30 Back To School Fashion Essentials For The New Year
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Growing up, I was one of the girls that got a little excited for the back-to-school season—maybe a little too excited. I looked forward to getting new school supplies and sometimes, that also meant new clothes for the first day of school. Going back to school also meant a fresh start, which always feels both a little exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.
Back To School Fashion Essentials
Updating your wardrobe or styling new outfits are easy ways to make you feel better about the new school year, even if going back to school doesn’t excite you. Although a new year of high school or college may seem daunting to start back up again, you can still embark on it with much more style than the last with versatile, back-to-school fashion essentials.
Crop Tops
Crop tops are closet essentials and ideal to make a bunch of back-to-school outfits (if your school’s dress code allows it, of course). Basic, solid colors work best to keep an outfit simple and also make it easy to style. Although you may already have your go-to crop tops, it may be time for a refresh, especially for those well-loved tops you’re always wearing. If your tops are looking a little worn, now is the time to clean out your closet and donate them!
Style Idea: Crop tops can be paired with high-waisted pants, leggings, or flirty skirts for a variety of outfits during the school year.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Basic Crop Top
Verdusa
The perfect white cotton crop top to replace the one you were sweating in all summer!
Image: Nordstrom
Image: Amazon
Sleeveless Squareneck Crop Top
Artfish
A beige crop top with a square neckline is perfect to mix, match, and layer!
Oversized Sweaters
Oversized sweaters will be one of the comfiest back-to-school fashion items. Wear one that reps your favorite city or with a unique graphic. Other options to consider are bright, solid-colored crewnecks or classic, off-white knit sweaters. Each sweater can make getting dressed for school more fun and much easier.
Style Idea: For a simple back-to-school outfit with an oversized sweater, pair it with a mini skirt or denim shorts and some retro sneakers–you’re good to go! For a more dressed-up look, wear your favorite chunky loafers from last fall. This new sweater can be worn with any of the items on this list!
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
LA Crewneck Sweatshirt
LANGWYQU
A laid-back crewneck sweater that will match well with what is already in your closet!
Image: Lulus
Image: Amazon
Knit Sweater
Aelfric Eden
A perfect knit sweater to loosely tie around your shoulders, just like Cher Horowitz!
Button-Up Shirts
Having a button-up shirt that fits exactly the way that you want it to is a clothing item that you never want to get rid of. If you don’t already have one in your closet, this is your sign to get one for the upcoming school year. I’m a fan of the loose-fitting style–like a poplin shirt–but a more straight and fitted design is a great option, too. If a solid white one just isn’t your vibe, consider a striped pattern or a light pastel color to make it easier to style with other clothes on this list.
Our Favorites:
Image: Nordstrom
Image: Everlane
Image: Mango
Baggy Denim
Baggy denim has made a comeback ever since last year, and it’s staying for the school year, too. Baggy jeans can be much more comfortable than other styles, so finding a pair that hugs your curves the way that you want them to is an underrated pleasure. This is also a time when it’s not a bad idea to splurge on quality denim, since you are paying for its durability! If you already have jeans in a light wash, add a pair in black or another with some color.
Style Idea: Wear your new pair of baggy jeans with a long-sleeved crop top, gold hoops, and booties for a dressed-up, back-to-school look.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Women's Baggy Jeans
Levi’s
Undeniably durable denim that will last for years in this cool, baggy style.
Image: Nordstrom
Image: Abercrombie & Fitch
Maxi Dresses
A maxi dress is an ideal addition to make some stylish school outfits! The great thing about dresses is that you only have to slip them on to have a full outfit. This saves you a lot of time when thinking about what to wear the next day–all you have to do is add some accessories and put on your favorite pair of shoes. Maxi dresses are great for layering, too, so when the colder days arrive, don’t feel like you can’t put them to use!
Style Idea: Pairing a dress with your favorite all-white sneakers, chunky sandals, or leather boots are all fashionable options. Voilà, you have another cute outfit for school!
Our Favorites:
Image: Lulus
Floral Print Maxi Dress
Lulus
A black floral maxi dress to style casually or to get dressed up this school season!
