Shopping·8 min read

Kids’ Fall Wardrobe Essentials From Brands We Love

fall wardrobe essentials for kids
Design: theSkimm | Image: Hanna Andersson, L.L.Bean
October 18, 2024

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Oh, to be young again and have a real excuse to buy new clothes every single autumn (rather than just buying them anyway to chase the high of back-to-school shopping). If you live someplace where it gets noticeably colder around this time of year, chances are you’re looking to refresh your kids’ worn-out or too-small essentials. From new underwear and leggings to sweaters and lightweight jackets, here are some of our go-tos — and don’t worry, we’ll be back soon with more winter recs.

puffer jacket for kids
Gap

A lightweight puffer for those in-between weeks…

The earliest fall days can be so hot that your kids don’t even need a sweatshirt…and by the end of the season, those heavy-duty puffers might be coming out. But when the weather’s somewhere in the middle of those two extremes, you’ll be glad to have this water-resistant, 100% recycled nylon option on hand. ($39, Gap)

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sweaters
Janie and Jack

The most adorable fall sweaters…

There’s nothing like a toddler in a slightly-too-serious sweater…which is why we’re suckers for Janie and Jack’s fall offerings every year. These tops are well-made, easy to wash, and most importantly, irresistibly cute. Grab one or two for all your special occasions. ($37.76, Janie and Jack)($33.27, Janie and Jack)

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raincoats
Amazon

A raincoat to keep them dry on the walk to school…

It’s easy to forget about new raincoats until you wake up one morning and notice the disgusting drizzle outside. Be prepared with one of these adorable Hatley rain jackets from Amazon, which come in classic solid colors but also cool patterned versions that change colors when wet. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)($51.06+, Amazon)

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sherpa jumpsuit
Carter's

A sherpa suit for your baby’s first fall…

We don’t know when it became a requirement that every baby spend at least a few weeks wearing one of these bear-shaped suits everywhere, but we’re okay with it. This cozy one-piece, which also comes in several other designs, is a wardrobe staple for stroller walks when there’s a hint of chill in the air. ($20, Carter’s)

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dresses
Boden

The perfect dress for any get-together…

School picture day? Picnic birthday party? Thanksgiving dinner? This would easily work for all three (and any normal school day, too). The same smocked dress comes in five different, equally pretty patterns, and sizes from 2-3y up to 11-12y. ($65, Boden)

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underwear
Hanna Andersson

An underwear refresh…

Every once in a while, it’s just time to weed out and replace the more worn-out undies in the drawer. And while there are certainly more affordable ways to do it, we’ve found these organic cotton boys’ and girls’ pairs hold up noticeably better than the competition. Psst…They’re also frequently on sale. ($30/7-pack, Hanna Andersson)($30/7-pack, Hanna Andersson)

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overalls
Carter's

Some overalls the grandparents might recognize…

A pair of OshKosh overalls is basically a toddler rite of passage, so whether you like basic denim or bright red cozy corduroy, you’ll want these in your kiddo’s fall rotation. For kids who won’t leave the house dressed in something that doesn’t twirl (we know a few), there’s this dress version, too. ($25.20, Carter’s)

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leggings
Target

Basic leggings to stock up on…

Leggings get a lot of wear, so you probably want to buy a bunch — and Target makes it easy with these $5 pairs that come in neutral colors but also brighter options like purple and pink. ($5, Target)

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sweatpants
Gap

Basic sweatpants for cooler days…

These cozy sweats come in eight colors, from black and gray to deep blue, red, and yellow. They’re perfect for everything from school to sports practice to lounging on the couch watching cartoons. ($14, Gap)

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fleece
L.L.Bean

A hand-me-down-quality fleece…

You can’t go wrong with a classic. This zip-up hooded fleece comes in four colors, and kids’ sizes 4-18. There’s even an infant/toddler version, so all the kids in the family can match. ($59.95, L.L.Bean)

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bodysuits
Boden

A pack of the softest bodysuits…

This makes an excellent baby gift, since new moms and dads might not want to spend so much themselves — but they’ll love these extra-soft, 100% cotton bodysuits with simple, colorful prints that work for every occasion.($65/5-pack, Boden)

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sneakers
Zappos

Fresh sneakers that should last all year…

These are on the pricier side for kids’ sneakers, but they tend to hold up pretty well. Velcro straps make them easy to put on and take off, and the color combos should appeal to even your most fashion-forward little ones.($69.95, Zappos)($64.95, Zappos)

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rain boots
Amazon

Rain boots that won’t break the bank…

We don’t like to spend a ton on boots that may only get worn a couple times before they’re outgrown. These aren’t fancy, but do the job perfectly well — plus, they come in cute designs that will get your kids (even more) excited about jumping in all those muddy puddles. ($22.50+, Amazon)($26.25+, Amazon)

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