We recently did a fun post on Instagram with our early 2000s purse must-haves. Although some of our team members were in diapers back then (!), most of us were walking our high school hallways and college campuses, toting our laptops and textbooks from class to class as we blasted The Fray in our iPods and stashed Lip Smackers in every pocket.
There’s something about the back-to-school buzz that still gets us: fresh notebooks, a reset routine, and of course, the chance to put together a new look. So, in the spirit of sharpened pencils and clean slates, here’s what we would wear and toss in our bags if we were heading back to campus this month.
What We Wear
Who doesn’t love the nostalgia of back-to-school shopping? Here’s what is filling our carts this month:
- Ritchie Short Sleeve Sweatshirt and Ollie High Rise Shorts from Varley: The perfect set to help you feel put-together without too much effort. Plus, you can grab the coordinating Hawley Sweatshirt for when the temperatures start to drop.
- Hunter Bell Fall Floral Cream Drifter Mini Dress: You can never have too many throw-on-and-go dresses.
- Tuckernuck X Studio McGee Mocha Cotton Gingham Finn Dress: Don’t miss the chance to grab this cutie before it sells out again!
- Hyacinth House Louisa Midi Dress: A classic midi shirtdress checks every box for polished but still comfortable.
- Mother The Hustler Jeans: Trust us — you won’t find a more flattering and comfortable pair of jeans, no matter how hard you try.
- AYR The Deep End: We own this button-down shirt in every color, and it’s still not enough. With the ideal oversized fit, it’s the thing to grab when you don’t know what to wear. Roll up your sleeves and pair with cut-off shorts until the weather cools off.
- J. Crew Alexandra Blazer: Need a touch of professionalism? Throw on this blazer for a refined vibe.
- J. Crew Cashmere Relaxed T-shirt: Perfect for dressing up your favorite jeans or layering underneath your favorite jacket.
- Vibi Venezia Delfina Mary Janes: We love this pop of blue for an unexpected accessory. They pair perfectly with the Drifter Mini Dress!
- Tuckernuck White Woven Buckle Nina Flats: Finally — a pair of shoes that look good with everything.
- Vibi Venezia Amerigo Brigitte Flats: This pair of chocolate velvet flats has us dreaming of fall.
What We Toss in Our Bags
Longchamp Tote Bag
Everyone on our team has carried this bag at one point in time. The Longchamp Le Pliage Original Tote Bag works for all stages of life, and it’s been our go-to bag since we filled it with books and schlepped across campus. Now, we carry it to our favorite coffee shop for a morning filled with iced coffee and content creation.
Cuyana System Laptop Sleeve
This laptop sleeve is the perfect balance of form and function. Designed with sleek sophistication, it’s stylish enough to carry solo for meetings but protective enough to slip into your favorite tote without a second thought. For a personal touch, add your monogram (we can never say no to a monogram). It’s thoughtfully crafted to complement your day, wherever it takes you.
LoveHandle Phone Grip
We’ve always struggled to find a phone case that does it all — until now. Meet the LoveHandle PRO for MagSafe – Suction. With built-in magnets and suction cups, it mounts effortlessly to mirrors, windows, or metal surfaces for hands-free convenience. The two-way kickstand props your phone up in portrait or landscape, while the swappable strap adds a fun, personal touch. The best part? It attaches to any case using a magsafe ring. It’s the stylish sidekick your phone’s been waiting for.
Navy Linen Journal
Simplified is one of our go-to brands when it comes to pretty planners, notebooks, calendars, and desk accessories. This beautiful journal immediately caught our eye. It’s easy to pop in our bag so you’re always ready to jot down notes from a client meeting or brainstorm big ideas for your next social media campaign.
Don’t forget to keep a favorite pen handy too! Our team can’t stop raving about this colorful set.
Everyday Essentials
Rounding out our tote bags are our everyday essentials — things like:
- Our favorite leather travel cases to keep us organized
- The most hydrating lip balm with just a hint of color
- Supergoop! Glow Stick for on-the-go sun protection
- Hand sanitizer, of course
- A new pair of fall sunnies? Yes, please!
- Or this option at a lower price point
- The best hair clip
For our full list of back-to-school must-haves, click here.
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