We’re halfway through summer and it’s already time to start thinking about school. While many of our favorite brands are announcing back to school sales left and right, it doesn’t mean it’s time to start packing away your kids’ summer favorites. In fact, even when fall rolls around, you can keep summer staples like shorts, dresses, and tanks in use by layering them with new items. I don’t know about you, but my Fancy Girl has a few favorites that she will have a hard time putting aside when summer ends. Now she can show her fashion sense by being frugal and savvy with layers. And if she doesn’t think it’s “cool” to wear summer styles in the fall and winter, just direct her to the latest issue of InStyle Magazine, featuring a multi-page spread of summer-to-fall looks!

Below is the first in our many-part series of Back to School looks for your Fancy Girl. We took a pair of blue sailor shorts from J. Crew (which are currently on sale for $24.99) and styled them to work like a skirt. Let us know what you think!  And, if there’s something you have in your closet that you’d like to know how to re-style, give us a shout. We’ll customize a look for you!

Top: Kaleidoscope Top, $36, CWDKids.com

Shorts: Girls’ Sailor Short, $24.99, J. Crew

Tights: Ribbed Ankle Tight in Golden Sun, $18 (1/2 off 2nd pair), Hanna Anderson

Boots: Buckle Riding Boots, $64, CWDKids.com