Summers with the kids can be exhilarating: pool outings, family trips, beach days and backyard barbecues. And just when you feel like you’ve got the swing (and the scheduling) of the summer season down—boom!—it’s back-to-school time again.
The good news is: back-to-school is the perfect opportunity to refresh your family’s style—and update sizes for your ever-growing kids! To help you handle it all—with less stress—our Stylists put together the ultimate fall guide to family style, filled with practical and stylish tips to ensure everyone looks their best. Let’s get to it!
Fall Outfits for Mom
Fashion for moms? Absolutely! Expert multitaskers and jugglers by nature, moms kick into high gear when the school year starts. Whether heading to the office, playing chauffeur, planning the family calendar (or, most likely, all of the above), looking and feeling good can boost your confidence and make your day a bit easier. Let’s help you choose the perfect outfits for every occasion.
Casual fall outfits for moms
For pickup, dropoff and so many soccer practices, it can be tempting to throw on a pair of black leggings and a hoodie and call it a day (every day). But leaning into color for a more elevated casual and active fall look can be just as easy.
Stylist Emiko recommends taking your cue from the changing leaves to incorporate warm autumn colors, “Give your favorite straight-leg denim a fall upgrade with rich greens, oranges and burgundies,” she says, “then pair with your favorite striped sweater or go-to sweatshirt.” Keep footwear functional, with neutral no-tie shoes to pull on as you rush out the door: flats while it’s still warm, and boots when it gets chilly.
Women’s fall workwear
On top of the stacked family schedule, your work schedule is likely ramping up, too. To keep things effortless and professional, we love wrap dresses and A-line silhouettes for classic and comfortable office options.
For maximum versatility, Stylist Emiko suggests leaning into layers for fall. A piece she’s especially loving this season is the knit blazer. Polished, comfy and made to layer, it’s perfect for the mom on the go. For something more adventurous, she recommends a trending vest layered over a lightweight sweater or a classic workwear blouse. “A pair of cropped wide-leg pants completes the look,” says Emiko. “They’re perfect for showing off your favorite seasonal booties.”
Our final styling secret weapon for those busy days when you’re shuttling between work and family obligations: finish your work outfit with sleek sneakers. We’re loving old-school running shoe-inspired styles, but be sure to ask your Stylist for a reco personalized to your look.
Family photo shoot outfits for Mom
Fall. It’s time for apple picking, leaf peeping and…family pictures. Moms plan every part of those photoshoots to perfection, taking care of all the little details from photographer to location to outfits for the kids. It’s easy for your own look to get lost in the shuffle—here are some tips to simplify getting picture ready.
The goal is to capture the joy of your unique family, so the important thing is to find a so-you look that lets you feel comfortable. To that end, Stylist Emiko recommends keeping it timeless with elevated essentials like structured cardigans, dark-wash jeans and flats. A midi-dress-and-denim jacket combo is another strong option.
Now that you’ve got your basic shapes down, let’s talk color palette—namely, coordinating shades. “Lean into neutrals and earth tones to make matching with your family a breeze,” says Stylist Emiko, “You can also introduce a pop of color with bold accessories like a burgundy suede flat or bootie.”
Loving these tips, but just don’t know where to begin? Or just need a time saver? Tell your Stylist about your upcoming style needs and let us handle the rest. No stores, no crowds, no stress! Your personalized Fix is sent straight to your door, and you simply keep what you love and send back the rest (there’s even a free shipping return label for you). Leave the fall shopping to us, and savor those last days of summer.
Outfits for Dad
Dads have a lot on their plates, but looking stylish while feeling comfortable doesn’t have to be a challenge. With our Stylist’s fall outfit ideas, you can be ready for work, school drop-offs and family occasions with ease. Use the tips below as your guide, and enjoy the confidence that comes with a well-fitting look.
Stitch Fix shortcut: Simply don’t have the time (or inclination) to shop? Order a Fix and let your Stylist take care of everything.
Casual fall outfits for dads
Before defaulting to the ever-ready jeans and a t-shirt casual uniform, think outside the box a bit (P.S. Your Stylist can help with this). After all, casual days are the low-risk time to try flexing a new style.
Stylist Emiko’s favorite casual-look upgrades are easy. First, try colored denim. Muted tones, like olive or grey, are just different enough to elevate basic jeans, while still easily mixing and matching with your tried-and-true button-downs, henlys and sweaters.
Speaking of tops, refresh your rotation with a knit polo (a.k.a., a “sweater polo” or “swolo”). “The fine-gauge knit gives this familiar shape an instant upgrade,” explains Emiko.
More of an athleisure guy? Take your neutral joggers up a notch by pairing with a nylon bomber jacket, then finish with a great pair of casual sneakers for the perfect cool-comfort combo.
