26 Trendy Hotspots Teens Shop Before Heading Back to School

3 months ago 35

Back-to-school shopping, in general, is enough to make you want to curl up in bed and never leave. You’ve dressed your kids with your own personal style in mind since they were old enough to wear clothes. Then suddenly, they start vocalizing their opinions, and your entire universe shifts.

Shopping with a teenager is an adventure in and of itself, overridden with unexpected twists, questionable fashion choices, and an impressive array of eye rolls and dramatic sighs. But if you go into it with a bit of insight into where they shop and what their friends and influencers they follow are wearing, you’ll come out the other side mostly unscathed – and hopefully even a little closer to your persnickety but lovable teen.

These are the trendiest stores for fashionable back-to-school finds at prices your budget can handle:

— Editors’ Pick —

New Era Cap

Three New Era caps in front of a blue wall.

New Era Caps are a stylish way to express and represent what you’re passionate about, from sports teams to cities, TV shows and more. While the caps are most popular, New Era Cap also carries tons of trendy apparel perfect for making up a back-to-school wardrobe. Shop shirts, shorts, hoodies and more. You can even think ahead and get a knitted hat with your favorite team to wear with pride throughout the winter.

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Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch — where classic meets cool in a perfect blend of style and sophistication. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back hoodie, a crisp tailored shirt, or a pair of perfectly distressed jeans, A&F has you covered in the most fashionable way.

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Aéropostale

For back-to-school apparel and accessories, Aeropostale needs to be one of your first stops. Load up on off-the-shoulder tops, woven plaids, cargos and lots more for under $50. Aéropostale’s denim collection is super legit, featuring a vast array of fits and washes.

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Altar’d State

What started as one store in Knoxville, Tennessee, today Altar’d State is shoppable online and at over 120 stores nationwide. A favorite destination for teens and really anyone with a pulse, the retailer offers trendy fashion at budget-friendly prices.


American Eagle

American Eagle has always been a must-shop when you’re searching for fashion-forward clothes at prices that won’t freak out your bank account. 

The trendy retailer has been around since 1977, selling stellar graphic tees, hoodies, accessories and more for both women and men.


Aritzia

Aritzia is a Canadian-founded fashion brand known for its “everyday luxury,” high-quality materials and the trendiest designs. They carry their own in-house brands like Wilfred, Babaton and Little Moon, as well as other popular brands your teen likely covets.

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ASOS

ASOS is a store where fashion knows no limits and individuality takes center stage by merging cutting-edge trends with a cool, unapologetic attitude.

The brand caters mostly to teens and young adults, but you’ll be tempted by the trendy grown-up gear, too, not to mention the fabulously low prices.


Belk

three smiling kids taking a selfie in front of green lockers with text

Belk, a Southern department store, caters to all ages, and is a popular spot to shop with teens. You can find trendy styles from labels like Free People, Polo Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, Carolina Herrera, and more.


Bershka

The Spanish clothing brand Bershka has over 1000 stores worldwide. When you walk into one, you’re greeted by a sensory overload of pulsating music, neon lights and a vibrant atmosphere that’s almost as cool as their fashion options.

If you’re ready to rock the latest trends with an audacious twist, Bershka is your ultimate destination.


Boden

model walking wearing rainbow chevon knit sweater and jeans

Boden is a London-based clothing retailer that operates in the U.S. and offers ethically sourced, high-quality ensembles for women, girls and boys. Teens can find stylish clothing, outerwear, shoes and accessories. Known for their bold graphic prints and colorful knitwear options, Boden offers teens many statement pieces and classic wardrobe essentials.


Brandy Melville

The L.A.-based fashion brand, Brandy Melville, captures the essence of a laid-back California aesthetic. They carry women’s clothes that are only available in one size (xs and small) — a move the brand says makes them more affordable and environmentally friendly.


Cotton-On

Starting with a stack of denim jackets in the back of a Ford Bronco, Cotton-On transitioned from the outback in Australia to the malls in America. Today, you can still snag those jackets, plus a pair of jeans, a bucket hat and tops and T-shirts as the brand expands into mainstream.


Forever 21

Forever 21 has been a mainstay in the shopping arena for decades and the ultimate style playground. It offers trendy clothes like dresses, tops, bottoms and outerwear, plus accessories and beauty products for men and women at super affordable prices.

The retailer frequently collabs with other on-point brands, including Hello Kitty, Barbie and Juicy Couture, to name a few.


Gap

Gap has been outfitting kids for decades, showing no signs of slowing down. From wee sizes up to adult options, Gap offers cool-kid apparel and parents some wallet-friendly prices.

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Garage

Garage is all about laid-back vibes and trendy styles. If you’re looking for trendy denim, check out the wide options available, including low-rise jeans, jeggings, baggies, mom jeans and lots more.


H&M

We couldn’t do a roundup of teen retailers and not mention H&M. This is our go-to for scoring the basics at prices that are, well, cheap. From millennial pink tops to bomber jackets and lots more, you can find pretty much anything trending but for prices much less than what designers would have you pay.

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Hollister

Hollister is a sister brand of Abercrombie & Fitch. Where A&F is more grown-up, Hollister is the younger fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants sister. With prices falling below its big sister’s, you can venture on a jean haul at Hollister without damaging your bank account.

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Hot Topic

Spoiler alert: You don’t have to be goth to shop Hot Topic. The store is pretty much a pop culture mosh pit of awesome. You can peruse alt-fashion collections and popular band merch from Snoop Dogg, Motley Crue and Nirvana.

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Lucky Brand

Two models wrapped in red paper with text

Lucky Brand offers high-quality denim and sportswear that combine classic styles with a modern twist, making it a reliable choice for your teenager’s wardrobe. With a focus on timeless designs, Lucky Brand provides a more mature, sophisticated alternative to fast fashion, promoting thoughtful and sustainable shopping habits.

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Mango

Founded in Barcelona, Spain, Mango fashion embodies a balance between trendy and timeless, featuring clean lines, flattering silhouettes and a focus on quality. From flirty dresses and tailored blazers to comfy denim and versatile basics, Mango has a range of styles for any occasion.

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Old Navy

Old Navy is Gap’s little sis that offers affordable, casual fashion options for the whole family — even the four-legged ones. Its trendy styles and comfy basics make the store one of the most popular choices among teens and parents for back-to-school shopping.

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Pac Sun

PacSun is the store my teen flocks to most often. Besides having super cool apparel and hip accessories, it’s a place where parents can almost always catch a deal. Some sales are more fleeting than others, like 25% off new fall arrivals for just two days, while others can last longer.

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Princess Polly

woman modeling plaid tube top crossing urban street

Princess Polly offers stylish clothing that keeps up with the latest fashion trends, making it easy to find pieces that fit your teen’s style. They offer fast shipping and easy returns, ensuring a convenient shopping experience. Additionally, Princess Polly’s influencer collaborations make it a go-to destination for fashion-forward teens.

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Shein

Shein is known for its affordable, fast fashion and quickly producing and releasing new designs to keep up with the latest fashion trends. The brand frequently partners with influencers and fashion bloggers, which your teen has undoubtedly come across on TikTok and Instagram.

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Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters is the go-to no matter what age. But for teen back-to-school styles, it might be the first stop they pick. Whether it’s carpenter pants or their famous graphic T-shirts, you can’t go wrong when you make a shopping trip — online or in-store — to Urban Outfitters.

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Zara

Zara is a global retailer that can quickly design the latest fashion trends and bring them to its stores within a matter of weeks. The fast-fashion brand has a modern aesthetic with an emphasis on quality and affordability.

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