THE MAMA STYLE LIST – BACK TO SCHOOL STYLE SPECIAL

Wow! Little MG starts reception in just a few weeks. I knew this day would come, but these pre-school years have whizzed by and here I am getting him ready for big school, such a huge milestone in both of our lives. So, this edition of The Mama Style List is a Back to School Style special, the inaugural post in a series of handy edits of everything you need to start the new school year in practical style.

Now, I’m fortunate, MG got a place at the same school as his preschool. So, the transition should be relatively easy. The route is well worn, he will have a few friends in his class and I know and love the school’s facilities and staff. I also know that come winter, he will return home with snot down his school jumper, food stains on his shirt collar, pen marks on his hands and occasionally the school’s spare set of uniform, if he hasn’t made it to the loo in time. So enjoy my back to school round ups, knowing they come with some experience.

Style After Nine The Mama Style List Back to School Special

These are a few of my favourite back to school buys for little dudes and dudettes

Clockwise top left:

Little MG is a little badman on his Micro Scooter, which made last year’s preschool runs so much easier, but now I realise he can’t ride a bike and have decided it’s time he got cracking. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with this Electra Straight 8 1 16″ Kids Bike, which has the look of a cool motor cross bike, but comes with stabilisers, bell and dust caps and not a superhero in sight.
As I said, MG’s preschool year was a bit of a dry run for Reception, which means I know Marks & Spencer uniform is just pukka for quality and fit. Considering he had to wear joggers for pre-school, they still look brand new, no sagged out knees, even more impressive after weekly washes. So, I’m sticking my flag in the sand and have just bought all of MG’s school uniform (bar his logo’d school jumpers). I recommend doing this early to avoid the bum rush and size availability. It’s also great to know something has been ticked off the list. Shop the Marks & Spencer school uniform collection here.
It seems like the patches trend I spoke about last year is here to stay and I have a great solution for giving a plain school coat a 10 minute designer makeover using iron-on patches. So stay tuned, to see how I do it. John Lewis have a great selection to get started with, why not chose your child’s initials or let them pick their favourite badge or kit and I’ll see you next week, ready to transform their outerwear.
We love Dick Bruna books, they’re so colourful and charmingly direct. His ‘The School’ story is the perfect pre-Reception prep for little ones who may not have gone through pre-school and are coming from nursery or home. I’m getting this for MG as a little gift to set him on his education journey. We can read it together and it will be a great conversation starting point as he compares it to his days.
Unless, they’re bringing in their pack lunch, the Reception classes at MG’s school won’t really need a back pack. They will have a book bag and free school dinners. I still want one for MG, because….well because of tradition, because little kids look so cute in ruck sacks and their are too many great ones out there for me to deprive myself,…i mean MG of. I’ve got a thing for Herschel Supply kids’ back packs, because my husband loves his and I know they’re great quality, as well as cool.
I recently styled a Back to School-inspired editorial (coming out soon) and had the pleasure of loaning Young Soles shoes for the photo shoot. Young Soles is a luxury children’s footwear brand with the most stunning range of lightweight leather shoes. They’re kinda half vintage and half urban kicks and ever so beautiful, all designed in London. I’m a little cuckoo for the T-bars, boots and Monk Shoes and know they will bring a bit of individuality and style to the most rigid of school uniforms. Shop here.