Office outfit ideas
Balancing professionalism and comfort is essential for working dads. Our expert Emiko recommends starting with a pair of commuter pants (which improve on the classic chino shape by adding 4-way stretch) in a neutral hue. They’ve got the comfort of your favorite lounge pants while keeping your look tailored when you’re on the go.
Add a pair of Snoxfords (a sneaker-Oxford hybrid) for a professional look that will keep up with you all day long. A button-down shirt in a light pattern is perfect for the office under a blazer (and works for a night out when paired with dark-wash jeans).
If implementing these tips feels like a lot, take the easy way out: order a Fix and let your Stylist handle your fall work-wardrobe refresh. Trust your Stylist to pick out just-for-you pieces that you’ll want to wear again and again.
Fall family photo shoot outfits for Dad
Family photos are cherished memories, and choosing the right outfit can make a big difference. Think about coordinating colors and patterns for a cohesive look. Stylist Emiko suggests earthy neutrals, but recommends one particularly versatile shade ahead of the rest: “Olive hues can tie your family looks together nicely without being too matchy.”
Add depth and interest to your photo looks by layering and different textures and fabrics. We love a lightweight quilted vest over a knit sweater, and our top pick is a chore coat in a rich shade like brown.
Back-to-school outfits for girls + boys
The school year is almost here, and it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school outfits for kids. Ensuring they’re both stylish and comfortable can boost their confidence and help them feel ready for the new school year. Check out our recos for outfits you and the kids will love.
First day of school
For the first day of school, versatile pieces that offer flexibility for movement is the way to go for girls and boys back-to-school outfits.
For boys, Stylist Emiko suggests finding a great pair of pull-on stretch chinos or denim. From the classroom to recess, they’re a comfortable alternative to standard sweatpants. (Bonus: many come with reinforced knees.) Zip-ups and hoodies are another essential. For the occasional switch-up, try a cozy flannel or layered collared shirt. Boots or leather sneakers could add a polished touch to his picture-ready first-day outfit.
For a girls’ back-to-school outfit, Stylist Emiko is a fan of cool denim. With so many new silhouettes and colors, there’s a denim option (many with stretch!) for showing off every kind of back-to-school style. Comfy footwear with good grip for the playground is a yes: we love Vans for that skater-girl look or sweet Mary Janes for a traditional touch. Let your little one finish her look with fun accessories like hair clips or headbands (her choice, of course!).
Fall play date outfits
For a fall play date, dressing your kid in bright colors and activewear is a perfect choice to ensure comfort, visibility and readiness for fun. Opt for vibrant, moisture-wicking t-shirts in hues like red, yellow and blue paired with stretch-based bottoms (think: leggings and hybrid shorts). Bright colors not only make your little one easy to spot in a busy park, they add a cheerful touch to their outfit. Stretchy, breathable fabrics let them take movement to the max—you’ve always got to be ready to run, jump and play!
Family photo shoot outfits for kids
For a family photo shoot with kids, work within their own sense of style to find a look they’ll love to see on the wall for a long time. When a kid feels confident and like their best self, it’s going to shine through.
Make them—and yourself—happy by letting your kid pick key pieces, then suggest ways to keep it all in the chosen aesthetic. Finding elevated versions of styles they already love can be a good place to start. For example, if your kid lives in hoodies or crewnecks, find a “dressy” knit version or soft sweater and finish with polished chinos and loafers for boys, and flats or dressy denim for girls. Young ones might want to wear a favorite costume or other dress-up outfit!
Psst: Want to skip the dressing room and get these kinds of looks straight to your door? Schedule a Fix and let our Stylists choose those cute back-to-school outfits for boys and girls! Kids Fixes have 10 items per box and can include jackets, tees, pants, accessories, swim and shoes (just tell us what you need). Keep it all and get 25% off everything. And don’t forget, returns are always free.
Stitch Fix Family Style for Fall
Now you’ve got all you need to get your family ready for back-to-school season just around the corner. Focus on comfort and let your kids develop their own style with your guidance. And parents, don’t forget about your own fall refresh for work and casual looks!
If you’re overwhelmed or just don’t have time to shop, call on Stitch Fix to take it off your list. Our Stylists are ready to get everyone set for a fall wardrobe refresh with clothes in your style, fit, size and budget. Free shipping and returns, no subscription required! See what our Stylists have in store for work, school, family photo shoots, fun outings and more with new styles for the whole family.
Meet our Stylist, Emiko Strah
Emiko Strah has been a senior Stylist with Stitch Fix since 2015. Her favorite part about styling clients is being there for them through different life experiences and finding what they’ll love for big moments. Her personal style is “minimalistic, timeless and edgy.”
