Kick the school year off in style with these great shoes
Whether your kiddo will be walking to the bus stop or navigating a brand new college campus come August, a good pair of shoes is a must-have for the start of the school year.
Kick the new academic year into gear with a great pair of kicks. The perfect equation for school shoes: Equal parts comfy and cute.
Here are our picks for back-to-school shoes that are totally making the grade — all the way up from kindergarten to college.
Elementary school:
Little kicks for your little kids! They’ll need a pair of shoes to help them conquer the jungle gym and sprint at full speed when they’re running late for the bus.
The chambray on these high-tops can be treated as a neutral and will match just about anything in your little girls’ wardrobe. The light denim material just screams “back-to-school style” and how adorable are those polka dot laces? Girls Chambray High Tops, on sale $24 (plus Cash Back), oldnavy.com
We love the design of these boys’ shoes because the high tops are built for play, but the faux leather on these shoes lends a scholastic look. A little bit rugged, these shoes are made for exploring the playground. Boys Faux Leather High Tops, on sale $27 (plus Cash Back), oldnavy.com
Middle school:
Ballet flats are forever in style and are an easy slip-on shoe for tweens that work just as well with skirts and dresses as they do with jeans and T-shirts. We’re loving the juxtaposition of bright colors with faux leather accent bow on these round-toe ballet flats. Canvas Classic Ballet Flats, on sale, $14 (plus Cash Back), aeropostale.com
Low-tops are cool, casual and comfortable for boys. Canvas low-tops will pair just as effortlessly with Bermuda shorts as they do his fave pair of denim. These faded red shoes are the perfect match for plaid button-ups or plain V-necks. AEO Canvas Sneaker, $24.95 (plus Cash Back), ae.com
High school:
Low-heeled booties are where it’s at for fall fashion. In the warmer back-to-school months, pair these booties with dresses and skirts. When crisper fall months come our way, they’re the ideal match for denim and light knits. These Franco Sarto zip-up booties are made with a low-stacked heel so that comfort is not sacrificed for style. Granite Bootie Nordstrom Exclusive, $79.90, nordstrom.com
A sturdy, handsome pair of boots for young men are a style staple worth investing in. These waterproof boots are great for fall and winter and have a durable lug sole for good traction. Timberland Premium Heritage Round-Toe Boot, on sale $126.90 (plus Cash Back), nordstrom.com
College:
Ditch the heels, ladies! College campuses are made for walking and there are plenty of stylish flats in the fall 2015 fashion line-up. One of our fave comfy flat styles: Fancy flats. Designer Christian Siriano has teamed with Payless for a line of shoes that not only fit your style, but also your budget. These flats have a faux patent upper and a dual grosgrain bow. Women’s Camila Bow Flat, on sale $19.99 (plus Cash Back), payless.com
Boat shoes for young men are a fall classic and are comfortable enough to be the perfect campus walking shoe for young men. These boat shoes have a faux leather upper, laces and memory foam to keep ‘em comfortable. Men’s Benton Boat Shoe, on sale $29.99 (plus Cash Back), payless.com