Some say minimal effort — as in zero time taken for styling — and maximum comfort are all that matters when it comes to back-to-school outfits. We disagree. One can be both bookish and stylish all semester long, even after the realities of your course load set in. The trick, as with all things academic-related, is to plan ahead. Establish something of a uniform.
For Fall 2017, designers were very much taken with the idea of uniform dressing. And by uniform, we mean prep-school plaid. Across the runways of New York, Paris, London and Milan, plaid — tartan, Tattersall, Madras, glen, you name it — adorned every type of clothing, bringing with it the scholarly vibes. Honestly, Dilone and Hanne Gaby Odiele would’ve looked just as natural swigging coffee en route to their morning seminar as they did strutting the catwalks of Self-Portrait and Alexander Wang, respectively.
Why not build your back-to-school lewk around the same pattern that dominated the recent runways? After all, plaid is to fall what floral is to spring (synonymous, always in vogue). It’s conservative yet subversive. It’s vibrant. It’s nostalgic. It’s inescapable.
Need further convincing? Click through the slideshow above for 29 brilliant (plaid-infused) back-to-school outfit ideas care of the Fall 2017 runways. Even those who’ve already declared and mastered their major will want to take a look at these.
[ Next: Ace Back-to-College Style With These Ready-for-Everything First Semester Outfit Ideas ]
Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid)
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #1
Style an easy, balloon-sleeve, earth-toned A-line minidress with striking yellow tights and sweet T-strap heels.
No. 6 Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #2
Same color palette, but this time put the silky marigold piece up top and the thick, coffee-hued plaid on the bottom. Opt for wide-leg trousers and a Peter Pan collar blouse with a pretty microfloral print. Polish things off with mossy square-toe loafers.
No. 6 Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #3
Take the starch out of a prof-worthy bold-shouldered blazer: pair it with a denim button-down, leggings and grommet-accented ankle boots.
Alexander Wang Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #4
We love a good statement fly. For a chic yet punky look, pair plaid skinnies with a fringed jacket (because Westernwear) and combat boots.
Alexander Wang Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #5
The best back-to-school outfits are the ones you can shrug on minutes before leaving the house (and if necessary) surreptitiously nap in during class. This floral blouse/midi-length skirt combo, made less precious by a leather-accented jacket and shearling-lined moon boots, will do just the trick. Skip the hat and grab a more capacious bag.
Coach 1941 Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #6
Take note: (Knee-high) combat boots are a must-have for fall. Also, the new thing is to wear your chokers over your turtlenecks. Other than that, this back-to-school perfect look is pretty self-explanatory.
Hermes Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #7
Team pale pink tartan trousers with a neutral top (with a fun accent like a center seam), a tough-as-nails motorcycle jacket and platform brogues. Don't forget your satchel.
Hermes Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #8
Dress up your fleece Patagonia. Style it with a front-zip pencil skirt, ribbed tights, combat boots and a coordinating heathered mock neck.
Hermes Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #9
Show you mean business in a well-tailored suit, but skip the shirt and slip on some ankle-wrap ballet flats so you look fashun rather than stodgy.
Jason Wu Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #10
Make sure every teacher, adviser and fellow student you meet has you forever etched in their brain. Layer semi-sheer, graphic separates over a statement turtleneck; ground the look with front-zip calf-length boots.
Kenzo Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #11
Pair a non-cliché skirt suit (sleeves that end above the biceps, rounded shoulders, a daring front slit) with statement-making accessories (an ultra thick waist belt, a sweater worn as a scarf). Preppy, but fashion-forward.
Michael Kors Collection Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #12
Throw on your favorite loose black trousers and horse-accented sweater, add edge with a cropped equestrian plaid...jacket? Yup, Stella McCartney's calling it a jacket.
