From left, Chloe Franklin, 5, Braxton Stofer, 4, and Taysia Hunter, 6, wear outfits that would be great for school.

Taysia's outfit (first grade): Maxi dress, 0, Target; denim vest, 6.99, Target; shoes, .99, Target; backpack, , Walmart; headband, , Family Dollar

Chloe's outfit (kindergarten): Top, .99, Kohl’s; denim skort, , Kohl’s; sandals, 4.99, Payless ShoeSource; lunch bag, .99, Target

Braxton's outfit (preschool): Shirt, 5, Gap; shorts, 0, Gap; shoes, 0, Gap; lunch box, 0 Target

Back to school shopping can be a daunting task because there are so many options out there nowadays.

As kids (and young fashionistas) we were always excited to go shopping for our school clothes. We never had to wear school uniforms as we attended a public school, making shopping for outfits that much more fun knowing we didn’t have to abide by strict dress codes.

We never wore anything over the top because school clothes shouldn’t be distracting. But there are still ways to allow your grade-school-age kiddos to show off their personalities through their style in a learning environment, which is why we are going to break down some easy trends that your little ones can incorporate into their back-to-school wardrobes!

For the boys

You can never go wrong with the preppy look for your little (or big) guy.

A classic polo can be found just about anywhere, so stock up on those because they can be worn in the summer heat and layered under sweaters for fall.

Patterned cargo shorts are really big this season as well. Try finding color combinations and patterns that can be mixed and matched with different T-shirts or polos. For example, if you bought a couple of pairs of patterned shorts, buy some solid polos that you can pair with them. And if you get solid shorts, buy a patterned polo; you get the idea.

The slip-on sneakers are popular right now among all ages. They are easy to slip on and off, which is always a good thing for the young ages. If you’re wondering what color, buy a neutral darker color (that won’t show dirt) like Navy or a charcoal gray.

Other staples: Sneakers (we prefer high top or low top Converse or Converse lookalikes), jeans, brown and black belt, socks, button-up shirts, a pullover fleece or hoodie and cardigan.

For the girls

Skirts and skorts are everywhere right now, and they all happen to be adorable, so I can see how it can be difficult to pick the right one.

Denim skirts are making a huge comeback, and they are super cute and functional for the little ladies, especially the skort style with built-in shorts. They can be paired with T-shirts, tank tops or even blouses. The best part is you can wear them with leggings and boots in the fall and winter!

Maxi dresses are also popular this season. They are the perfect piece to have for hot temperatures, but also can be layered with denim vests or jackets into fall.

Other staples: a jumper dress, cardigan, ballet flats, leggings (printed and solid), socks, solid tights, sneakers, fleece and or hoodie, hair accessories like headbands and bows, and skinny jeans.

The essentials

Every kid needs a stylish backpack and or lunch box. This is when you should really let your kid’s personality shine. You could go with their favorite cartoon character, or a more high fashion option like a slouchy style rucksack in fun prints such as polka dot, stripes or camo! We have even seen customized monogramed backpacks (which we love)!

Here are some of the best stores to shop for kids clothes in Lawrence:

• Gap Kids, 643 Massachusetts St.: Trendy all American (also has school uniforms)

• Target, 3201 Iowa St.: Stylish and affordable (also has school uniforms)

• Kohl’s, 3240 Iowa St.: Lots of school uniform attire with an updated style

• TJ Maxx, 3106 Iowa St.: Designer finds at a discount

• JC Penney, 3311 Iowa St.: School uniform options and fun trendy pieces