Back to School in Style

The summer has flown by, and now it’s time to get ready to head back to school. I love the summer as much as the next person, but I am beyond excited to go back to school. I will be a sophomore this year at James Madison University. I am no longer a fearful freshman. I  have more confidence in my place at school and I want my outfits to reflect that this year.

My favorite thing about summer fashion is how carefree it is. I want to capture that feeling in my outfits for the upcoming school months, as well as make them wearable for the cooler months ahead.

For me going back to school was always such an exciting time. My favorite part was shopping for new school supplies and a new first-day outfit. It’s an opportunity to start fresh for the year and try out something new; going back to school represents endless new possibilities for the year ahead. This all starts with the outfit. Since I was young, I loved to plan what I would wear for the first day of school. The importance of “back to school fashion” is to show who you are for the coming year and to be able to express yourself in a creative way.

Now that I am in college, my “back to school” outfit has to be both cute and functional. I go to school in the south, so the first day is always hot! Even though I would love to wear a nice pair of jeans, it would be nearly impossible in the late August heat.

I am pairing my jean skirt from Free People with my tan lace up T-shirt from Topshop.

I added a gold choker with a silver pendant to the look, as a statement piece.

The shoes I choose to pair with this look are my short brown boots that are a staple in my wardrobe for the fall months. They are easy to pair with many outfits and can fluctuate,  being worn in a casual or more dressy setting.

The colors in this look are very subdued and neutral, in preparation for the upcoming tones of fall. I also have a navy blue backpack, which I will use to carry all my books and laptop to each class.

This look is one of my favorites to begin the transition from summer to fall fashion, as it is easy to add layers to and uses neutral colors that remind many of autumn.

Step out of your comfort zone, this coming school year. If I could give one piece of advice to incoming freshman, it would be to use this fresh start as a way to cultivate your sense of self.

What are you planning on wearing as a “back to school” look? Let us know in the comments below!

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