Pencils, schedule, backpack — check, check, and check. Now what about your first day of school outfit? If you haven't figured out the perfect first-day 'fit for strutting down the school halls, now is the time to start thinking about it. You want your look to jump out, but you also want to be totally comfortable and feel like yourself in whatever you end up wearing.
The good news is that there are a ton of easy-to-wear styles trending right now that are perfect for still-warm September days but also accommodate for your itch to break out the fall boots and sweaters. If you own a slip dresses, you could wear them under any jacket, over any T-shirt, or with any boots and it'll look put-together. Or take button-down shirts as another example – you can rock them over crop tops, under preppy sweaters, tucked into mom jeans or worn with biker shorts.
Whether you're headed back to high school or off to your first-ever day of college (Eeek!), take a quick scroll through these back to school looks before the first day of the fall semester comes around.
Ties For Days
Steal a necktie from your dad's closet for a Gossip Girl-worthy ensemble. All you need is an oversized blazer, a mini skirt, a pair of chunky loafers, and some sick shades.
Mixed Prints & Patterns
Feeling stuck in a fashion rut? Open up your closet and pick out three random pieces that spark the most joy, even if you end up with a print combo you wouldn't normally wear, and try them on together. There's something about tons of color that just hits different.
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All-White Before Labor Day
There's nothing crisper than an all-white monochrome 'fit. Pair a slip skirt with your freshest sneakers, and coordinate with your bestie for a double slay.
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Coconut Girl Vibes
Summer vacay may be over, but you can keep the party vibes going with hibiscus prints and bright primary colors that bring back beach mems.
Preppy Knit Sweaters
Bella Hadid knows how to do prep in a knit top layered over a white collared shirt. Graphic pants and chunky boots make this outfit feel more relaxed.
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Fresh Kicks
Sometimes all you need to spice up an outfit like a white top and jeans is a cool new pair of sneakers, like these Air Jordans that Adut Akech is rocking.
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Vacation Shirts, Repurposed
Those funky button-downs you wore on vacay? Take them with you into fall by layering them over crop tops to make them more school-appropriate. Steal your bf's shirt for that extra slouch factor.
Faux Leather
Take a page out of Olivia's book and fall-ify your colorful, bright summer crochet sets by tossing a leather jacket over them.
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Cropped Button-Downs
Your dad's button-down shirt can be refashioned into a crop top with a few snips and tucks. Pair it with a high-waisted mini to skirt (no pun intended!) past dress code rules.
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Playing With Bold Colors
Make your Euphoria-inspired going-out tops more classroom-ready with layering. Start with matching pants, and then grab a lightweight jacket for those chillier mornings.
Kelsey Stiegman
Senior Style Editor
Kelsey is Seventeen.com's fashion expert and resident Harry Potter nerd. At the office, she spends her day writing about style, beauty, and literally every move Kylie Jenner makes. On the weekends, you can find her sifting through vintage shops and hunting for the perfect burger. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.
Hannah Oh
Assistant Shopping Editor
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.