Teen and Tween Back to School Shopping with the Nordstrom Sale

Lets go back to school shopping for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year! 

I officially have a 10th grader and a 5th grader and it is so bittersweet! I love to watch them grow into their individual selves and am so proud of the young people they are becoming but, and it is a big but, I don’t like how quickly the years seem to pass. I remember my Grandparents commenting how fast I grew and how fast time flies and in my young mind I was thinking “Are you crazy or just old because a day sometimes feels like a lifetime!” 

And then I had kids….

When life is swirling all around you; work, bills, school, sports, doctor’s appointments, meal planning… time does seem to just slip by without our consent. Do I feel old enough to have a 15-year-old? Absolutely not! It feels like 4 years ago I was graduating high school myself! 18 years bringing up a child seemed so long and now it seems I only have a few short years left before my young man is out in the world without me with his sister following just a couple of years behind. 

So all we can do y’all is try to impart as much wisdom was we can. 

Teach then not to be naive but also don’t be too cynical or good people and chances may pass them by. 

Teach them to respect themselves and in return have respect for others. 

Teach them to always stand up for themselves and anyone else they see that may need some help of their own. 

Teach them to always put their best foot forward because no matter how hard you try there is no second chance at a first impression! 

Teach them to always work hard, put forth the effort, and never be a slacker because nothing is owed to us in this life and the only constant is death and taxes. 

Lastly, but honestly the first thing, is always to turn to God because none of us can do life without Him. 

I had my children scour the Nordstrom Anniversary sale for some of their back-to-school items because they desperately needed a closet update they grew like weeds this summer! They found some great items and best of all it’s tween/teen approved since they found them! 

Starting with my teen son… He fell in love with these Boss sweatshirts. They aren’t too thick, have just enough of the logo-bearing trend without it being over the top. These Zella tech shirts are great fitting and look good on for an athletic shirt. He found this psycho bunny top in the sale and liked the branding so that went into the cart as well. What would a teenager’s cart be without hoodies and joggers? He loves these Nike joggers and said they fit well. Hoodies are so popular right now it’s hard to get him out of them. His current favorite is this cream “Healing Ourselves” graphic hoodie that he refuses to take off because it’s so soft. Calf socks… need I say more? Slides for the “socks and slides” outfits, Ultra boosts for comfort and Nike’s for a bit of style. Honestly, it’s hard to get him out of Jordans but these shoe picks are in the rotation. 

These extra finds are just as essential apparently because he’s already asking for these for Christmas. This Champion set because Champion is a big brand with the teens right now, probably because the parents are happier paying their more reasonable prices. These Timberlands for those days he needs boots, and these Air maxes because as he says…” They’re AirMaxes”   

My tween Daughter on the other hand is just really figuring out her style and hers is a bit like mine and likes to dip into a few categories.  She fell in love with his waffle knit grey set with flare legs…literally won’t stop talking about it. Some cute essential tops, jeans, and joggers. This moto jacket because aside from her Sunday-Best what doesn’t it go with? This green wubby jacket is so cute, soft, and Reversible so 2 jackets in 1. North Face makes a great vest so she had to get one like Mom and Dad. Slippers because we have wood floors and it can get cold. Nike sneaker for more active days, Vans, and Converse for everyday ease. She is in love with these platform converse high tops and I love how wipeable they are and even got a pair for myself as well! The camel-colored boots are just too adorable to pass up! 

Her extra finds were just as good! This tie-dye shacket she is already asking for Christmas and the boots in black! This fleece sunflower pullover is just too cute and reminds me of my middle school room and these socks are so fun! 

Lastly, my husband picked up a few things as well. He picked out more then he bought which I find typical Dad behavior, lol. Barbour, if there is one higher-end classic brand that he loves it’s this one! (I can’t blame him I do too!) Their jacket and Gillet vest were in the sale and since he already has the jacket he opted for the vest. He found a couple of tops as well as some no-show socks. Bombas if you haven’t tried them is worth the price tag and they give away a pair of socks to someone in need for every sock sold! A classic white sneaker because this man cannot keep a sneaker clean so they are in the buying rotation. Ultraboosts and On’s for running and comfort! If your man hasn’t tried either I suggest trying one if not both, I promise they will thank you! Lastly, some classic boots because he can wear down a boot, and Ugg’s withstand a lot while being comfortable and stylish! This Kiehl’s face wash and body wash he was sworn by for years so he was so excited to see it in the sale and says these bottles will last him until next year’s sale! 

His extra finds were these Air maxes because our sons’ love of stylish sneakers is wearing off on us. These are his favorite slippers by a mile when the cooler weather comes. These types of tech commuter pants are his favorite because they look nice for meeting a client but are stretchy enough he is comfortable in them all day and if needs can get some work or a workout done in them as well. He loves the Fabletics ones so he wanted to see what Zella’s are like. 

You can find all of their picks linked and easy to find in my LiketoKnow.it shop! If you aren’t already follow me over there for some app-only content, like daily deals or styling guides! While you’re at it make sure you are following me on Instagram too for more daily life! I’m always easy to find as @designingDanielle!

Well, y’all I hope this helps tackle the back-to-school closets and maybe even some early Christmas shopping! I would love to hear what you have found or things your family swears by! Let me know in the comments!