Nearly two-thirds of kids are utilizing their parents' retro fashion for their daily school outfits

By Zoya Gervis // SWNS

NEWS COPY W/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC

Nearly six in 10 American kids admit to stealing one of their parent’s old outfits to wear to school, according to new research.

A survey of 1,000 kids ages 5-18, and their parents, reveals that nostalgia for the fashion of their parents’ era is strong — with three in four kids saying they think their parent’s sense of style as a teenager was actually “cool.”

Kids aren’t just longing for styles of the past, but implementing them into their own wardrobes, with 63% of kids saying that they love retro fashion and find inspiration from the past for their daily school outfits.

One in four said that they are inspired by their parents’ fashion sense from when they were younger.

But 67% said they would take “mom jeans” over skinny jeans any day.

Parents have noticed this “retro and reimagined” phenomenon, too. Four in five parents polled say they often see their kids wearing an outfit similar to one they would have worn when they were in school.

This back-to-school season, new research shows that retro styles, DIY self-expression and personalization are emerging as key trends, and 99% of parents say it’s at least somewhat important to involve their kids in purchasing decisions when it comes to back to school shopping.

And more than half (51%) think their child’s generation actually has a better fashion sense than their own.

Yet, the survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Zulily, found that it’s not just retro styles that are trending this back-to-school season.

“Back-to-school season is always a chance for a fresh look at kids’ closets, but that feeling is amplified this year,” said Kelly Staponski, Director of Merchandising for Kids Apparel at Zulily. “By understanding what’s driving kids’ style choices, we’re hoping to help moms (who are typically the family decision-makers) see the season as an opportunity to help kids feel inspired, creative, productive and above all else – uniquely themselves.” 

A second phenomenon revealed by the research – dubbed “movers and shakers” – shows that kids see style as a way to express their confidence. 

Ninety percent think being able to express their personal style helps them feel more productive at school, and nearly half of kids (48%) think a cool or fashionable outfit is essential to their success at school.

More importantly, wearing new clothes brings joy to most kids (79%) and helps 57% feel more confident. 

Additionally, ninety percent of kids said it is important for them to define their unique personal style to set them apart from their peers. 

Another nine in ten feel that how they dress is an expression of their personal brand, sparking the “glue guns and glitter bombs” trend toward customization and personalization. 

Seventy percent (70%) of kids say they add personal touches to articles of clothing to make them feel more distinctively special. 

And outfits make an impression; 41% of kids polled said they’re likely to notice other kids’ outfits at school. 

Kids also find fashion inspiration from social media (70%), their friends (61%), or movies/TV shows (51%).

More than four in five kids (83%) actively pick out their outfits for school and half (51%) will never miss the chance to go back-to-school shopping with their parents.

FASHION TRENDS MAKING A COMEBACK

1. Short shorts (57%)
2. Baggy jeans (50%)
3. Cropped jackets (43%)
4. Flared pants (36%)
5. Middle part in hair (33%)

KIDS’ MOST POPULAR CLOTHING STYLES

1. Cool (67%)
2. Fun (50%)
3. Unique (47%)
4. Relaxed (45%)
5. Trendy (42%)