The Best Places for Back to School Shopping This Year

Ready or not, here it comes: back to school shopping. What are the best places for back to school shopping this year? Our ace correspondent Jillian Tangen has rounded up a dozen great options to make back to school shopping a luxury, not a chore.

can back to school shopping ever be a luxury, and not a chore?

We’re sad to say it, but it’s true – it’s almost time to pack away the beach bags and umbrellas and bring out the lunch boxes and backpacks again. 

That’s right, back to school time is just around the corner. Just when you and the kids have finally found your summertime groove, here comes the advertisements, school supply lists and letters home reminding you that school is only a few weeks away. 

We’re not here to stress you out though. We’re here to help keep that parent/child bond you’ve been working on all summer going strong. So let’s talk about where to score the cutest back to school fashions for your little ones. 

And while this is a fun topic, it’s not always easy.  After all, you want to shop with your kids at someplace you can both agree upon, right?  But where can you go to find on trend clothes for kids that will please you both? 

the best places for back to school shopping this year

We’ve found 12 great places, both online and brick and mortar, to help you gather inspiration and shop the latest trends in pint-size ready-to-wear that both you and your child are sure to love – no need to worry about scowling faces or rolling eyes. 

Which retailers are best in class for back to school fashions?  Read on.

Online shops.

1. Melijoe.

After the birth of her first child in 2003, Paris based Nathalie Genty searched the internet high and low to find stylish apparel to dress her child, only to be faced with disappointing options. With years of web design and start-up experience, Genty decided to fill the void herself launched Melijoe in 2007. 

Since it’s debut, the website has become one of the ultimate destinations for buying childrenswear with highly regarded French brands, like Bonpoint and Petit Bateau, as well as over 150 other indie and premium international brands such as Chloé, Marc Jacobs, Gucci and Scotch & Soda.  Just as fun, is that each order arrives in a recycled box with silk paper and stickers with special cards like “With Love Paris” and “Hello Paris” demonstrating Genty’s personal touch of Parisian style with a dash of whimsy.  Melijoe sizing options range from newborn through 18 years depending on the brand.

2. Farfetch.

Just like its men’s and women’s selections, the kids section of the online retailing giant Farfetch, does not disappoint.  With everything from loud prints to florals and primary colors to animal prints, you will definitely find something here that your kids will love. 

Even better is that all of the brand’s featured are well established or promising, ensuring your child will always be ahead of the fashion curve.  Top brands to shop here include Moncler, Moschino, Stella McCartney and Monnalisa, with sizing that runs from newborn through age 16.

3. Maisonette.

Much like Melijoe founder Nathalie Genty, Luisana Mendoza Roccia and Sylvana Durrett found finding sustainable and stylish luxury clothes for toddlers and kids difficult in the American market.  And like Gentry, they set out to create Maisonette, which stocks hundreds of brands. 

In addition to clothing the site also features kids’ furniture, home decor and toys too.  The site also works with many of its brands to create limited edition collaborations like Vans x Maisonette and exclusive pieces that you won’t find anywhere else.  And unlike some of the other shops we are featuring, Maisonette focuses mainly on higher end indie brands like Batsheva, Loveshackfancy, Petite Plume and The Animals Observatory with sizing available newborn through 14 years of age.

4. Net-a-porter.

Following its successful Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana childrenswear pop-up e-shop’s last year, Net-a-porter officially launched their multi-brand kidswear collective earlier this year.  The site features a tight edit of brands, all of which created exclusive capsule collections for the website for girls and boys ages one to 12 years of age. 

And if you’re interested in doing a mommy or daddy and me look, this is the place to shop.  You’ll find mini versions of Bali based Innika Choo’s flowy linens, Veja sneakers, pint sized Solid & Striped swimsuits and sweet Lingua Franca sweaters with messages of love and sharing.

5. Childrensalon.

Not only does Childrensalon have a great selection that boasts big brands like Burberry, Mayoral, Stella McCartney, Moncler and Fendi, it also has a long history to back it up. 

The store was originally established in London in 1952, selling handmade dresses and boys’ suits.  And while you can still shop their outlet in person at on High Street, the store’s newest styles can only be found online where you will find over 270 designer brands ranging from newborn through size 16.

6. AlexandAlexa.

Founded by husband and wife Alex Theophanous and Alexa Till, AlexandAlexa brings contemporary and luxury brands to customers around the globe.  Focusing on kids apparel and accessories for children 14 and under, you can find everything from big names like Boss and Kenzo to trendy hard to find Nordic brands like Mini Rodini, Molo and Acne Studios.  Other items you can find here are sports apparel including gear for snowboarding, basketball and beyond, in addition to toys, accessories and even some furniture too.

7. Luisaviaroma.

Hailing from the fashion capital of Milan, Luisaviaroma is loved not only by fashion conscious men and women, but tiny trendsetters too.  Under its childrenswear category, the site offers “big fashion in little sizes” from designer brands all around the world, though it places some extra emphasis on luxe Italian labels like Pucci, Gucci, Moncler and DSquared2.  The shop’s size ranges goes from newborn to 14 years of age across boys’ and girls’ clothing, swimsuits, shoes and accessories.

Brick-and-mortar.

8. Barneys.

Despite the recent bad news about their retail stores, Barneys is still a great spot for finding lots of options for kids all under one roof.  With everything from Gucci, Missoni, Munster and Zimmerman, you will find no shortage of options for the 14 and under set.  After you and your mini try on your finds you can head over to Fred’s for a little refueling before making your final cuts.

9. Harrods.

Balmain, Canada Goose, Phillip Plein or Billyblush – you name it, you can find it for your little ones, newborn through age 16, at the world renowned Harrods in London.  And because it’s Harrods, you never know what you might find given it spans over seven floors and 330 different departments – maybe a little something for yourself while you are there too?  Oh, and don’t forget to make a stop at the Dessert Bar on 2 to complete the family fun shopping experience.

10. Saks Fifth Avenue.

Saks isn’t only for Moms and Dads, it also has a section devoted to children’s luxury clothing too.  You’ll find sweeter, more traditional styled brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Bonpoint, coupled with more edgy brands like Appaman, ATM, Chaser, Diesel and Hux ensuring that you will find at least something that will suit your kid’s unique style.  Sizing here ranges from newborn through age 16.

11. David Jones.

With 175 years in business, David Jones, located in Sydney, is one of the oldest department stores in the world.  In addition its vast men’s and women’s departments, it carries an all inclusive selection of products from maternity clothes and infant clothing and other baby essentials, all the way up to clothing and accessories fit for kids up to age 12.  Brands to look out for here include Tutu du monde, Zadig & Voltaire, Camilla, Karl Lagerfeld and Paul Smith Junior.

12. Neiman Marcus.

Whether you are looking for pint sized special occasion wear, back to school basics or mini me looks, Neiman Marcus delivers.  Kids sizing ranges from newborn through age 16 across brands like Molo, Gucci, Burberry, Joules and Stone Island, while also covering other back to school essentials like lunch bags, backpacks and footwear too. 

And since most locations have a NM cafe, Zodiac Room or other restaurants, it’s a great place to take teens and little ones who might be in need of a little refueling after a long day of shopping.

the best places for back to school shopping this year

Before we go, we should also mention that many luxury brands, like Gucci, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, sell their children’s lines in their flagship locations or even in stand-alone dedicated kids’ stores around the globe.  So if you are looking for a wider selection of a specific brand, they are a great option too.

Now that you know where to go, get ready for an A in first day school style, in addition to a nice dose of parent/child bonding before they are back to hitting the books.

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Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier. Formerly, she was a Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design. She previously owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

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