Image: Nordstrom
Textured Bodice Maxi Dress
TOPSHOP
Style this dress with platform sneakers for an easy school outfit. Pair it with a leather jacket when it starts to get colder!
Image: Nordstrom
Long Sleeve Ribbed Maxi Dress
TOPSHOP
The perfect maxi dress to wear when the leaves start to change color and fall!
Flared Pants
Another worthy pair of bottoms to wear this school year? Flared pants. Unlike the typical bell bottoms, a cropped style is more chic this season, and while you can’t go wrong with solid black, a faux leather pair feels more high-end. (These will also be a fun pair of pants to wear on weekends, too.)
Style Idea: Another easy and dressy back-to-school outfit is a pair of flared pants, a button-up shirt, sneakers, and a gold choker. This outfit is meant to be seen, so consider wearing it when you have to present in front of the class!
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Cropped Knit Pants
Verdusa
Stretchy, comfy, and a wide-leg fit for extra comfort while sitting in class!
Image: Nordstrom
Faux Leather Cropped Pants
Avec Les Filles
An absolutely chic pair of faux leather pants at a great price point!
Image: Amazon
Bootcut Yoga Pants
Promover
A beige pair of flared pants is easy to style and adds variety to your back-to-school wardrobe!
Everyday Sneakers
Growing up, I almost always got a new pair of shoes for the school year. My parents believed it would help me start the year on the right foot–not joking. Either way, a new pair of shoes to wear with all of your outfits and start the upcoming school season is the type of shoe you want to buy. Consider a pair of retro sneakers, chunky Dad shoes, or a pair of all-white sneakers that won’t ever go out of style.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Sambas
adidas
Maybe the most-loved shoe on the market right now, these can be your next everyday sneakers!
Image: Nordstrom
Lift Chuck Taylor
Converse
If you’re still into the platform sneaker trend, you can’t ever go wrong with these!
Image: Zappos
990v5
New Balance
Another TikTok favorite, these fit in just right with the chunky sneaker trend. Surprisingly, they look great on anyone, too!
Leather Boots
A quality pair of leather boots are closet must-haves to wear in the coming months! They are perfect to wear on your dressed-up days or on the rainy ones that come during the winter and spring. It’s best to be prepared and feel stylish for the whole school year, not only the beginning! Leather boots will always be fashionable, so don’t fret if the pair you love might be a bit of a splurge!
Style idea: Wear your leather boots with a maxi dress and a cropped denim jacket for a back-to-school outfit that you can wear during class and for hanging out after.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Image: Amazon
Image: Amazon
Backpacks
Yes, your backpack is part of your outfit, too! For that reason, it’s best to pick one that will hold all of your tech, planners, and other school supplies securely. We suggest a backpack that comes in a solid color so that it matches your school outfits effortlessly. Consider a leather design for a little more luxury and style. However, on top of its design, make sure you pick one that is comfortable for your back and shoulders, too!
Our Favorites:
Image: Nordstrom
Water Resistant Backpack
Fjallraven
This trendy backpack is perfect for school, especially on the rainiest days! It also comes in so many unique colors.
Image: Baggu
Drawstring Backpack
Baggu
An easy, straightforward black canvas backpack to go with all your outfits in and out of school!
Image: Nordstrom
Tote Bags
If a backpack isn’t your vibe, opt for a cool tote bag. With their straight and boxy shape, tote bags can still make fashion statements. And while they can hold so much, tote bags are ideal if you don’t have a lot to bring to class, such as just a tablet and a book. Consider using a tote as an option for your lighter school days and use your backpack for the rest.
Style idea: Canvas tote bags have a way of matching with any outfit no matter what the design is! Pick one with an inspirational quote, cool art, or even design one on your own.
Our Favorites:
Image: Etsy
Image: Baggu
Image: Baggu
Make going back to school more fun with these practical and versatile fashion items! Again, you might already have a lot of these back-to-school fashion essentials, but use this as a reminder that this can be an ideal time to revamp yourself, your closet, and your whole look if you’re wanting some change to feel your best self this year!