Outfit for back to school: in which piece(s) to invest?
What if back to school was an opportunity to rethink your style and dress well? As September approaches, that’s the question I asked myself.
We often mistakenly think that dressing up for back to school is reserved for teenagers and young girls. But even though September marks the return to school, it is also a significant time for young professionals. Many of them officially return to work or reinvest in their professional projects.
And this significant time is a perfect opportunity to sport a style that is consistent with the season.
But before completely revamping your wardrobe, it’s important to know what type of clothing to wear.
In this article, I explain the benefits of considering the question of the back-to-school outfit and I give you examples of clothes that are sure to fit the “back to school” mood.
Why invest in a back-to-school outfit?
Back to school: a significant time of the year to rethink your wardrobe
The back-to-school period brings a fresh new start.
Like the beginning of the year, it’s a new cycle. Many of us take advantage of this time to start a new project, develop a new habit, try a new activity, etc.
And why not take advantage of this significant time to breathe new life into your wardrobe?
As long as I can remember, preparing my outfits for back to school in high school or college was a real game for me. I enjoyed sorting through my clothes and making room for more “workwear” pieces like a blazer, a good pair of jeans, and a pair of dress shoes.
By setting aside my shorts, swimsuits, and beachwear, I felt like I was reconnecting with the pleasure of dressing up.
So, it may be a bit reductionist because summer is just as conducive to adopting a fashion style as other seasons, but that’s the feeling I had.
And that’s what I want to make you understand: going back to school clearly marks a time of transition. We leave the beach to go back to school or the office. It’s the perfect opportunity to declutter and reclaim a city look, a symbol of determination and ambition.
Ultimately, clothing is a way to reconcile with the end of summer. We take advantage of it to put on clothes that we set aside for a few months, that we enjoy wearing again like a good pair of jeans or a dressy shirt. And they also give us the strength to move forward and take on this new “school year” head-on.
To gradually adapt to the change of season
Autumn often arrives sooner than expected.
As I write this, it’s too early to talk about it, I admit. But it’s a good thing to get ahead. It will prevent you from showing up on November 15th with a t-shirt and a pair of women’s espadrilles on your feet, while outside, the leaves are falling and the temperatures are 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 yourself (slowly but surely), both mentally and physically, to step into the winter season.
And for that, there’s nothing better than choosing clothes based on their materials. Wearing clothes according to the seasons is essential for comfort. A simple example: wearing linen pants in the middle of January won’t do you any favors.
The preferred materials for your back-to-school outfits are lightweight materials that are perfect for the mid-season. Among them are:
- cotton: the basic material that can be found at any time of the year. For a more environmentally friendly approach, opt for certified organic cotton.
- linen: the star material of summer, it also adapts to mild seasons.
- synthetic materials derived from plastic and petroleum compounds such as polyester or elastane.
- artificial materials whose fiber is chemically created from plant sources such as viscose or lyocell, which are rather breathable materials.
What outfit to wear for back to school? 5 ideas of pieces to invest in
Now that you understand the importance of taking care of your back-to-school wardrobe, let’s take a look at the key pieces that make up a perfect back-to-school outfit.
Of course, the list I’m going to propose is not exhaustive. The idea here is to offer you several fashion pieces that work well together to create a preppy back-to-school look. You can take inspiration from them and compare them to what you already have to create your own outfit.
1- Wide-leg pants
The palazzo pant is a timeless piece. Apart from a back-to-school outfit, it is a must-have in a woman’s wardrobe. It can be combined with several styles and is always very comfortable to wear. It is the epitome of comfort.
For dressing up for back to school, it is ideal because with its high waist and wide leg, it inevitably adds a touch of elegance to an outfit. Paired with a pair of white sneakers, a blazer, and a basic top, the XXL pants will give you style, for sure!
💡 Note that palazzo pants are an essential piece to wear for a trendy ceremony outfit.
Here are some palazzos to shop:
2 – The white shirt
The white shirt has probably been in your wardrobe for a long time. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most essential pieces in a woman’s wardrobe. Since it has been worn by women, the white shirt has not aged. Even better, it has never been as versatile as it is today. It can be worn with almost anything: jeans, skirts, suits, overalls, palazzo pants… And in many different ways: oversized, cut, 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, adding that touch of character that elevates the whole look. Without hesitation, it’s the piece I would recommend for dressing up for back to school. The blazer allows you to dress elegantly without overdoing it.
My little crush: the oversized blazer! ❤️
Here’s a small selection for a back-to-school outfit:
