It’s Back to School…Yay!

Planning for the start of the school year is always an exciting time. It is something about the planning and preparation for teachers, administrators, students and parents in anticipation for the new year that brings joy, excitement, and the idea of a fresh new start. I don’t know about you, but I even think about the next school year during the summer (amidst summer vacay activities ), while planning and cheerleading my son into the start of his first day of school.

The start of the new school year was particularly exciting and special in my household. Our son was starting a new school. He was both excited and chill about it. He has such a great demeanor and a collected calm for many of life’s shifts. Maybe that’s because I enjoy shifts and movement…excited for new discoveries, while at the same time enjoying the balance that routine and consistency brings. For my son though, it was his transition into a new school, new environment, new people, a new learning culture, and the excitement for his next journey…next adventure. Not only was he entering a new school, but middle school! He was looking forward to having his own locker, following the class schedule, changing classes throughout the day. Enjoying both the freedom in autonomy, learning what that means as a middle-schooler and the guided structure his new environment offered.

As a parent or caregiver seeing your child/ren off to school, it’s preparing days in advanced for what is to come. For example, the new sleep schedule, organizing the back-to-school-clothes or uniform, prepping the lunches, making sure the backpacks have their supplies several days (hopefully) in advanced. So much to consider and do as we prepare for the great sense of joy and excitement that a new school year ushers in for us. Not only do you see your lovelies meet and greet old friends, new students and their teachers, but the moment they enter the building, you breathe a sigh of relief. You got your pictures, their in school, you have your days back without the noise of child-life all day at home, it’s the reorganization of the commute…It’s another successful back-to-school send-off!

Let’s see…what did I wear when I took my darling to school? I wore a white graphic t-shirt and a pair of brown, black speckled satin palazzo pants, that I made many, many years ago. They were very wide and with amazing flow, and I felt very relaxed, very chic. To complete the look, I added sunglasses, an oversized straw tote bag and Birkenstocks. My entire look was comfortable, relaxed, the look of being “effortless” with minimal effort. Which incidentally inspired the curation of my favorite items in my shop Black Paper + Cloth with a focus of relax style that is minimal and uncomplicated to wear, beautiful and comfortable.

Since we are on the subject of clothes and our planning for black-to-school, there were a few shifts my son and I needed to make with his clothing collection for the new school. You see, he now wears a uniform. Something of which we both needed to get used to because he (and I) enjoyed the individuality and fun in dressing that expressed and amplified his (and his mother’s) style. For him it would be a new experience. For me, a sense of nostalgia from the years of a very long time ago when I was a child in parochial school wearing uniforms, looking forward to the “no uniform days” where I could demonstrate my sense of style and originality. I was a well dressed young girl in those days. I loved growing up in the 70’s and feel still connected to that era of dressing in many ways. For example, I still love and wear bell-bottoms, flares, wide-leg pants. For me they NEVER went out of style only to resurface every other decade. I love wearing tops that flow, structured dresses, shirt dresses, clogs, bold jewelry, large framed glasses/sunglasses, large hats, scarves, structured, well tailored suits and coats, classic trainers, classic cardigans, structured handbags, platform shoes…I could go on…and I will. I own (though may not wear often) items with bold prints and color…some items a symbolic homage to vintage Missoni or Pucci (even though I have yet to own one or both…my ongoing life quest). However, I wrote all of that to affirm how clothing selection for the back-to-school scene is critically important.

Looping back…let’s continue the conversation about the uniform my son is now wearing. I am someone who believes that clothes for children should fit well. I know…I understand it…why some parents buy clothes larger than the size their child wears. It’s supposed to be a way of conserving funds and not have to spend frequently on clothes as the children grow. However, many of the young ones look as if their clothes are eating them whole. The clothes becomes ill-fitting for what…two years? Then when they are finally able to fit the items, the clothes look worn out, or didn’t last (due to multiple wears, washing and cheap quality), so the clothes either get thrown out or donated. So was it really worth buying clothes that were too large and subject your child/ren to two years of ill-fitting clothes and worn out looks? I don’t think so.

For me, I wanted my child to understand what it means to dress well. To consider fit and quality. Oftentimes, I had to “size down” to get the fit just right. My child is slim and of course, clothes that are supposed be his size based on age, are made for waistlines that are larger (pants) with very wide fits through the leg. When I size down (for some styles) the waist may fit, but the pant lengths are too short. My preference is for my son not to look baggy in his clothes. I like fitted or slim shirts/tops with taper leg trousers. Since he is still into sweats, I don’t mind a little oversized for the sweat shirt, but the sweat pants should fit appropriately. As for his suits, Those must have a well tailored slim fit. That’s where Zara, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or Von Maur really comes through for us, at least until I have the energy (and time) to make his suits…he wants me to. I hope to…Anyway, back to the uniform.

So for this endeavor, I had to shop smart. Shops like Old Navy, H & M, Target and Walmart work well for uniform shopping. Overall great quality for items to stand the test of time in the life of a school-age child. From the polos, khaki trousers, shorts, belts, hoodies, sweaters, socks…I got great deals and the fit was what worked for my son. My son has always been used to dressing appropriately for every occasion, including school, and how to put a look together that always look polished and professional. So building his uniform wardrobe and wearing the select items, was a seamless transition. He wears his polo and dark trouser, with a dark belt to match the trouser. Dark socks and shoes, which always match the belt and trouser. These are skills in how to wear apparel that my son has learned before the wearing of a school uniform. This is what he understands and loves to do. For the uniform, his look is minimal, clean, polished and complete. So when he arrived on the first day of school uniform ready, one of the first greetings he received (after “Welcome” of course) was, “Wow, don’t you look dapper!” No kidding! Did that make my heart proud? It absolutely did…LOL! I mean, that’s what all of that teaching and effort is for…right? Well it is…Lol!

Okay, I’ve rambled on and on enough now…but this was quite necessary rambling…Lol!

Parents, students, teachers…enjoy your version of back-to-school. I wish everyone an amazing school year, where everyone is welcomed, feels seen, valued and supported. Where the learning community is a place of belonging for all of us. I wish for our children…especially our children, that they live their best lives ever in happiness and at peace.

Be inspired. Be Empowered. Be fabulous!

Felicia