Sarah Tucker’s family is always on the go—especially when school and sports ramp up in the fall. Along the Manatee River in Palmetto, Florida, the lifestyle blogger lives with her husband, JB, and two boys, John, age eight, and Wesley, age six. “The two of them keep us pretty busy,” she says of her sons, who embrace their hometown landscape to the fullest. “They’re incredibly active, especially on the river—they love boating, fishing, all of it.” Though fashion and style are central to Tucker’s own world, comfort and functionality are the name of the game when it comes to dressing her boys. That’s why the kids’ line by Polo Ralph Lauren, available at Dillard’s, makes such a good fit. In classic colors and high-quality fabrics, the pieces can go from the classroom to the golf course, while always leaving room for a little adventure. We recently chatted with Tucker about all things back-to-school, from outfits to after-class activities.
by RACHEL HAHN
video by MIKA ALTSKAN AND MATVEY FIKS
With a busy fall calendar, blogger
Sarah Tucker turns to Polo Ralph Lauren
to easily outfit her boys
Dressed
for Success
Style is a big part of your life. Do your boys take an interest in their clothes as well?
I’d say it’s mostly my territory, though they can be pretty mindful of what looks nice. They’ll often come to me and ask, “Does this match? Does this work?” So they do have some sense of style. My youngest is always popping his collar, and I’m like…is that on purpose? [Laughs.]
How do your boys’ personalities play into the clothes you choose for them?
I sometimes think they couldn’t be more opposite. John is super sweet, just the ultimate big brother—he’s always looking out for Wesley, and everyone else around him. Maybe it’s a firstborn thing, but he’s always a bit more careful. He draws a little more inside the lines, and he never gets anything on his shirt.
With my younger son, though, you can’t even imagine all the stuff he gets on his shirt! He loves comfortable clothes—the softer the better. If he’s picking out his outfits, he’s always going for pants with an elastic waist, so I was excited to see plenty of those in the Polo collection. While John always has a belt on, looking a little more polished, Wesley is all about comfort.
What do you look for when shopping for kids’ clothes?
I like high-quality clothes that can transition well—things the boys could wear to church or the golf course. Fabric is also really important to me. I have a godson and a nephew, so all of the boys’ clothes eventually get passed down. It seems everything I buy is worn by at least four or five boys. So it’s great to see these pieces be loved and re-worn by another family.
What does the back-to-school time look like for your family?
The boys are super excited. In addition to school, they have a lot of activities that are starting back up, too. We have tennis one afternoon, golf another afternoon, and soccer a few nights a week. My husband played baseball and a bunch of other sports, so he’s always been an amazing coach for the boys. In a lot of ways it's hard to compare the two, but they’re definitely on the same page when it comes to sports. They just love it.
Polo has some sentimental value for you as well. Why is it special to share that with your boys?
My grandfather always wore Polo, and that memory has stuck with me since I was a kid. He was always dressed to the nines—even just pajamas were those classic button-downs. It’s such a big part of how I remember him, so I always think of him when I see Polo.
To shop these looks and more by Polo Ralph Lauren, visit Dillards.com
Sarah’s tips for
back-to-school shopping
Shop Sarah's Picks
Opt for classics
1
Choose clothes in your kids’ colors, but keep the silhouettes and styles classic. I tend to get Wesley more red shirts and John more blue, but they’re always in polos and tees. The colors pair well with jeans, khakis, and navy shorts, so it's easy for them to dress themselves without worrying about matching.
Plan ahead
Have them lay out their clothes the night before, complete with socks, a belt, and underwear, so getting dressed is the easiest thing they do all day.
Fit and comfort are key
It’s important for kids to feel comfortable in their clothes so they can work hard and play hard. Make sure shoes fit well, fabrics are soft, and tags aren't bothering them.
Shop for longevity
Choose quality over quantity. Investing in high-quality items ensures clothes will last from John to Wes, from Wes to my godson, and on and on.
On John: Little Boys Short-Sleeve Polo Bear Tee, Little Boys Hampton Straight Denim Jeans. On Wesley: Little Boys Short-Sleeve "P" Logo Tee, Big Boys Poplin Jogger Pants, Boys' Graftyn Sneakers (Youth).
On John (left): Little Boys Short-Sleeve Camo Tee, Little Boys Hampton Straight Denim Jeans, Boys' Geoff Sneakers (Youth). On Wesley (right): Little Boys Short-Sleeve Fall Polo Bear Tee, Big Boys Poplin Jogger Pants, Boys' Layton Sneakers (Youth).
Left: On John: Little Boys Long-Sleeve Oxford Shirt, Little Boys Hampton Classic Straight Black Denim Jeans, Boys' Geoff Sneakers (Youth). On Wesley: Little Boys Long-Sleeve Oxford Shirt, Little Boys Hampton Classic Straight Black Denim Jeans, Boys' Graftyn Sneakers (Youth). On Sarah: Denim Shift Dress. Right: On Wesley: Big Boys Classic Mesh Polo Shirt, Big Boys Poplin Jogger Pants.
Left: On John: Little Boys Long-Sleeve Chambray Shirt, Little Boys Suffield Chino Pants, Boys' Geoff Sneakers (Youth). On Wesley: Big Boys Classic Mesh Polo Shirt, Big Boys Poplin Jogger Pants, Boys' Graftyn Sneakers (Youth).Right:On John: Little Boys Long-Sleeve Oxford Shirt, Little Boys Hampton Classic Straight Black Denim Jeans, Boys' Geoff Sneakers (Youth). On Wesley: Little Boys Long-Sleeve Oxford Shirt, Little Boys Hampton Classic Straight Black Denim Jeans, Boys' Graftyn Sneakers (Youth). On Sarah: Denim Shift Dress, Audrie Leather Logo Thong Sandals.
On John: Little Boys Short-Sleeve Camo Tee, Little Boys Hampton Straight Denim Jeans, Boys' Geoff Sneakers (Youth).
On Wesley: Little Boys Short-Sleeve Fall Polo Bear Tee, Big Boys Poplin Jogger Pants, Boys' Layton Sneakers (Youth).
2
3
4