Back-to-school style: The coolest fall fashion trends for your kids, teens

Is your kid dreading going back to school? Are you dreading the early mornings when you have to get them ready to go?

A fall wardrobe update could be the answer. Kid’s fashion trends in 2023 use fun fall colors, textures and layering to make a versatile closet filled with endless outfit options. Getting ready for back-to-school has never been easier!

With some clever styling and simple updates, you and your kid will be excited about the return to school. Read on to learn the coolest fall fashion trends and fall fashion ideas for kids.

Fall fashion colors

Kids’ fall fashion sports a similar color palette to adult fall fashion. The key difference is the darkness of the colors. While adults wear dark purples and reds and earth tones, kids will stick with brighter, more vibrant colors. Choosing colors with less severity prevents your kid from looking like they’re trying to dress like a grown-up. Instead, it keeps them youthful and stylish.

To help your kid dress fashionably this fall, use pieces with the following colors:

• Fuchsia purple
• Magenta
• Barbie pink
• Hibiscus
• Carrot orange
• Lemon yellow
• Meadow green
• French blue

Once your kid has a range of fall-colored pieces to choose from, make sure they also have a number of neutral items. Whites, creams, grays and browns are essential to creating a cohesive and eye-catching outfit -- and they're colors you can incorporate into almost any outfit.

Layering

Layering is one of the most comfortable fall fashion trends. Layering allows you to make complex and versatile outfits that work for your child all day long. When they’re playing or inside a warm room, they can simply remove a layer. If they‘re outside in the cold, they can put layers back on to stay warm.

Combining multiple layers makes it easy to incorporate more of your wardrobe year-round. Summer dresses can be worn over long-sleeve turtlenecks and fuzzy tights to make them weather-appropriate. Fun t-shirts can also become transitional when paired with a warm vest or oversized sweater.

When you help your child layer their clothes, they can easily adapt their outfit as needed. To layer fashionably, use the rule of three: a base layer, a warmth layer and a weather-proof layer.

1. Base Layer

The base layer is for when your kid is playing or inside your warm home. This is the cute and fashionable layer, with pieces that could work for cooler summer days. It includes simple clothing items like pants, shirts and dresses.

2. Warmth Layer

The warmth layer keeps your kid warm and comfortable. When your kid removes their weather-proof layer, you still want them to be comfortable and warm.

This layer includes sweaters, jumpers and accessories like scarves and beanies.

3. Weather-proof Layer

The weather-proof layer is the outermost layer. It includes windbreakers, coats, sturdy footwear and warm accessories like gloves. On really cold days, this layer also includes kids' winter coats.

This layer keeps your child cozy while they’re outside.

Oversized clothing

Oversized clothing is a huge trend this fall. Not only does it make kids look fashionable, but it also allows for movement and play. Being in slightly oversized clothing means your kid can be comfortable doing everything they love to do, instead of being limited by form-fitting sleeves and tight, stiff fabrics.

Oversized pieces are also easy to layer because you can fit more clothes underneath them. An oversized hoodie is a perfect “warmth layer” piece, and it lets your kid stay warm even on the fall days that feel like winter.

Another major benefit to oversized clothing is that your kid can grow into the pieces. This removes the need for an expensive yearly wardrobe revamps. Instead of needing to replace their jumpers and sweaters every year, they can re-use high-quality items until they fit perfectly.

It’s recommended to go oversize for top-body clothing items. Oversized pants won’t stay up on their own and will annoy your child.

Two-piece sets

Two-piece sets are a quick and easy way to get your child ready for school.

Grabbing a set from the closet is a fast way to get out the door when you're running late for school. Plus they're easy to layer on a cold day.

If your child prefers a simple wardrobe, consider investing in two-piece sets.

Patterns and textures

If you want your kid to be excited about their clothes, you need to make their clothes exciting. Incorporate pieces with tons of texture and unique patterns.

Some fall-inspired patterns include:

• Tartan
• Florals
• Leaves
• Fall animals, like foxes, squirrels, hedgehogs or deer
• Abstract patterns

Pair items with these fun patterns with neutral items that have a lot of texture. For example, patch-work pants work great with a leave-patterned sweater. A fuzzy cream sweater pairs well with an animal print skirt. 3D patterns are fun and can be great to layer, such as a jacket with 3D flowers layered over a t-shirt.

Hand-knit clothing

A great way to add texture to your kid’s closet is to hand-knit fall clothing for them.

Handmade clothing is unique, customizable and a fun way for children to incorporate their own creativity into their wardrobe.

Teddy-bear jumpers and jackets

Brown, fuzzy, and so so cute, teddy-bear jumpers are an essential item in your kid’s fall closet. Made from eye-lash yarn or equally fuzzy wool, these jumpers are characterized by wispy warm strands that resemble a teddy bear. Some designers add little bear ears on hoods for added cuteness.

Because these items are made from wool, most are extremely high-quality and will withstand playing and frequent washing with no problem.

A teddy bear jacket is another fun and cute way to incorporate warmer pieces into your child's wardrobe.

Fun skirts

Skirts are not limited to the spring and summer months. You can warm up pretty skirts with thick winter tights. Many tights come in bright colors and fun prints, giving your kid’s closet some playfulness and life. To make their outfit even warmer, you can pair skirts with fuzzy sweaters or cropped jackets.

Fun skirts are some of the easiest items to turn into a cute outfit for any of these top picnic spots, school and other outings.

Tulle skirts add volume and playfulness to your kid’s outfit. A-line skirts look grown-up and stylish. Skorts give active kids the chance to play boldly without worrying about flashing their underwear.

Denim

Denim is a timeless fabric that forms a large part of any fashionable closet. With a few denim pieces in your kid’s closet, they’re sure to fit in with their peers at school.

Bring denim into your child’s wardrobe with these cute outfit ideas:

• Denim overalls with a long-sleeve shirt or knitted sweater
• Jeans with a hoodie or oversized sweater
• Denim jacket with a cute skirt or dress
• Denim-on-denim, such as a denim jacket with jeans or a denim button-up with jeans

The blue tones of denim play with fall colors to create a fun and relaxed aesthetic. And since denim is timeless and lasts nearly forever, you can hand these items down to younger siblings.

With these fall fashion trends for kids, it’s never been easier to get your kid excited to get dressed and brave the increasingly cold outdoors. With some fall colors, interesting textures, and playful items, your kid will have the perfect back to school wardrobe and be the star of the show.