Back to School Trend: Do We Adopt It or Not?
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The hashtag #BackToSchool on TikTok generates millions of views. It showcases back-to-school outfits, hauls, and various essential (or not) purchases that most people start making as early as the end of August.
I must admit that as a fashion writer, September is my favorite month. Personally, it’s a chance to start fresh, and with the added bonus of sunshine! Professionally, it’s also the month of the global Fashion Weeks, a particularly exciting time for a fashion journalist.
So, do we embrace this back-to-school phenomenon that returns every year, or not?
Let’s embrace back to school to celebrate the return!
Let’s be honest, it’s always nice to buy new clothes to feel good. Plus, in September, the weather is often ideal. Not too hot and not too cold, allowing for skirts or pants, t-shirts or blouses. (Except in Germany, where temperatures can drop from 35 to 18 degrees… in one night!)
However, one of the major issues with the back-to-school trend is that it exacerbates social inequalities. On one side, those who can afford shopping sprees; on the other, those who do not have that privilege. Not to mention the ecological impact of a fashion industry that encourages starting the school year with entirely new clothes and accessories.
So, what do we do in the face of this dilemma?
How to adopt the Back to School trend?
- We give away or sell clothes we no longer wear
Buying new clothes is great, but giving a second life to those we already own is even better. So, before diving into a shopping spree, think about selling or donating your old clothes to others or to charities.
- We visit the hairdresser
Getting a haircut should be a ritual for everyone before the new school year. Moreover, right now, there’s no hesitation about the cut to adopt: the bob.
- We research trends for the year before Shopping Day!
We adopt conscious shopping, meaning we buy less but better. To always stay ahead of fashion, there’s a simple trick: follow the September Fashion Weeks, read articles, inform yourself about the trends of the year, and make them your own. Only buy pieces that you are sure you will wear.
No, or rather yes,… but with outfits you already own!
One of the biggest problems I see with the back-to-school trend is the risk of sending the wrong message to our children and the future generation. Let me explain: renewing a significant portion of one’s wardrobe once a year, by buying new and often excessive items, clearly does not align with ecological responsibility. Yet, it’s evident that we must continue to dress ourselves.
So, what do we do instead?
- We buy second-hand
How can we get more quality clothing at lower costs while adopting a more ecological approach? The answer: second-hand.
Platforms like Vinted or Vestiaire Collective are trending, and you can find luxury brand pieces at very affordable prices.
- We create back-to-school capsules with pieces from our wardrobe
Even those who think they have nothing to wear can undoubtedly create back-to-school capsules. Just combine basics, like a white t-shirt and a blazer, jeans, and enhance the look with a few accessories or jewelry to personalize the outfit.
Result: we adopt the trend without overconsuming!
Of course, it’s enjoyable to indulge in a few purchases to mark the beginning of a new fashion season, but it’s not necessary to renew your entire wardrobe. We focus on trendy basics that we can reuse throughout the seasons.
The ideal is to create special back-to-school capsule collections with clothes we already own, without needing to buy a lot more. For example, you can pair a skirt with autumn ankle boots, or wear an oversized sweater over a short skirt in case of a windy day.
In summary, we show creativity, think about the planet, and save money at the same time.
Shopping selection
We treat ourselves, yes, but with moderation: just a few pieces, and above all, we prioritize brands that are transparent about their traceability and offer durable clothing. Here’s my shopping selection for this back-to-school season, featuring brands that create quality basics while ensuring they have as light a carbon footprint as possible.
image in the header: ©tot/unsplash
