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"We're gearing up for back-to-school shopping at my house, and this year my girls' top picks are new lunchboxes, Converse and leopard prints," says mom of three, Jennie Garth. "We usually buy new things that can be mixed and matched with their existing wardrobe and check to see what fits and what doesn't before we hit the stores. Back-to-school is a great time to clean out their closets, and anything outgrown we donate or put on thredUP."

Been getting your little one ready for a stylish school season?

Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to be a chore if you follow these tips from celebrity stylist Melis Kuris, who has worked with Jennie Garth and her kids and has also styled stars on Nickelodeon shows "True Jackson, VP" and "Victorious."

(Pictured: Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli pose with their daughters at a recent event)

1. If you're looking for fashionable school attire that doesn't break the bank, invest in great basics that can be layered and mixed and matched for multiple looks. For example, long sleeved and short sleeved shirts in fun colors that can be layered on top of each other and intermixed. Graphics are more memorable and not as easy to re-wear.

2. When back-to-school shopping, I recommend investing in a few great pieces that can be mixed, matched and re-worn throughout the year.
For boys: 1-2 good pairs of jeans, a pair of Converse, 1-2 tops and a denim or utility jacket.
For girls: 1 pair of jeans, a cord or jean skirt, a pair of leggings, 1-2 tops and a cardigan or jacket.

3. Kids' fashion trends stick around a bit longer than adults'… this year expect skinny jeans to remain popular as well as graphic sneakers, leggings and faux fur vests.

4. To maximize your back-to-school budget, I recommend mixing secondhand finds with chain store basics. thredUP.com is a great kids' clothes-swapping website that I like to utilize; you can get a whole box of gently used clothing for just $5 plus shipping. Denim, sneakers, jackets, sweaters, dresses and belts are all items that are great to get secondhand. I would recommend buying tees in basic colors from a retailer like Target to supplement as kids are messy and those can be a bit harder to find used.

5. Be sure to invest in a great quality backpack that will last all year; Jansport is a good one. Some of the less expensive options tend to rip after a few months of use, and it's not a deal if you have to buy another one by Thanksgiving.

For more on Melis, head to www.meliskuris.com.