Make It Fun
Express Some Creativity
Though you're the one paying, you shouldn’t be the only person with a say during a back-to-school shopping trip. “It’s an area kids should be able to provide input on, because how we dress really does send a message about who we are,” DeNicola says. Appreciate your daughter’s sense of style and creativity—like actress Zendaya Coleman shows off with her outfit at the Kids' Choice Awards—stepping in only when the outfit is inappropriate.
Tap Into Trends
A number of trends are sure to hit the hallways this back-to-school season, DeNicola says, including denim jeans, jackets and vests; leggings; shades of emerald and coral; and infinity scarves. When it comes to tops, everything from blouses with lace trim and fitted thermals to cotton cut-out shirts—like the one model and TV personality Kendall Jenner wears here at an event in Los Angeles—will pop up over and over.
Make an Investment
Because trends come and go, DeNicola says it’s important to only invest in school-friendly pieces that will last several seasons, such as a high-quality pair of shoes or a well-made pair of denim, like actress Victoria Justice's, here at a movie premiere in Los Angeles. “You may be paying more for a pair of jeans, but I think you’re getting more in the long run,” DeNicola explains.
MORE: Taming Tween Tantrums
Mix and Match
The trick to maximizing your back-to-school budget is buying pieces your daughter can easily mix and match, DeNicola says, like the basic tank top actress Taylor Spreitlern wears here at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards. Whether they're paired with denim, patterned pants or a maxi skirt, you daughter can experiment with scarves in different patterns and tanks in a variety of colors to change up her everyday look.
Love the Leggings
For a look that's both comfortable and versatile, DeNicola suggests pairing leggings with a longer top that hits mid-thigh (to make sure everything is covered), like the outfit actress Shailene Woodley pulls off here at an event in Hollywood, Calif. Add an infinity scarf and a pair of cute flats, and your daughter will look casual-cool. “She can take that look and then another day, she can add a denim jacket,” DeNicola says.
Make It a Maxi
For days when pants just won't cut it, a maxi skirt or dress—like the one actress Alice Englert wears at a film festival in Los Angeles, Calif.—is a refreshing change. Try throwing on a pair or wedges or sandals and topping it off with a cropped jacket, DeNicola advises. "She’s going to look put together, but she’s also going to be very comfortable."
MORE: Tween Skincare Basics
