Clothing aesthetics to spice up your back-to-school wardrobe

With the month of September finally here and the start of the school year on its way, you may be finding yourself feeling a little overwhelmed by your long and, let’s be honest, probably overcomplicated back-to-school to-do list.

Whether you’re getting ready to start another year of socially awkward high school or preparing to take on your first college/university semester, nothing is more nerve-racking than planning how you can take on the new school year with a bang.

If you’re anything like me, your ridiculously full to-do list probably includes must-have school supplies, snack ideas for lunches, and a bunch of hard-to-read scribbles you have a hard time deciphering. But out of the entire list, your biggest anxiety-inducing bullet point is most likely a reminder to spice up your back-to-school wardrobe.

Let’s face it, nothing is more stressful than finding outfit inspirations that perfectly fit your style and help you stand out in the crowded school hallways, but only the good way.

With all that said, here are a few trendy clothing aesthetics that will hopefully help you cross off that problematic and menacing wardrobe bullet point on your back-to-school to-do list.

1. Baggy Clothing Aesthetic 

We all know that getting up early in the morning is difficult, even if you like to consider yourself a morning person, and nothing sucks more than having to leave your comfy and cozy bed for a typically chilly commute. If you’re someone who wants to look fashionable in the classroom, all while feeling as snug as you do in your bed, then the baggy clothing aesthetic is for you.

You may recognize this style if you’re familiar with singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. The baggy clothing aesthetic takes inspiration from her iconic grunge style of baggy T-shirts and oversized shorts but also leaves room for creativity and personalization that doesn’t always have to focus on the more edgy aspects of the aesthetic.

Try wearing your favorite pair of loose sweats with a graphic T-shirt of your choice or sporting a warm baggy crew neck with some baggy shorts. This clothing aesthetic makes it easy to feel comfortable without looking overly sloppy and is perfect for those chilly early morning commutes.

2. Streetwear Aesthetic Clothing

Hoping to wear something a little more stylish but still want to keep things casual? The streetwear clothing aesthetic can help you find the right balance between fashion and laid-back and is a practical choice for your busy school days.

Streetwear aesthetic outfits make it easy for you to show off your creative and outgoing personality without making you stand out like a sore thumb in the classroom. To achieve this unique style, slip on a pair of loose-fitting jeans, either with holes or not (whatever you’d prefer), then add your favorite T-shirt or hoodie on top. When appropriate, try adding a bucket hat or a baseball cap. Make sure you pop on a nice pair of comfortable, clean sneakers and a stylish loose jacket to really complete the streetwear look. The streetwear clothing aesthetic is about showcasing uniqueness, style, and comfort, all while keeping things practical.

3. Minimalist Aesthetic

Want something more simple yet classy to spice up your back-to-school wardrobe? Then you should definitely try taking inspiration from the minimalist clothing aesthetic.

This clothing aesthetic is all about looking high-class and elegant but allows you to do so without breaking the bank on expensive outfit add-ons. What makes this style truly worth exploring is that it can be mastered with only a few articles of clothing. For this look, make sure to focus on lighter colors and tighter-fitting clothes in order to achieve that chic and effortless finish. Try pairing black skinny jeans with a beige turtleneck, then add a black dress coat on top for class. For shoes, try sporting some black booties or clean, light-colored sneakers to really tie everything together. If you are hoping to dress to impress this school year, the minimalist clothing aesthetic is the style for you.

4. Vintage Aesthetic

Like the idea of looking classy but want to add a creative touch to your back-to-school outfits? Then look no further; the vintage clothing aesthetic is a perfect option for anyone who loves hitting the thrift store for some nostalgic and artistic finds.

If you’re someone who considers your style to be a little all over the place, then choosing the vintage clothing aesthetic as your new wardrobe inspiration may be your best decision yet. Being able to go from comfy casual to fancy fashion may be the best part of these fun and inventive looks. To master the vintage clothing aesthetic, dive into your mom or dad’s closet (or the thrift store) and find some of your favorite old T-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies, and sweaters (granny wool sweaters are the best). Then try pairing these nostalgic pieces with a pair of loose-fitting mom jeans. You can also grab a patterned old dress skirt or a cute tennis skirt to really capture that vintage aesthetic.

5. Indie Aesthetic

Loving the thrifting aspect of the vintage clothing aesthetic, but want to be more of a classroom stand out this year? Then the indie clothing aesthetic is surely the choice for you.

This style still requires a few stops at the thrift store (or your parent’s closet), but this time you want to pick out pieces that give off a pop of color; in this case, the brighter, the better. Just like the vintage aesthetic, slip on some cute knit sweaters, old crewneck, or nostalgic graphic T-shirts and match them with some comfortable, loose-fitting jeans. Remember, don’t be scared of a pop of color. This clothing aesthetic is all about showcasing your artsy and creative personality. To wrap up your Indie look, pop on some colorful sneakers or add some bright accessories, and finish it off with a gorgeous smile.

I hope this article gave you a few style ideas to kick start the new school year off with a bang and hopefully helped you cross off that stressful bullet point on your back-to-school to-do list.

If you tried any of these clothing aesthetics, I would love to hear about your experiences, or if you have any other suggestions of outfit inspirations you’d like to share, make sure to write them down in the comments. Happy September, and cheers to a new school year!