Outfit for Back to School: Which Piece(s) to Invest In?
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What if the back-to-school season was an opportunity to refresh your style and dress well? As September approaches, that’s the question I’ve been pondering.
It’s often mistakenly thought that getting dressed for back-to-school is only for teenagers and young girls. So even though September signals the return to school paths, it’s also a significant time for young professionals. Many officially return to work or reinvest in their professional projects.
And this significant time is a perfect opportunity to showcase a wardrobe style that aligns with the season.
But before completely overhauling your wardrobe, it’s important to know what type of clothing to wear.
In this article, I explain the benefits of considering the back-to-school outfit question and provide examples of clothing that surely fit the “back to school” mood.
Why invest in a back-to-school outfit?
Back to school: A significant time of year to rethink your wardrobe
The back-to-school season brings a breath of fresh air.
Like the beginning of the year, it’s a new cycle. Many of us take this opportunity to start a new project, adopt a new habit, try a new activity, etc.
So why not take advantage of this significant time to give your wardrobe a second wind?
As long as I can remember, preparing my outfits for back to school in high school or college was a true game for me. I enjoyed sorting through my clothes and making room for pieces that were a bit more “workwear” like a blazer, good jeans, and a pair of dress shoes.
By putting aside my shorts, swimsuits, and beach outfits, I felt like I was reconnecting with the joy of dressing up.
So, it’s perhaps a bit reductive because summer is just as conducive to adopting a clothing style as other seasons, but that’s how I felt.
And that’s what I want to convey to you: back to school clearly marks a time of transition. We leave the beach to return to school or the office. It’s the perfect opportunity to sort through our clothes and (re)claim a city look, a symbol of determination and ambition.
Ultimately, clothing is a way to reconcile with the end of summer. We take the opportunity to wear pieces we’ve set aside for a few months, enjoying putting them back on, like good jeans or a dressy shirt. And they also give us the strength to move forward and embrace this new “school year.”
To gently adapt to the changing season
Autumn often arrives faster than expected.
As I write this, it’s too early to discuss it, I admit. But being proactive is a good thing. It will save you from showing up on November 15th wearing a t-shirt and a pair of women’s espadrilles while outside the leaves are falling and temperatures hover around 10 degrees.
But I digress.
What’s important to understand here is that revamping your back-to-school wardrobe with seasonal pieces is a way to prepare (gently, but surely), and especially mentally, to step into the winter season.
And for that, nothing is better than choosing your clothes based on the materials. Wearing clothes in accordance with the seasons is essential for comfort. A simple example: wearing linen pants in the middle of January will not do you any favors.
The materials to prioritize for back-to-school outfits are lightweight materials that work well for mid-season. Among them, we have:
- cotton: the basic material that can be found at any time of the year. For a more eco-friendly approach, opt for certified organic cotton.
- linen: a summer staple, it also adapts well to mild seasons.
- synthentic materials derived from plastic and petroleum compounds, such as polyester or elastane.
- artificial materials whose fibers are chemically created from plant sources, like viscose or lyocell, which are generally more breathable.
What outfit for back to school? 5 piece ideas to invest in
Now that you understand the importance of curating your back-to-school wardrobe, let’s look at the key pieces that make up a perfect back-to-school outfit.
Of course, the list I’m about to propose is not exhaustive. The idea here is to offer you several fashionable pieces that work well for creating a preppy back-to-school look. You can draw inspiration from them and relate them to what you already own to create your own outfit.
1- Wide-leg pants
The palazzo is a timeless piece. Outside of a back-to-school outfit, it’s a must-have in any woman’s wardrobe. It can be paired with various styles, and it’s always very comfortable to wear. It’s the epitome of comfort.
For dressing for back to school, it’s ideal because its high waist and volume inevitably add a touch of elegance to an outfit. Paired with white sneakers, a blazer, and a basic top, the XXL pants will surely give you style!
💡 Note that the palazzo is also an essential piece to wear for composing a trendy ceremony outfit.
Our palazzos to shop:
2 – The white shirt
The white shirt has probably been in your wardrobe for quite some time. No surprise there, as it’s one of the most essential pieces in a woman’s wardrobe. Since it started dressing women, the white shirt has never gone out of style. Even better, it has never been as versatile as it is today. You can wear it with just about anything: jeans, skirts, suits, overalls, palazzos… But also in many different ways: oversized, cropped, etc.
One thing is for sure, for a successful back-to-school look, the white shirt will be your ally, especially for a minimalist outfit.
Here’s a selection:
3 – The blazer
The blazer is one of my favorite pieces! I find that it complements a basic outfit particularly well, while adding that touch of character that elevates the whole look. Without hesitation, it’s the piece I would recommend for dressing for back to school. The blazer allows you to dress elegantly, but without overdoing it.
My little crush: the oversized blazer! ❤️
Here’s a small selection for a back-to-school outfit:
4 – The mini skirt
The mini skirt is the preppy trend of the year. With its early 2000s influence, it didn’t take long for the fashion scene to propel it to the forefront. It’s a key piece in a back-to-school wardrobe, as long as you know how to counterbalance its “sexy” style. To do this, pair it with a cardigan or a light knit sweater. This will add a bit more softness and roundness to your appearance. However, as there are always exceptions, you can embrace the quintessential preppy look for back to school: loafers + white socks + mini skirt.
💡Did you know? The sequin mini skirt is a strong piece of a festival outfit.
Here are 3 mini skirts to shop:
5 – The pair of loafers
Just like the mini skirt, the pair of loafers fits into the preppy style. This type of shoe has made a strong comeback in recent years, and it’s not uncommon to see them on the feet of fashionable girls. The style is minimalist yet sophisticated at the same time. We love them for the paradox they embody: both simple and with character. For sure, it’s a piece that won’t disappoint you and that you can keep for a long time.
The little downside? Comfort. A pair of sneakers is much more pleasant to wear, but it doesn’t have the same charm…
For a back-to-school or office outfit, loafers look great with well-fitted jeans that flatter your silhouette.
Here are 3 pairs I’ve selected:
Outfit ideas for back to school: Our inspirations
What style to adopt for a successful back to school? The final word
Good basics, a few pieces with a bit more edge, and 1 or 2 accessories—that’s the recipe for a successful back-to-school outfit. Ultimately, the style of this type of outfit is quite classic. But we love to twist it with little details that add a bit more character. So, don’t hold back.
And if back to school is your chance to try new practices, we share in an article a method for easy dressing: the 1 piece 3 looks. Guaranteed time-saving!
Featured image: © Unsplash/Sandra Semburg
