The Newport Beach Guide for Back-to-School Shopping: From Apple iPads to Zip-up Hoodies
If your kids have been living in swimsuits and flip flops these last couple of months (and who wouldn’t, this summer’s been a scorcher), you may have hardly noticed that they’re now two inches taller than they were in June. Summer has flown by, and it’s almost time for the kids to head back to school. Since the closet is full of jeans that have turned into highwaters and t-shirts that now look like crop tops, now is a great time to shop the sales and get your kids outfitted for the first day of classes. We’ve covered all the bases in this guide for back-to-school shopping in Newport Beach, with everything from Apple iPads to zip-up hoodies.
Anchored by large department stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s with smaller boutiques lining the walkways in between, the open-air shopping mecca that is Fashion Island can be your one-stop-shop for all things back to school.
Nordstrom has a wide-selection of brands to fit almost every child of every age, plus necessities like backpacks and shoes. Peruse the rows of trendy backpacks, including colorful Fjällräven rucksacks and retro Herschel bags. If your kid likes to stick to the classics, they also have a wide selection of backpacks from Jansport and Eastpak. Don’t miss out on the large shoe section, from Nikes to Natives to Vans.
Peek kids makes playful clothing for plucky youngsters ages 0 -12. Every new line is centered around the ideas of sophistication, nostalgia and wit. The store has a solid selection of basics like high-quality cotton tees and denim. It’s the perfect time to stock up as all tees and denim are buy one, get one 50% off during the back-to-school shopping season.
With an internationally-inspired focus, the Fall 2018 line includes a graphic tee that highlights endangered animals on a world map, and others with fun postcard-type prints from places ranging from Joshua Tree to Portofino, Italy. The girls’ clothing this season features peasant tops and designer dresses with fun textures like embroidery and pom poms.
If your kids already love their classic striped pajamas from Hanna Andersson, you can be sure they’ll love the rest of the simple, bold, and incredibly soft organic cotton clothes made by this Swedish-inspired retailer. These clothes were made with comfort in mind, so your kids can be their best whether they’re out running, jumping, and climbing, or just trying to focus in the classroom.
This season’s girls’ collection features colorful, soft tulle and poplin skirts, bright patterned leggings, and cute plaid dresses. Boys can choose from rugby shirts, henley tees, and jersey polos in a wide variety of solid colors and fun stripes. The weather has been so hot recently, it’s hard to believe long sleeves will ever be necessary again, but they also have basic sweatshirts and zip-up hoodies for when the temps finally do cool down. Hanna Andersson also carries a selection of playful backpacks and lunch bags with space-themed and floral prints.
Back when I was in high school, my TI-83 calculator was the coolest piece of tech I had in my backpack. Nowadays, students often use iPads or laptops for research or assignments based online. Stop by the Apple Store to test out the complete line of Apple products in this fully interactive store.
Lido Marina Village is a charming, pedestrian-friendly village located right on the marina at the entrance to Lido Island. You’ll find a mix of laid back but upscale boutiques, so you can squeeze in some shopping for both you and the kids.
Marine Layer is a California-based clothing company focused on making “absurdly” soft, eco-friendly t-shirts. They’re the perfect closet staple for both you and your teen kids. They also have a collection for ages 1-5, so you can go matchy-matchy with your mini-me.
Helping your son or daughter find clothing and accessories that allow them to express their personality and feel comfortable is so important, especially with something they have to wear everyday – like glasses. Luckily, the chic yet affordable eyeglass retailer Warby Parker recently scaled down a few of their favorite frames to offer them to a younger crowd.
Stop by the Warby Parker shop within Alchemy Works: Harbor House so your child can find their new favorite specs. Frames start at $95 and come in two sizes: Jr. (for kids 8 and up) and Jr. Jr. (for kids 4–7). Styles including the Daisy, Lyle and Louise come in fun and playful colors like Oxford Blue Crystal, Peony, and Tea Rose Fade. Plus, for every pair of children’s glasses you purchase, a pair is given to a kid in need through the Warby Parker’s Pupils Project.
If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind pieces, drop in to Magnolia Charlie, the charming children’s boutique on Balboa Island. This locally owned shop has been dressing children from babies to tweens in Newport Beach since 1997. The owner personally curates the store, in search of the cutest nautical-themed dresses, leggings, shirts and shorts.
The Red Balloon
The Red Balloon is another long-running local boutique featuring high-end designer wear for both women and children. Owner Janice Greenwood says she looks for pieces that are “classic, with a current twist.” The store carries brands like Tocoto Vintage, Stella McCartney Kids, and Scotch & Soda Kids, in sizes newborn to 14. The store prides itself on its excellent customer service, which is probably why they have such an enthusiastic and loyal customer base.
Written By: Kelly Barcus
