Back to School Guide: School Shoes & Accessories
New term, new shoes, new coat! We've put together our go-to guide for getting the little ones ready for September, from choosing school shoes that'll last the year to introducing our brand new coats for this season.
Your Back to School Checklist for 2026
The summer holidays fly by, and before you know it the uniform is out, the labels are on, and it's time to get everything sorted for the new term! Whether you're gearing up for the first day of Reception or the start of secondary school, a good back to school checklist makes the whole shop so much easier.
Here's what to tick off before term starts:
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A properly fitted pair of school shoes
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A warm, weatherproof coat for the school run
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A school bag that fits books, PE kit and a packed lunch
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A pencil case stocked with all the basics
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A quick try-on of last year's uniform (they grow fast over summer!)
In this guide, we'll walk you through how to choose school shoes that'll go the distance, introduce our brand new school coats for this year, and round up everything else on the list.
School Shoes: What to Look For
School shoes get put through more than almost anything else in a child's wardrobe: six hours a day, five days a week, through playground games and PE lessons (that's what PE trainers are for!). A few things are worth checking before you buy:
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Fit first, style second. Shoes that are too big "to grow into" cause blisters and bad posture, while too small and they'll be pinching by half term. Always measure little feet before buying, ideally in-store or with our sizing guide.
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Material matters. Genuine leather or leather-look uppers breathe better and hold their shape longer than synthetic alternatives.
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Fastenings suited to age. Younger children generally get on best with touch-fasten (velcro) styles they can manage independently, while older children often prefer laces or buckles.
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Room to move. A supportive but flexible sole helps with all-day comfort, especially for children who find it hard to sit still.
Getting the Fit Right
Not every foot fits a standard width, and a shoe that looks perfect on the shelf can still cause problems if it's too narrow or too wide. If you're not sure what width your child needs, our guide to choosing wide fit school shoes covers how to check and what to look for, and our page on how to measure toddlers' and children's feet walks you through getting an accurate measurement at home.
Our Pick of the Season
Browse our full range of school shoes, including our ever-popular navy school shoes, grey school shoes, brown school shoes and brogue school shoes styles, or head straight to our dedicated Back to School collection to shop this term's full lineup in one place. Fancy something with a bit more sparkle for after-school clubs? Take a look at our light-up shoes too.
Not sure where to start? Our Best Girls School Shoes Guide rounds up this year's top picks, and if you're shopping on a budget, don't miss our 5 best affordable school shoes.
Back to School Coats: The Bella & Betsy Edit
New for this year, we've added two gorgeous school coats to the Lelli Kelly range, designed to handle the school run in comfort and still look every bit as stylish doing it.
Bella Hooded School Coat: Ruffled & Shower-Proof
A statement coat for any young fashionista! The Bella is shower-proof and warm fleece-lined, with a ruffled finish that sets it apart from a standard school coat. Available in Black and Navy, sized 3/4 to 9/10, £88.95.
Shop the Bella Hooded School Coat
Betsy Hooded School Coat: Bow Detail & Warm-Lined
An elegant, stylish and practical school coat with the cutest statement bow detail at the back. Available in Black and Navy, sized 3/4 to 8/9, £88.95.
Shop the Betsy Hooded School Coat
How to Choose a School Coat
A few things worth checking before you buy a school coat:
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Weatherproofing. A shower-proof outer, like the Bella, is worth it for the daily school run whatever the forecast throws at you.
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Warmth without bulk. Fleece lining keeps a coat warm without making it too bulky to layer under a school bag.
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Room to grow. Coats see a full school year of wear, so a slightly roomier fit at the start of term pays off by the end.
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Easy to spot. A distinctive colour or detail, like Betsy's bow, makes a coat so much easier to find on a crowded peg.
Once the coat's sorted, it's worth checking the rest of the wardrobe too. Our full clothing range covers everything else little ones need for the term ahead.
School Bags for Girls
No back to school kit is complete without a proper bag for books, PE kit and everything in between. Our new Bags collection has just landed, with a backpack and lunch bag designed to match.
Brittany Backpack: Ruffles & Sparkle
Brittany blends everyday practicality with signature Lelli Kelly enchantment. Shimmering branding, a cascade of stylish ruffles and a furry keychain with a heart charm give it that playful, princess-like charm, while a netted side pocket keeps a water bottle to hand and the roomy main compartment swallows books, snacks and all those everyday essentials. Adjustable straps mean it's comfy for little shoulders too. One size, available in Pink and Black, £39.95.
Billie Lunchbag: The Perfect Match
A touch of fun and sparkle for lunchtime! The Billie features pretty layered ruffle detailing, a sparkling silver Lelli Kelly logo and a fluffy pink pom-pom charm, with an insulated interior that keeps lunches and snacks stored neatly all day. Comfortable carry handle, easy zip-around fastening. One size, available in Pink and Black, £19.90.
How to Choose a School Bag
A few things worth checking before you buy:
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Room to grow. A bag that's roomy enough for books and kit now will still be useful as the school year goes on.
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Comfort matters. Adjustable straps mean a bag can be fitted properly rather than left to slip about on little shoulders.
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Easy to spot. A bright colour or standout detail, like Brittany's keychain, helps a bag stand out on a busy peg or in lost property.
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Match the set. Pairing a backpack with a lunch bag in the same style makes it easy to spot which bits belong to which child.
Pencil Cases & Stationery
Last but not least, no school bag is complete without a pencil case to match. Our new Blakely Pencil Case has just joined the Bags collection too.
Blakely Pencil Case: Pretty & Practical
A stylish finishing touch to school essentials! The Blakely has a pretty pleated ruffle design across the front, finished with sparkling silver Lelli Kelly branding and a branded zip charm. The spacious zipped compartment keeps pens, pencils and stationery neatly together, whether that's at school or at the homework table. One size, available in Pink and Black, £11.90.
Final Back to School Checklist Recap
Before the first day back, make sure you've got:
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Properly fitted school shoes
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A school bag
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A stocked pencil case
If you're shopping on a budget, our tips on budget back to school shopping are well worth a read, and our what to consider with new school shoes guide covers everything else before you check out.