Children’s clothes for this back-to-school season include many styles that are appropriate for the classroom while also hitting on some broad fashion trends.

For girls:

¢ A velvet pinafore with strips of ruffles down the front and two front pockets hits on the velvet trend in a very girlish way without being too cute. (Mini Boden)

¢ A blazer is a key piece in the fall wardrobe but to keep the look youthful, consider a bright color or print, and a shrunken shape. (Talbots Kids)

¢ Stretch corduroy skirt in an A-line shape. Looks like a miniskirt but the hemline is extended by piecing a band of cotton flannel. (L.L. Bean Kids)

¢ Jeans that hit the natural waistline but have other details to make them look hip. For example, a lace-up detail on the hips or age-appropriate embroidery of butterflies or flowers. The jeans can be paired with a long-sleeve T under a short-sleeve T with a bold graphic or jazzy trim. (T.J. Maxx)

¢ Many skirts have built-in shorts underneath, which can encourage girls to be active without sacrificing modesty. (Gap Kids)

For boys:

¢ Neat flat-front khaki pants – that also come in blue – worn with a ringer T-shirt under a crisp button-down oxford shirt. How do the pants stay so neat and crisp? A Nano-Tex fabric treatment that resists spills, stains and wrinkles. (Old Navy)

¢ Tailored cargo pants in twill or corduroy (instead of denim) look more polished, but boys will still have the pockets they love. The layered look would great on top: perhaps a plaid button-down shirt under a striped rugby in the same color palette. (Ralph Lauren’s Childrenswear)

¢ Open-bottom climber pants have reinforced knees and an elastic waist with a built-in belt, so boys can run, jump and play all they want, but their pants will stay in place and in one piece. (Lands’ End)

¢ Graphic T-shirts are a modern, skater-inspired style, but the images can be tailored for different ages. (Healthtex)