2023 Back to School Outfits for Kids & Teens

You’ve got the books, pencils, and folders. And maybe you’ve already got the backpack. 

But what will your kids wear on the first day of school? Make sure they have a complete, head-to-toe look (or five) to start their new school year off right. Here are a few back-to-school outfit ideas to get you started. 

Graphic Tees

Let’s start with the first component of building the best back-to-school outfits: the T-shirt. This simple yet iconic piece of clothing is a must-have for kids of any age — and not just one T-shirt, but a bunch. 

At Finish Line, you can find T-shirts from name brands like The North Face and Vans, but the trending brands right now are Nike and adidas. And here’s a pro tip: You can find some awesome deals on Nike and adidas T-shirts, like getting two for just $30. 

Nike 

If your young boy just wants to wear the same T-shirt every day, Nike has the perfect solution. It offers the kids’ Sportswear logo T-shirt in eight colors, from black to bright blue and red. Just get a bunch of those T-shirts, and your son will be good to go. Or you can switch it up with a Sportswear Air or Repeat T-shirt. 

For the girls, you have options like the basic Futura T-shirt that pairs well with leggings or biker shorts. Another favorite is the Sportswear block letter T-shirt (and don’t forget to find the matching high-rise bike shorts!).

adidas

Add a splash of color to your kid’s wardrobe with the mint adidas Originals graphic print T-shirt or the light blue adidas adventure T-shirt. And for those little munchkins, consider the Disney Mickey and Friends T-shirt or the Incredibles Basketball T-shirt. 

If your son still wants something simple, adidas offers the Originals Trefoil Adicolor T-shirt in three colors and a similar Adicolor T-shirt in another three colors. Or you can go for something a little bolder, like the Rekive or Linear Spirit T-shirt.

Girls might pick the Originals animal print T-shirt dress or the flowy tie-dye T-shirt. Other fun options include the Originals Love Unites Trefoil and the Trefoil Script T-shirt. 

Matching Sets

Matching sets are in. And not only are they a trending style, but they make your life much easier when completing all your back-to-school clothes shopping. 

Short and T-shirt Sets

Short and T-shirt sets not only work for those warm autumn days, but they can also double as gym clothes. 

Check out the boy’s Nike HBR T-shirt and shorts set in shades of blue or the Nike Active Joy set. For the girls, try the Just DIY It tank and bike shorts set or the tie-dye T-shirt and short set. 

Other options include the adidas Originals graphic print set or the Originals floral dress and leggings set. You can also get the girls’ animal print T-shirt and bike shorts set or the boy’s camo shorts and T-shirt set. 

Jogger and Sweatshirt Sets

For those colder months, ensure you have warmer sets that include joggers or leggings and a sweatshirt or lightweight jacket. These work for outside gym classes, sports practice, and daily classes. 

Start with a new Nike Tech Fleece set for girls or a Jordan ombre hoodie and jogger pants set for boys. Adidas also offers several matching sets, like the Originals animal print sweatshirt and pants set or the monochrome Originals Adicolor hoodie and jogger set. 

Speaking of monochrome sets, check out the SikSilk hoodie and jogger pants set for boys and the light purple adidas Originals Adicolor set for girls. 

Kids Shoes

No back-to-school outfit would be complete without a new pair of sneakers.

Casual

Whether your kid wants a pair of Nike Air Max 270 shoes or adidas Originals Superstar sneakers, Finish Line has tons of causal back-to-school shoe options. You can also get a pair of Vans Old Skool casual shoes or the iconic Converse Chuck Taylor high-top shoes to make sure your kids have a shoe that goes with every outfit. 

Athletic

Finish Line has plenty of options for your little athlete, too. 

Check out our over 250 kids’ basketball shoe options, like the Air Jordan Retro 6 or the adidas Harden Vol. 6 basketball shoes. Some other trending options include Jordan Jumpan MVP, Nike LeBron Witness 7, and the Jordan 6 Rings basketball shoes. 

And for rising track stars, you can find hot running shoes like the Nike Air VaporMax 2021, the New Balance Fresh Foam Roav, and the adidas Ultrabounce shoes. 

Sandals

For the first days and weeks of school, the weather should still be warm enough for sandals and slides, too. From the little kids’ classic Croc clog to the Birkenstock Essentials Arizona sandals and adidas slides, you have plenty of options to choose from. 

Big Kids Outfits

If you’re looking for some mix-and-match pieces so your kid can create their own fit, check out all the big kids’ clothing options for girls and boys. 

No outfit is complete without accessories, so make sure to send your middle or high schooler to class with a backpack, tumbler, and lanyard. 

Little Kids Outfits

Need some extra back-to-school outfit ideas for your little one? Head over to the little boys’ and girls’ clothing collections to pick out everything you need, from jackets to extra pairs of pants. 

And make sure the look is complete with a hat (especially for outdoor activities), hair ties, and socks. 

Back-to-school Shopping Made Easy

There’s no need to stress about back-to-school shopping. Finish Line is your one-stop shop for all things sneakers and kids’ clothing. Check out our complete back-to-school collection and make sure your whole family is prepared for the new school year.