Meri

woven sausage dog bag

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Mini Rodini

mini dog embroidered puffer jacket

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E. Frances

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