Stella McCartney Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #13
Remember what we said about sleepwear that doubles as back-to-school wear? Rock a bright, expertly tied hoodie with a neutral plaid midi and matching (outsize) coat. Finish things off with box-fresh sneakers and a bag that doubles as a pillow. (J.W.Anderson's Uniqlo collab has some promising contenders.)
Off-White Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #14
Take a page out of Public School's handbook — rock a colorblocked front-zip minidress with a bold plaid jacket; align your hemlines. Your political science professor will likely appreciate your hat, if not your slipper shoes.
Public School Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #15
When it comes to back-to-school dressing, supersized sweaters are your greatest ally. Pair an artfully deconstructed beige sweater with a white turtleneck (or starched white shirt worn backward — who can tell?) and cuffed plaid trousers. For a sweet, unexpected touch, reach for combat boots with flower-embellished soles.
R13 Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #16
The grunge-chic vibes continue. Make your silky floral-print slip dresses a bit more proper with that same reversed popped-collar button-down. Polish off the look with a menswear-inspired trench and fur-accented Dr. Martens. Don't forget to pull those socks high.
R13 Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #17
No back-to-school outfits lineup would be complete without at least one riff on the schoolgirl skirt. Like R13's Chris Leba, we appreciate surprising pleat placement. Pair yours with a crisp button-down (how you choose to place it on your body is up to you), then minimize the prep school vibes with a utility jacket and chunky shoes.
R13 Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #18
OK, last backward shirt, we promise. We just had to point out that a pale blue button-down pairs remarkably well with coffee-colored tartan trousers and patent ankle boots of any persuasion.
R13 Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #19
Really, all you need is a floaty plaid maxi dress (cinched at the waist) and sturdy front-zip boots. Oh, and a fuzzy shoulder strap for your laptop bag.
Sacai Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #20
You don't have to give up summer's ruffle-accented wrap dresses. Just find one in suiting-inspired plaid. Accessorize with a black collar, black tights and ballerina-style heels.
Self-Portrait Fall 2017; Image: Umberto Fratini
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #21
Nor must you give up your off-the-shoulder shirts. Find one done in cozy cashmere, tuck it into paper-bag-waist plaid pants. For added texture/color play, opt for shiny wine-red heels.
Self-Portrait Fall 2017; Image: Umberto Fratini
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #22
Your ultimate back-to-school outfit? A floor-sweeping plaid coat, a wide-collar front-zip shirt and suede hot pants made lecture hall-appropriate by black tights.
Self-Portrait Fall 2017; Image: Umberto Fratini
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #23
A well-tailored (plaid) suit takes the guesswork out of getting dressed — something we can all appreciate when we're hightailing it to class. Extra roomy shoulders and bright satin boots add necessary touches of cool.
Tibi Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #24
Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin of Tome, champions of runway diversity and fearless dressing, advise you to mix plaid with patent, velvet and more plaid. Choose pieces that are structured, but not too tight.
Tome Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #25
Name a more iconic duo...we'll wait. Regardless of Fair Isle and plaid's warm holiday connotations, save this look for when there's truly a bite in the air — you don't want your classmates to associate you with unseasonable chills.
Tory Burch Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #26
Head-to-toe plaid? Yes, it can be done. Break up the daring look with a monochrome jacket, casual sneakers and black turtleneck. For extra fun, tie your hair in a bow.
Tory Burch Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #27
Modernize your prep school uniform with chain-accented, square-toe suede boots and a metallic satchel.
Tory Burch Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #28
A flawlessly knotted, bubble-sleeve pussybow blouse will likewise bring your nostalgic (wide-leg) plaid trousers into the here and now. Pearl studs totally optional, matchy-matchy satchel very necessary.
Tory Burch Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Back-to-School Outfits (Plaid) #29
Pair a semi-sheer chiffon skirt and button-down with a structured, slightly oversized plaid blazer. Polish off the look with slouchy knee-high boots and, if you're feeling self-conscious, a silky cami.
Victoria Beckham Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
