Moms and dads want to know they nailed it when it comes to back–to–school shopping. In fact – most think they do. According to a new nationwide survey conducted by OnePoll for Zulily, 84% of parents say their kids love the clothes they pick out for them. But still – parents are soliciting input. Nearly all parents surveyed (99%) say it’s at least somewhat important to involve their kids in purchasing decisions when it comes to back–to–school shopping.
This Back-to-School season, kids are helping steer the virtual shopping cart with greater influence over parents’ purchasing decisions. For Gen Z, this moment is an exercise in self-expression and personal identity. A new trend report curated by online retailer Zulily – informed by a survey of 1,000 kids nationwide – shows that kids are not just dressing off the rack, they are taking Back-to-School fashion into their own hands with personalization as the lead theme.
I definitely let my kids help pick out the things they want as they get older.
According to the survey, 99% of parents say it’s at least somewhat important to involve their kids in purchasing decisions when it comes to Back-to-School shopping. Zulily’s 2021 Back-to-School Fashion Forecast put kids in the shopper’s seat to identify three emerging trends that show not just what kids are shopping for, but why:
- Movers & Shakers – Kids are using style to help them feel their best, and see style as a means to channel confidence and boost performance at school. Ninety percent (90%) of kids say being able to express their personal style helps them feel more productive at school. Kids also say that fashion has a direct impact on their moods, with happy, confident, and strong ranking as the top moods kids feel when they’re sporting a new outfit.
- Glue Guns & Glitter Bombs – It’s not just about feeling confident, but feeling creative. Kids are customizing their clothes with glue guns, bedazzlers, scissors and more – to create styles that are uniquely them. Seventy percent (70%) of kids say they add personal touches to articles of clothing to make them feel more distinctively special.
- Retro & Reimagined – Retro styles are back (hello mom jeans!), and kids are turning to mom and dad for inspiration. Sixty-four percent (64%) of kids aged 9 – 18 agree that they love retro fashion and it inspires their daily school outfits, and 59% of kids in that same age group say they have raided their parents’ closet for clothing. But they aren’t quite ready to throw it all the way back to the 60s or 70s. Nearly half (47%) of kids say the 2010s were the coolest decade.
How will you be shopping for your kids back to school clothes? I just love that Zulily has all the things. From back packs to supplies to fashion. What trend do your kids lean toward? Have fun and shop at Zulily.
Six kids will win $6,000 and an opportunity to help design their very own clothing collection for Zulily’s new #BacktoSchool Shop. Learn how to enter here.
To check out more style inspiration, visit Zulily’s Back-to-School Shop through September 15, 2021.
