If you haven’t taken your kids back to school shopping yet, this handy guide might help you figure out what your kids might be looking at while you’re walking around the mall. From trendy dresses to camo print hoodies, teens and tweens are all about comfort and color this fall.
Trend expert Casey Lewis scoured TikTok and watched thousands of Gen Z “back to school” videos. In these videos, kids scrutinize all the items they score while using their parents (or their parents’ credit cards) to buy clothes, accessories, and school supplies. With all the information in hand, she compiled a list of all the must-haves and clothing trends that Gen Z will be making popular this school year.
“I’ve watched thousands of back-to-school events every year for the past three years. I took the most popular products and made a list,” Lewis said in her video.
“First, a few takeaways. Last year twill was huge, and so were leggings. This year, it seems like it’s all about denim. Denim shorts, denim skirts, denim jackets are making a comeback, and of course jeans. Baggy Low rise jeans are the #1 jeans and my most popular brand that I’m quickly getting into.
Lewis also points out that sweatpants are now a more fashionable and comfortable piece of equipment than leggings. Thanks to the return of low-rise jeans, crop tops are also out.
Lewis then compiled a list of the 10 most popular products for back-to-school, based on her thousands of views. First up: Abercrombie camo.
Lewis also pointed out that comfortable pants are suitable for children, including Garage’s fleece cargo pants. “Some sweatpants are popular, but none more popular than these gray cargo wool sweatpants,” she explains.
Lewis turned to some fashion for teenage girls, including a Free People dress called the “Hot Shot Mini Dress.”
“It comes in a dozen colors. Most of it is sold out now, but people are also buying Amazon knockoffs,” she noted.
The all-white On Cloud running shoes are also in Louis’ top ten. “I can’t believe these are showing up so much! On Clouds can be worn with leggings, sweatshirts, hoodies…” she says.
Lewis also noted that tweens and tweens will be wearing vintage tube tops in the hallways this year. Yes, the same tube top we wore 25 years ago is making a comeback!
“This Garage bandeau top has been around a lot and is often worn with a matching sweatshirt. I would say I ordered this Garage tank top, but there’s also a Forever 21 tank top, an H&M tank top, a Hollister tank top, an American tank top. Eagle tank tops. They are all kind of the same…simple colors and stretchy cotton. I need to understand how can girls wear tank tops to school now or are the dress codes so relaxed?” she asked.
Low-rise baggy jeans are also popular among tweens and teen girls. As a chubby kid, this would have been my personal nightmare, but apparently, this is super popular with kids!
“This is the first pair of jeans I saw in the homecoming hall,” Lewis said, showing off PacSun’s Casey low-rise baggy jeans. “They come in a lot of different washes.”
Bun hairstyles are still a thing for girls, which requires them to carry Dae Styling Cream and Taming Stick in their crossbody bags. If they’re not wearing a crossbody bag, they’re wearing a Lululemon backpack.
“Last year, North Face’s backpack was No. 1. This year, Lululemon New Crew is the No. 1 most mentioned backpack. It’s $99. Everybody’s wearing black,” she said.
If kids aren’t wearing all-white sneakers, they’re rocking it in the opposite direction and wearing some colorful, bright sneakers — specifically the Adidas Gazelle sneakers.
“People are fascinated by the colorful gazelles. And people wear all-white Ons for sports. Gazelles are the go-to for casual wear. Adidas campus shoes are also popular, but not as popular as gazelles,” OP explained.
She continued, “Finally, this one surprises me, but there’s no denying it. Brandy Melville matching pajama sets. Both the ducks and the bears show up again and again, but everyone gets the Brandy Melville pajamas back to school. …..but they’re affordable and they’re cute.
In some final thoughts, Louise rattled off a few other popular products that are selling like hotcakes during the back-to-school season, including Owala water bottles, Birkenstock Boston shoes, and leopard print.
After her video went viral, several TikTok users weighed in on what Lewis saw as a popular trend, with some teachers confirming her opinion based on what their students were wearing.
“Middle school teachers. Sweat. Every day. It’s 112* here in Vegas. But still sweat. 🤷🏼♀️” one teacher said.
“So impressed with your roundup. Great job! I’ve seen a lot of these on my high school here (not California either) and on my senior portrait clients’ IGs,” wrote another.
If you’re wondering how on earth parents can afford to send their kids back to school, you’re not alone. If students took everything on this list, the total would be over $600 (not including water bottles, toiletries, etc.). I think we’d better keep dealing with those crooks now!
