Introduction to JCPenney’s Back to School Season

JCPenney is gearing up for the back-to-school season with fresh styles and new products from Aeropostale, a youth-focused mall store brand that became a sister company to JCPenney earlier this year. The merger created Catalyst Brands, which includes several other brands such as Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, and Lucky Brand. According to Chris Phillips, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of women’s, men’s, and kids’ apparel, Aeropostale is an incredible leader in the teen space, and this partnership will allow JCPenney to better serve its customers and reach a wider audience.

The expansion is a key step following the corporate tie-up earlier this year that combined several brands. Phillips stated that Aeropostale gives JCPenney the opportunity to better serve its customers and also allows the Aeropostale brand to reach more customers. This partnership is expected to bring new and exciting products to JCPenney stores, just in time for the back-to-school season.

Back-to-School Fashion Trends

As families head out to shop for back-to-school, there are some definite trends that may seem more familiar than others. Phillips said that those shoppers are seeing rising fashion trends, including hip shorts and T-shirts. Despite questions about the economy and tariffs, Phillips said JCPenney is doing what it can to mitigate the effects. For the back-to-school season, JCPenney has held prices the same as last year for its key businesses, ensuring that customers can still afford the latest fashion trends.

JCPenney remains a sizable department chain in the U.S. with hundreds of stores, serving customers in all but one state and having several stores in North Texas. The merger this year put it under the same corporate structure with brands that include Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, and Lucky Brand.

Need for Denim

One big part of the must-haves this year is denim, according to Phillips. The company has seen an “incredibly strong” cycle with denim, adding that it was stronger earlier this year. The trends include the “really loosened up baggy silhouettes, both for girls and for guys,” Phillips said. On the girls’ side, more for teen girls, not young girls, low-rise has made a big comeback, and JCPenney is seeing this trend across a variety of silhouettes.

Children’s apparel at the JCPenney in the Stonebriar Centre mall in Frisco on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer)

Another big category is fleece, which continues to be popular among teenagers. While parents might shudder at the sight of kids wrapped up in hoodies when it’s 100 degrees, kids just love them. Phillips stated that JCPenney can sell a fleece hoodie to a teenager 365 days a year, as it’s their uniform of choice. Pants in fleece also continue to be popular, according to Phillips.

Get the Right Print

Print tees continue to be a draw, and that includes the guys’ side of the house with Formula 1 racing-inspired looks. Phillips noted that these prints can match up nicely as a contrast to what kinds of pants or shorts are being worn by teen girls. Additionally, some other callbacks are on the rise, such as a specific camouflage that was very popular back in the early 2000s, known as tree camo.

T-shirts, shown at the JCPenney at Stonebriar Centre mall in Frisco on Friday, July 25, 2025, continue to be a draw for girls and boys, said Chris Phillips, JCPenney senior vice president, general merchandise manager of women’s, men’s and kids’ apparel.(Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer)

For Texans who look for something that’s better in hot weather, there is a style that’s getting a lot of love – jorts, which are much longer, baggy, or fitting denim shorts. Phillips stated that this trend is affectionately described as jorts and is the single most important trend happening in shorts.

Fall in Line

While some clothing can make the cut for now, JCPenney sees another surge in buying when the mercury falls, and the choices in the summer aren’t as practical. Or, there can be growth spurts that make some items too small. Around the end of September, folks start to think about more purchases, which Phillips described as a “second wave.”

Texas is a little different because it doesn’t get the severe change in weather like other northern markets. However, when fall hits, parents are coming in and starting to load up on more true fall and winter products. This includes items like outerwear or heftier pants.