Mother-Daughter Shopping: Back-to-School Looks

For some women, taking their daughter shopping for back-to-school clothes is a thrill. For others, just the idea of it can be horrifying. But after laying out some rules and expectations, arming yourself with knowledge about trends and popular pieces and having a few outfit ideas in mind—like the one actress Victoria Justice wears here—the experience can not only be a lot of fun, but also the perfect chance to bond over fashion.

To ease the process of mother-daughter shopping for back-to-school looks—like the one actress Chloe Grace Moretz wears here at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards—have a quick talk with your daughter before you hit the mall to establish a budget and expectations. “It’s really important to have that conversation beforehand so she doesn’t get so disappointed and stuck on something,” says Marie DeNicola, founder and CEO of Mainstream Boutique, based in Apple Valley, Minn.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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."

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When it's early in the school year, a sensible and cute pair of shorts is another fashionable alternative to denim or leggings. Go for a printed romper with a cardigan or cropped jacket, like actress AnnaSophia Robb wears here at an event in Culver City, Calif., or pair them with a peplum top, sandals and a cross-body bag, DeNicola suggests.