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back to school outfit ideas
Design by Yoora Kim

41 Back To School Outfits That'll Get You Hype for Your First Day

BRB copying these outfits rn.

By Kelsey Stiegman and Hannah Oh

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

street style paris fashion week womenswear fall winter 2023 2024 day seven
Edward Berthelot//Getty Images

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.

Kihatwin Black White Polka Dot Silk Dress Tie

Black White Polka Dot Silk Dress Tie

Kihatwin Black White Polka Dot Silk Dress Tie

$13 at Amazon

Mixed Prints & Patterns

street style paris fashion week menswear springsummer 2023 day one
Edward Berthelot//Getty Images

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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ASOS DESIGN Satin Shirt With 70s Collar in Blue

Satin Shirt With 70s Collar in Blue

ASOS DESIGN Satin Shirt With 70s Collar in Blue

All-White Before Labor Day

street style paris fashion week haute couture fall winter 2022 2023 day three
Edward Berthelot//Getty Images

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.

Abercrombie Satin Maxi Skirt

Satin Maxi Skirt

Abercrombie Satin Maxi Skirt

Now 29% Off
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Coconut Girl Vibes

uniqlo celebrates springsummer collaboration with marni in nyc
Bryan Bedder//Getty Images

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.

Cider Landscape Painting Ruched Skirt

Landscape Painting Ruched Skirt

Cider Landscape Painting Ruched Skirt

Now 72% Off

Preppy Knit Sweaters

celebrity sightings in new york city december 23, 2020
James Devaney//Getty Images

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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Reformation Newsprint High Rise Straight Long Jeans

Newsprint High Rise Straight Long Jeans

Reformation Newsprint High Rise Straight Long Jeans

Now 25% Off

Fresh Kicks

street style day seven paris fashion week womenswear spring summer 2022
Melodie Jeng//Getty Images

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.

Nike WMNS AIR JORDAN 1 LOW‌

WMNS AIR JORDAN 1 LOW‌

Nike WMNS AIR JORDAN 1 LOW‌

Now 16% Off
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Vacation Shirts, Repurposed

celebrity sightings in new york city july 18, 2019
James Devaney//Getty Images

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.

L.L. Bean Organic Classic Cotton Shirt, Stripe, Short-Sleeve

Organic Classic Cotton Shirt, Stripe, Short-Sleeve

L.L. Bean Organic Classic Cotton Shirt, Stripe, Short-Sleeve

Now 38% Off

Faux Leather

celebrity sightings in new york city may 13, 2021
Robert Kamau//Getty Images

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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BHMAWSRT Faux Leather Blazer

Faux Leather Blazer

BHMAWSRT Faux Leather Blazer

Cropped Button-Downs

street style paris fashion week menswear spring summer 2023 day four
Edward Berthelot//Getty Images

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.

OMSJ Long Sleeve Button-Down Shirt

Long Sleeve Button-Down Shirt

OMSJ Long Sleeve Button-Down Shirt

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Playing With Bold Colors

street style paris fashion week menswear spring summer 2023  day four
Edward Berthelot//Getty Images

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.

Allegra K Sequined Shining Camisole

Sequined Shining Camisole

Allegra K Sequined Shining Camisole

Headshot of Kelsey Stiegman
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.

Headshot of 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. 

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