Fall Style Goes Back to School

By Kendra Gilbert on August 17th, 2009

Even if you’re well beyond your teens, this Fall it’s cool to look like you’re going back to school. And, for most of us, back to school shopping is all about the bargains.

Designers must have been taking detailed notes in Gossip Girl 101, because Fall collections from Burberry Prorsum, Marc by Marc Jacobs, DKNY and United Bamboo all showed prep-school inspired clothes…that come with Upper East Side price tags.

Luckily, retailers like Gap and H&M have come out with more affordable incarnations of this trend. The first thing you’ll need this Fall is a blazer. The menswear-inspired blazer is one of the hottest trends. Stores like Gap, Urban Outfitters and TopShop carry a huge selection. My opinion: pair on over-sized blazer with cuffed sleeves with a flirty dress for a nice mix of masculine and feminine.

Other key pieces you will need are patterned button-up shirts, skirts and jumpers, cardigans and jeans. I like this gingham shirt from Gap as a center-piece for a fashionable Fall outfit. Complete the look with a great pair of shoes. If you’re going with a skirt, perhaps choose a boot. And if you’re rocking jeans, pick a great tailored heel, like these from Anthropologie (although they are a bit of a splurge).

Honestly, once you’ve got the blazer, the rest should fall into place. You can go for a funkier, layered co-ed look a la DSquared² or keep it classic and very elite private school like Tory Burch.

The look is all about layering and can be sophisticated or casual. Leather messenger bags, tights, knit caps, and thick leather belts are perfect accessories for this look.

But, don’t take it too seriously or make it slutty. No plaid mini skirts, please!