School is already back in session in some parts of the country and the remaining students will be filling the halls soon! I love sharing the latest trends in kids’ clothing that are stylish yet affordable, comfortable yet wearable well beyond the first day—including tons of tips for busy parents. Here are the details from my recent segment for NBC’s TODAY show with Hoda & Jenna!

NATURE’S CALLING

Left: Maeve

This prairie print dress in fall spice colors is easy to dress and go and perfect for Maeve—who prefers dresses for their ease of wear. It’s a great transition piece from summer to fall as you can wear it now, and as the weather gets cooler, add tights and a jean jacket; but for now fun in all the details with the ruffled socks that peep out from trendy black, double-buckle boots. Other details to look for: peter pan collars, puffy sleeves, gathers and ruffles, and longer tiered styles.

Wild Floral Shirt Dress, $27.50, kidpik.com

Double Buckle Boot, $36.50, kidpik.com

Braided Maroon headband, $12, oldnavy.com

Right: Rowan
Forest-Hued Neutrals feature rich tones of browns, greens and blues and make for a versatile palette that you can mix and match. Denim is forever on trend, and this fleece jacket is warm and cozy. An environmental Graphic-T is still super on-trend and this one 100% organic cotton and only $12. Finish it off with jogger pants in army green a great option for my boy Rowan who doesn’t love the structured feeling of jeans.

And his sneakers by Kizik are handsfree and adaptive sneakers: you just press your heel into them and the back of the shoe snaps into place. Actually every kid would love these, AND from a mom’s point of view, the heels aren’t ruined!

Fleece Trimmed Denim Jacket, $45.90, zara.com  *available in two colors

100% Organic Cotton T-shirt in New Off White, $10, gap.com

Kids Everyday Joggers in Washwell in Army Green, $31, gap.com

Kids’ Handsfree Sneakers, from 79, kizik.com

CLASS ACT

This stylish sibling pair is sporting the latest collaboration and retro-is-new varsity look that can be found absolutely everywhere.

Right: Madelyn

Check out this limited-edition collaboration with Tea Collection x Hello Kitty® and Friends! (This coincides with Tea’s 20th and Sanrio’s 60th anniversaries.) Her graphic T-shirt features Hello Kitty as a Maneke Neko, a Japanese symbol of prosperity and good luck, made of 100% soft jersey. Her shibori or dot-pattern leggings are printed on 100% cotton; all the designs from this collection are sustainable! We top it off with some quilted accessories: a faux fur vest—which I love for fall as it’s neither too hot nor cold—and quilted slip-on shoes.

Hello Kitty® Wave Graphic Tee, $37.00

Shibori Dots Printed Leggings, $30.00

Hooded Puffer Vest, $29.99, hm.com

Quilted Slip-On Shoes, $13, gap.com

Left: Joshua

Joshua’s look features a breakout fashion item for fall in a Varsity Jacket that he can wear with so many things! You will find this in all sizes for children from baby to toddler and on up. Not just for summer, bold sporty stripes give an accent underneath and we finish off the look with slim-fit jeans and tonal high-tops for an elevated sneaker. 

Appliqued Baseball Jacket, $49.99, hm.com

3-Pack Henley Shirts, $29.99, hm.com

Comfort Slim Fit Jeans, $29.99, hm.com

 Black & White Hi-tops, $34.99, hm.com

ADAPTIVE FASHION

Adaptive styles make fashion more accessible for kids with all kinds of needs to get dressed more easily. The clothes in this category we are featuring are made of ultra-soft fabrics, no tags and flat seams to accommodate kids with sensory sensitivities for maximum comfort.

Left: Izzy

From Kohls Adaptive, a graphic “Motivate” T-shirt that speaks to Izzy’s peppy energy that features a wider neckline for easy access, a longer body for better coverage and soft, breathable fabric. Her jeans, sustainably sourced, have a higher rise to accommodate seated kids and zippers on the hip bones and lower pant legs for easier dressing, while providing a fitted silhouette once zipped. Izzy shared her delight in wearing jeans, as it’s hard to find ones that fit over her braces. Her shoes by Billy Footwear have zippers.

Tek Gear Adaptive Graphic Tee, $20, kohls.com

Adaptive Seated Comfort Jeans, $25.20, kohls.com

Billy Footwear for kids, $29.99, ZapposAdaptive.com

Right: Chase

Chase usually wears an athletic uniform but we’re switching that up for a school uniform from French Toast. The collection features 12 adaptive uniform separates, and a hook and loop feature that adheres to itself and is easy to use, as found on his polo, navy hoodie and khaki shorts. I love the affordability of this line: the polo is just under $14! Love his sporty black sneakers by Billy Footwear that are available at Zappos Adaptive.

Adaptive Short Sleeve Interlock Polo, $13.98, frenchtoast.com/adaptive-clothing

Adaptive Front Flat Short, $16.98, frenchtoast.com/adaptive-clothing

Adaptive Fleece Hoodie, $23.98, frenchtoast.com/adaptive-clothing

Billy Footwear for Kids Sport Hoop, $70, ZapposAdaptive.com