Best Back to School Shirts for Boys & Girls

By Shirtspace | Aug 22, 2017 |  Updated Oct 23, 2020

With summer quickly drawing to a close and school right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about back to school outfits. I know, I know, you can’t even believe it’s August! Take several deep breaths and don’t panic. We’ve got a guide that will help you find plenty of back to school outfits, including several tops for girls and boys shirts too, so your kids will look sharp when the first day of school rolls around!

Girls Tops

While girls graphic t shirts are in style right now, there’s something to be said for plain t shirts that are timeless wardrobe staples. With the ability to dress up, dress down, layer underneath cardigans and sweaters, and get dirty playing on the playground, plain tops for girls are win-win. Cute outfits for school don’t have to cost a fortune either! Picking up several affordable girls tops in a variety of neutral and vibrant colors is a great way to add dimension to an otherwise drab wardrobe. Sure, throwing in a few graphic t shirts is a good idea too, but as the old adage goes- less is more.

Here are a couple of our personal favorites:

1. Next Level Girls’ Princess Tee

Don’t be fooled by the name. While this tee is a perfect piece to create many cute outfits for school, it can also be worn with a pair of leggings and sneakers for a sportier look. It’s nice and lightweight, is a blend of super-soft ringspun cotton and durable polyester, and has a heathered look too.

1. Next Level Girls’ Adorable Tee

Again, don’t let the name of this t shirt scare you away. Though your girls are sure to look adorable in anything they wear, this v neck tee isn’t overly cutesy and can be dressed up or down. Picture this- a purple berry v neck, skinny jeans, and some strappy sandals. On point!

Boys Shirts

For the same reasons that plain t shirts are great for girls, boys’ wardrobes can benefit too. Perfect to layer underneath a favorite zip up hoodie,  wear with jeans or shorts, or throw on for a quick one-on-one basketball game, you can’t go wrong with a quality plain t shirt. With a large amount of boys shirts available today, we’ve highlighted a couple of our favorites to get you started.  

1. Gildan Youth SoftStyle Shirt

The Gildan Youth SoftStyle shirt is a traditional fit, but is softer than your average t shirt. It’s offered in a large array of colors and is 100% preshrunk cotton. Parent hack-- opting for a heathered color is a great way to achieve a higher quality look at a fraction of the cost!

1. Next Level Youth ¾ Sleeve Raglan

An athletic yet fashionable boys’ shirt is a 3/4 sleeve raglan baseball t shirt. This style is wildly popular and is affordable to boot. Offered in a variety of colors, mostly classic and sleek, raglan baseball t shirts are an easy way to create killer back to school outfits.

Unisex Hoodies

There are far too many fashionable kid’s sweatshirts to list, so below are a couple of the best of the best. Whether you opt for a hooded, crewneck, full zip, or half zip sweatshirt, there are plenty of high-quality, stylish options to choose from, but the two below are must-have.

1. Comfort Colors Youth Hooded Sweatshirt

The Comfort Colors Youth Hooded Sweatshirt is a hoodie that every kid must have. Available in 19 colors and made of 80% ringspun cotton and 20% polyester, your kiddo will love it’s snuggly softness and will find the perfect hue too! Seriously, this hoodie will withstand the wear and tear that goes along with being a rambunctious kid and is worth every cent.

1. Gildan 50/50 Youth Full Zip Hood

The tried and true Gildan full zip hoodie is something every kid needs for back to school. Functional and fashionable, this hoodie is affordable, available in countless colors, and offers the best bang for your buck. Seriously, don’t pass this one up!

Back to school shopping doesn’t have to be stressful, and most importantly, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Your kids will inevitably want some graphic tees to throw into the mix, but making sure to incorporate classic plain t shirts and hoodies is a failsafe way to have lots of cute outfits for school!