Back-to-school shopping season: that time of year when stationery becomes an obsession and backpacks are scrutinized like the latest fashion trend on the runway. Among the crowded aisles and long checkout lines, a shared mission unites us all as we exchange knowing glances and compete over the last pack of highlighters. Shopping for the start of a new school year might feel overwhelming, but our back-to-school checklist promises to be your ultimate guide!

Trendy Outfit Ideas for School

Colour has consistently remained a top-selling factor in the children's fashion industry, and there couldn't be a more fitting time to embrace mood enhancement dressing (also called “dopamine dressing”) than the beginning of a new school year. To achieve this, you can colour block your children’s outfits by buying jackets, shirts, dresses or shoes in different solid colours and styling them together. Some examples of back-to-school clothes for boys and girls include:

• A colourful bomber jacket with a tutu dress and ballet flats

• Pinafores or denim overalls over a printed shirt and sandals

• A moto jacket with a textured top, a multicoloured plaid skirt, and sparkle sneakers

• A printed sweatshirt over a coloured polo shirt, cuffed jeans, and boat shoes

• A plaid chambray shirt, a graphic tee, and coloured shorts

• A jean jacket hoodie, a colour-blocked t-shirt, joggers, and coloured high-top sneakers

Backpacks and Other Accessories

• A bento style lunch box is great for organised meals and snacks throughout the day.

• A stainless steel water bottle with a straw offers easy drinking and spill prevention.

• Personalized name tags for belongings are useful when storing items in cubbies or on desks, especially in the absence of lockers.

• Backpacks with a rolling option will ensure your child’s comfort while carrying their school supplies. These backpacks should have various compartments, including one for a water bottle, school supplies, smaller items and change, and a larger pocket for papers, binders, and textbooks.

• A pencil case is a must-have to keep your child's writing materials and art supplies well-organized.

Essential Supplies

Items on this back-to-school supplies list are easily customizable to align with your child's favourite themes or colours!

• A duotang or three-ring binder with pocket folders per subject can be colour-coordinated to help your child keep their class materials organized.

• Subject or binder dividers keep subject work neatly labelled and categorized.

• An agenda is useful for your child to jot down homework, class assignments, and upcoming deadlines.

• Loose leaf ruled, blank, and graph paper are necessary for essays, assignments, art, and math work.

• Notebooks per subject are recommended for homework and regular note-taking.

• A pack of pencils (mechanical or lead) ensures your child has a steady supply in case some break or get lost.

• Pencil grips and toppers offer support for extensive writing. Grips prevent slipping and irritation, while toppers double as erasers.

• Blue, black, and red pens along with highlighters will assist in colour-coordinated note-taking.

• White erasers are more effective for erasing ink without leaving pink residue or ink stains.

• A 30-cm ruler (and a protractor, if needed) is useful for various subjects, aiding in math, writing, and creating diagrams.

• A basic calculator is needed for early math concepts.

• A portable tub pencil sharpener allows your child to keep their desk and pencil case tidy.

• Washable glue sticks are ideal for arts and crafts, offering smooth, clump-free application that is easy to clean.

• Safety scissors with grips reduce the risk of harm during arts and crafts activities.