Summer is winding down, gearing up for Back To School has once again crept it’s way to the top of your to-do list and time is of the essence.

You want to power through that Back-To-School shopping like you power through your favorite Netflix series on a lazy, rainy weekend.

Yes, it’s time for a little shopping haul– but where to start? what’s on trend? … and what do your kids really need?

Earlier this week, I teamed up with one of my absolute favorite malls here in New Jersey, The Mills At Jersey Gardens to share some of my tips on style and this year’s Back-To-School trends along side money saving expert, Andrea Worwoch.

The Mills at Jersey Gardens is one of my go-to places for “haul shopping” because it is filled with outlets of my favorite stores (Saks Off Fifth, PS by Aeropostale, Nike, Vince Camuto, Victoria Secret’s …oh, my!)

I don’t know about you, but when I need to set us up for a new season, back to school, or when I am trying to knock out that long holiday list, I am a woman on a mission and want to accomplish as much as possible in one place, without breaking the bank.

| Express Outlet @ The Mills at Jersey Gardens |

One shopping trip and BOOM! Done! (aren’t those the best?)

By shopping at outlets you get to shop the brands you love at deep discounted prices (and no, that doesn’t always mean it’s “last season”). 

In addition to the already discounted prices, Andrea shared a few ways to score some additional discounts.

My two favorite money saving tips?

• Download your Simon Malls app. Check the deals + map out a plan before you go!
• Use Coupons + Coupon Sherpa App. Always ask if the store allows you to stack your coupons, because some definitely do!

This $5 coupon book is sold at The Mills At Jersey Gardens for extra savings and typically pays for itself within your first visit.

Earlier this year, I forgot about my coupon book and was KICKING myself for missing out on $20 off Saks off 5th – don’t let it happen to you, my friends!

Below are some of my tips for stocking up on your kid’s fall wardrobe this year.

Back-To-School Style Tips

Plan to layer. Layering allows you to mix, match and stretch some of your kid’s favorite summer styles long into fall. It also allows you to shop some of those awesome clearance racks!

Seek out deals on cardigans to pair with swing dresses, hoodies to peek through denim, cool leather moto jackets and chambray button downs to make your kid’s crop top obsession, school appropriate.

Choose quality over quantity. While we all love a good bargain– ultimately– with all the wear and tear kids give their clothes, we need them to last. Be brand loyal and spend a little more on the basics you know will last the long haul. Spend less on the trendier pieces as trends are always changing.

Know your kid’s personal style. When kids are little, we parents have more say in what they wear, but as they reach the tween years, kids develop their own sense of style (for better or for worse).

Talk to them about what they like and don’t like because the only thing worse than return lines is investing in something that collects dust in their closet.

Kids will often change their style once they see what everyone else is wearing. So another option you may want to consider is only getting those basic staples and waiting for school to start to get those trendy items.

Mix it – Don’t Match it! Feel free to let your kids express themselves by mixing up their favorite clothing because mixing patterns, textures and bold colors is in, in, IN!

Polka dots and stripes??? … YES!

Plaids with floral?? … YUP!

Neons with fall neutrals? … DOOO IT!

Let’s Talk Trends…

The Year Of The Jogger

|Left: Old Navy, Right: H&M Kids – Available at The Mills at Jersey Gardens|

Comfy like a favorite pair of sweats, “dressy” enough to pull off on non-gym days– jogger pants are “on fleek” this fall!

This tapered ankle trend is exciting news for back to school because kids love comfort, and parents love their kids looking pulled together– it is a win-win!

Throw’n it back to the 90’s! 

90’s grunge started coming back last year and continues to trend this fall– and that is a-ok in this 90’s loving girl’s book.

• Florals
• Flannels
• Light denim + ripped denim
• Moto/Chunky ankle boots

Now if only, they could make 90’s hip hop cool again, so that my kids would let me jam out in my car ( I wish I were a little bit taller. I wish I were a baller… )

Pops of Neon

|Modell’s @ The Mills at Jersey Gardens|

This fall is set to be just as bright and colorful as our spring and summer, with pops of neon showing up all over.

• Athletic Socks (The hottest: Nike Elite)
• Inspirational Graphic Tee’s
• Patterned Yoga Pants

Textures + Prints

|PS by Aeropostale @ The Mills at Jersey Gardens|

This season’s hottest print trend is what I am calling boho-meets-southwest. The prints are bold and detailed with an easy breezy vibe to them.

• Quilted textures
• Laser cut leather
• Animal prints
• Geometric patterns

Slip-ons. Buh-bye laces!

|Famous Footwear @ The Mills at Jersey Gardens|

If there is one thing to be sure about this year, it is that tying your shoes is NOT cool.

This year’s biggest shoe-trend is all about rocking your kicks sans clumsy laces!

Even the hottest fall shoes that have laces, are being worn knotted at the end and worn as slip-ons.

Here are some of the must- have BTS footwear to check out:

• Ballet flats
• Vans
• Nike Roshe Runs
• Bobs For Skechers®
• Ankle Boots
• Moto boots

See some of the Periscope’d highlights from the Back-to-school Luncheon below:

 

Disclosure: Complicated Mama is proud to partner with Simon Malls & The Mills At Jersey Gardens