CHILDRENSALON'S GUIDE TO . . .
Accessories for Going Back to School
It’s that time of year again when we can almost hear the buzz of busy school hallways and the call of the teacher taking the daily register. Yes, the summer break may be in full swing but now's the perfect time to start thinking about all those back-to-school essentials that make student life feel that little bit more exciting and, on a practical level, so much easier.
Getting their checklist ticked off is as easy as ABC thanks to our collection of backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags and more. So read on and discover our pick of the best back-to-school accessories to kickstart an exciting new year of learning.
All images by Childrensalon
1 Jul 2024
B Is for Backpacks
Not so much an accessory as a necessity, a great backpack with padded straps and pockets is essential for stowing books and more.
ㅤ
Childrensalon's customer service team leader, Gosia Bochenska, recommends paying close attention to the straps. “They must be padded, as school bags tend to get heavy," she says. "Padding will ensure little shoulders don’t hurt at the end of the day.” Look at brands like Molo and Ralph Lauren for comfy, adjustable straps with the added option of a chest fastening for a secure fit. Easy-to-open compartments are another detail to look for; Burberry fits leather tabs on its zip-pulls for extra grip and Guess's quilted backpack has magnetic fastenings, which mean they can be opened with just one hand. For younger children, Mayoral and Powell Craft's backpacks come in lots of fun designs so they'll be easy to spot on their peg at the end of the day.
Lunch Boxes and Water Bottles
Keep them hydrated with a water bottle they'll love. And come lunchtime, their sandwiches will be fresh thanks to our insulated lunch bags.
ㅤ
After a morning of learning, lunchtime calls! Keeping their food, snacks and drinks fresh has never been easier thanks to Powell Craft's charcterful collection of lunch bags. Each design is made from coated PVC, which is effortlessly easy to keep clean, and the insulated aluminium lining maintains an optimum temperature to ensure there are no soggy sandwiches when the lunch bell rings. There are also lots of fun prints to choose from, including dinosaurs, unicorns and woodland creatures. For older kids, Tommy Hilfiger's subtly branded lunch bag will add some serious style points to their record. Again, it comes lined with insulated material with the addition of an elasticated bottle holder and a handy zip pocket for extra snacks.
Pencil Cases
Everyone knows that the best part of going back to school is organising all your shiny new pens and pencils in style.
ㅤ
There's nothing more satisfying than sorting out your stationery ready for the new school year to begin, and our collection of stylish pencil cases is the perfect place to house their highlighters, pens and other classroom essentials. We've got styles from Guess, Calvin Klein and more of their favourite designers, all made in thick cotton canvas with sturdy zippers to withstand being chucked in their bag and used throughout the day. If they like to coordinate their school accessories, some of the designs even come with matching backpacks and lunch bags.
Hair Accessories and Hats
Keep their hair looking smart — at least at the beginning of the day — with these cute hair clips and bands. And don't forget to pack a hat!
ㅤ
You've ironed their uniform, their shoes are practically gleaming after a polish and it's time to head off to school. Whether it's their first day or they're returning after the holidays, looking smart will be at the top of the agenda for your little learners. But what about taming their tresses? Our collection of hair clips, bands and ties will add a flourish to every plait, ponytail and bun. We love Patachou's tartan hairband for that perfectly preppy look and these grosgrain bows from Peach Ribbons will add a sweet finish — there's a colour for every day of the week! For the school run, a hat will keep their locks looking put-together in the wind, rain and snow. If their school uniform is traditional, then why not accessorise with a beret from Dolce & Gabbana or this felted wool boater hat by Patachou? For less regimented dress codes, a cap or a knitted beanie in classic scholastic colours of red, blue and black will do nicely.
