What to Wear: First Day of School

What to wear on the first day of school

No matter if you’ve been dreading it or looking forward to it, that first day back at school can sneak up on you. After all, it’s been the summer, and you’ve either been involved in activities, or been surgically attached to the couch, and suddenly, it’s back to the grind, with a schedule, and way-too-early mornings.

And everything’s starting over. Some say that first day back is “the most important day of the year”, and you want to show up with just the right look that fits your interests, your friends, and what’s gotten hot since last year.

Of course, after the heat of summer, there’s also a hint of fall in the air, and so you’re not only going to be thinking style, but also comfort. What’s the best sequence to start layering? What simple accessories can you add on to punch up the ensemble?

One great tip for getting ready for the new school year is to do a total inventory of your clothing … yep, pull it all out of the closets and drawers, and check it out. Was that top on its “last legs” last year? Is that t-shirt boasting a band you haven’t listened to all summer? Do those jeans still fit? You’re growing, your tastes are changing, and styles are running on ahead … taking a look at what you have on hand is a great place to start planning the “new you” for the new school year.

Once you’ve figured out what you have that’s going to work for you, plan out your first week’s worth of outfits … not only will this give you a coordinated “look” for those first few days, but having those items on a hanger at the ready will make those “I can’t believe I’m awake at this hour!” mornings a bit easier to handle.

Have you put together a budget for new additions to your wardrobe? Maybe you should hold off on making those buys until you see what’s new this year … you don’t want to blow everything on items that are literally “so last year”, but you do want to make sure your basics still fit.

And, of course, school is school. You probably are having to comply with a dress code that you were unhindered by all summer, and you’ve probably been used to wearing foot gear that might not be the best choice around the classroom (let alone trudging through early snows). Make sure that first week makes sense for your wardrobe, your budget, your clique, and your specific school … and then be ready to add new twists to your outfits as you settle in to your new year.