Back To School French Kids Edition
We all know how chic and timeless French women dress; after all, that’s what La Vie On Grand is all about. However, French kids are just as chic. Today, I am sharing a back to school French kids edition.
With most kids heading back now and others heading back over the next week, I wanted to share some French kid styles and how we approached back-to-school shopping for London this year.
How Do French Kids Dress
Like their stylish parents, French kids are just as chic in their dress. The clothing is intentional, yet it still has that relaxed French vibe we all love. The kids are perfectly put together, yet not over the top.
Parents shop for their kids at places like Petit Bateau, Jacadi, Bonpoint, Tartine et Chocolat, and Monoprix, where we’ve also bought clothes for London.
The Older French Kid
One thing I noticed this past summer is how the older kids dress. I am talking about late middle school and into high school. The kids were still in session while we were there in June and they definitely have a more laid back, American approach in how they dress.
There was lots of athleisurewear, including hoodies, leggings, and all-black outfits. This is the time when kids are experimenting in how they want to dress and identify themselves, so it wasn’t much of a surprise. Kids will be kids no matter where they are in the world.
London’s French Style
London loves to dress in French style when appropriate, so going to Paris, for pictures, or special occasions, etc. Most of the time, she’s like every other kid and wants to wear leggings or jeans, a T-shirt, and Converse or Nikes.
Before we went to Paris this summer, we purchased several new pieces for her because she had grown out of many things over the year. So, going into the new school year, she already had a variety of jeans, sweaters, and jackets.
Shop London’s French Style
Setting A Back To School Shopping Budget
The French do not spend a fortune on dressing their children but choose to invest in quality pieces that can be mixed and matched. This year, we decided to follow the French example regarding back-to-school shopping, but left it up to London.
We gave London a budget for how much she could spend on clothing pieces for school. In all transparency, we only gave her $200, which doesn’t buy much. However, this was meant to be a learning experience for her.
She came to us and asked for pieces that cost anywhere from $75-$150 for one item, and her requests were incohesive. Instead of immediately telling her no, we decided to give her the money, so she could see how far it would go.
We told her she could spend the $200 however she wanted on school-appropriate clothing. Once the money was gone, she would not receive anything else. This didn’t include necessities like socks, shoes for sports, or school supplies.
This money was strictly for her to buy the pieces she wanted to wear, so we gave her the money and went out for a day of shopping. Going into the shopping day, she was determined to buy shorts that cost $68.
Here’s what happened.
- First, we went to Madewell only because I wanted to look at something in the store. However, once we were in there, she found a t-shirt she loved (size xs), and decided she could wear it with shorts or jeans. She also liked this stripe and said she might go back for it. The shirt cost $41 with tax.
- Next, we went to Athleta, which has always been a go-to store for athletic apparel. She ended up with this jacket my mom bought for her, which didn’t count in the equation.
- However, she also wanted the matching pants, but in the end, she decided she would only wear the pants with a few colors of shirts, so she decided against the green pants. She said the black pants are still on her wishlist.
- Next, we went to Vineyard Vines, and she found two t-shirts she liked. The sales associate told us if we ordered them online, they would be an additional 20% off, so London said let’s go home and order them online so I can save 20%. We got home and she ordered this shirt and this one for $38 with tax.
- Then we went to buy her $68 shorts, but they didn’t have the color she wanted, so she didn’t buy any.
What She Bought
At this point, she has three shirts and a jacket. However, she also has the clothes we bought for Paris. Ultimately, she has said she doesn’t want the $68 shorts because they will take the rest of her money.
She still has money left over and is waiting until she finds something she loves.
Overall, this has been a wonderful learning experience for her, and we will continue to have a back-to-school budget from now on. Once the cooler season arrives, we will give her additional money to buy some warm-weather clothes, but that’s all.
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This is such a cute idea – I never know where to shop for stylish items for my kids. Thank you
We did something similar several Christmas ago. Our 2 older children wanted the moon !! So we struck the bargain that āwe will give you money and you must decide what is the most important gift for youā..they had stocking gifts coming, but that was all.
Our son purchased 2 quality items ( if I remember one was a Gameboy ā¦this was SEVERAL years ago )but our daughter decided to wait for the after Christmas sales and made a haul!! She is to this day a very conscientious shopper and struck a similar bargain with her own daughter š„°.
I think it hurt me more than them, but a lesson well learned !