These Trendy Back-to-School Outfits Will Help You Conquer the First Day

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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.

Black White Polka Dot Silk Dress Tie

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.

Satin Shirt With 70s Collar in Blue

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.

Satin Maxi Skirt

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.

Landscape Painting Ruched Skirt

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.

Newsprint High Rise Straight Long Jeans

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.

WMNS AIR JORDAN 1 LOW

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.

Organic Classic Cotton Shirt, Stripe, Short-Sleeve

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.

Faux Leather Blazer

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.

Long Sleeve Button-Down Shirt

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.

Sequined Shining Camisole

Big Pants, Small Shirt

This look utilizes your internship staple pants (ie. the perfect pair of slacks) and turns them trendy with a fun belt and gold jewelry.

SoftSuit Trousers in TENCEL™ Lyocell

Punk Rock Cutie

Red plaid is a timeless fall staple print that goes perfectly with braided pigtails and your comfiest pair of Dr. Marten boots.

Plaid Skirt High Waist

Cozy Layers

If you own mini dresses you wish you could wear as skirts, hack the process by layering shorter sweaters on top — and get ready for the "cute skirt!" compliments.

Argyle Crop Sweater

Preppy Cover-Ups

After a full Coastal Grandmother summer by the beach and the tennis courts, you can bring the preppy energy to school by draping a sweater over your shoulders like Gigi is doing here.

Fisherman Cable Long-Sleeve Crewneck Sweater

Yoga Pants, But Make It Fashion

Just because you're back in school IRL doesn't mean you have to leave the stretchy pants behind. Hailey paired her yoga flares with a fuzzy leather jacket and a mini purse.

Airbrush High-Waist 7/8 Flutter Legging in Espresso

Fashion Girl Tweed

If you really want to make a statement on the first day of school, go for a tweed dress in a trendy color like Barbiecore Pink. Choker necklaces will make it feel edgier in the best way.

Plaid Spaghetti Strap Dress

Casually Chic

Doesn't matter what you're wearing, a solid denim topper is going to add that perfectly chill vibe. An A+ choice for day one.

Crop Denim Jacket

Oversized Polo

Ransack your local thrift store (or your dad's closet) to nail this first day of school outfit. An oversized polo becomes the perfect dress, thanks to some trendy accessories.

The Organic Cotton Polo Dress

Slip Skirt and a Cardi

Go fully '90s with a buttoned-up cardigan and a silky slip skirt. High top sneakers make the grandma pair-up feel a little more modern.

Bliss Me Navy Blue Floral Print Midi Skirt

Hot-Girl Athleisure

That hot AF classroom is probably not the best environment for your favorite leggings. Keep the loungewear energy alive with a sporty shorts set and a handful of high-sparkle jewelry.

Firebird Track Jacket

Texture Contrast

A silky satin tube top combined with no-stretch mom jeans? Ya, it's a vibe that's both hot and super laid-back.

Benita Top

Chill '90s Vibes

Grunge-meets-normcore AKA Kendall Jenner's style specialty. Pair a vintage-inspired cardi with long-line jeans and skeans to copy for yourself – it's really that easy.

Gray Slit Dad Jeans

Updated Bermuda Shorts

Finally, stylish shorts that won't get you detention. Bermudas look good with any top and will also keep you covered (but, like, in a stylish way).

Bermuda Flow Short

Slip and Sneaks

Instagrammers love wearing slip dresses with retro naked sandals. Tone down the look for class with colorblocked sneakers.

Papaya Slip Dress

Puff-Sleeve Florals

Puff sleeves are here to stay! They've been trending for like 6 seasons straight and, yes, they'll be BIG for fall too. Pair the super-girly trend with punkier details, like platform combat boots and black sunnies.

Shairah Mini Dress

Layered Florals

If your school operates under the three-finger rule (*eye roll*), layer your favorite sundress over a tank top for a chic look that won't get you detention.

Summer Floral V Neck Tie Front Palm Leaf Dress

Bright Basics

At this point, plush cardigans, loose-fit jeans, and dad sneakers are staples in every wardrobe. You can even wear them all at once, layered over a bright tank for that extra pop of color.

Open Front Chunky Knit Cardigan

Tie-Dye and Denim

Dip into your collection of watercolor for day one, then slap on a matching statement eye. It's a first day ensemble that demands at LEAST 35 selfies.

Tie-Dye Bodysuit

Maxi and a Cropped Jacket

This styling trick comes to you straight from plus size model Iskra Lawrence and it can be used with literally any outfit. Throw on your cropped denim and fasten a single button to make any summer staple dress code appropriate.

Waiting So Long Dress in Pink Floral

Oversized Sweatshirt

Everyone loves this styling trick, from Ariana Grande to Chanel Iman. A massive hoodie and sneakers is the easiest outfit equation for the first day.

Champion Reverse Weave Crew Neck Sweatshirt

Sporty Bike Shorts

Bike shorts are basically the summer version of leggings. Wear them to class with the hoodie of your choice and your favorite sneakers – puppy optional.

lululemon Align High-Rise Short 6"

Girly Mini Dress

Give your best summer dress a punky edge with a pair of snakeskin boots.

Coltyn Bootie

Tracksuit

For some reason, a matching tracksuit just feels more put-together than regular sweatpants. A sleek top knot is the perfect back to school hairstyle to go along with it.

Classics Cut Line Track Jacket

Laid-Back Blazer

A white tee, jeans, and a plaid blazer – it's an always-chic ensemble that you can wear literally anywhere.

Lapel Open Front Button Grey Stripe Blazer

Denim on Denim on Denim

A denim dress, a denim shirt, a pair of good old-fashioned mom jeans – you will literally *always* look stylish decked head to toe in blues. Just add the internet's favorite shoe (Air Force 1s) to finish off the look.

Enriquetta Mini Dress

Posh Athleisure

A metallic leggings set makes the athleisure staples look more like real clothes (but waaaay more comfy).

Slaying It Legging in Gunmetal

Retro Tracksuit

You may not be able to wear this exact outfit to school thanks to dress code, but swap the crop for a regular tee and you're good to go.

Straight Leg Jeans in Two Tone White and Blue

Sleek Plaid

Prints can be building blocks, too! If you haven't invested in a pair of loose-fit plaid pants, you haven't experienced their wardrobe magic. They look just as good with a band tee as they do with pretty blouses, like this one.

Carley Wide-Leg Pants in Plaid

Leather and Graphics

Any combination of a graphic tee and leather (like, anything leather) is a forever outfit win.

Crinkle Faux Leather Wrap Skirt

Stacks and Stacks of Chains

With a simple black tee, your impressive necklace collection can shine. Pop on a red lip for a touch of casual glam.

The Dagger Cross Necklace

Hansel White Sneakers

Laid-Back Biker

Rep bike shorts and a matching hoodie for your first day – it's basically PJs for school.

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