Preppy Back to School Outfit: Summer to Fall Transition

I’d like to start off this post by clarifying that I myself am not going back to school. However, when I put together this preppy look it really reminded me of a back to school outfit I would have worn and has a very collegiate vibe to it. I don’t usually dress this preppy, but I had fun mixing different prints and playing with layering, which is so key for the Summer to Fall transition period. I love a white denim jacket for the transitional weather as it’s still summery but has enough weight to wear into Fall. The one I’m wearing is from Old Navy and so affordable, especially for a jacket. I paired it with a heart and stripes button-up shirt also from Old Navy, and hence the preppy vibe took hold. One of my favorite layering tricks is to roll up the sleeves of the jacket to allow whatever you’re wearing underneath to peek out. The effect of a white jacket against a sharp print is so chic.

In true preppy fashion, I mixed prints and paired the shirt with cat print maroon pants from Modcloth. I’m not usually a pants girl but gravitated towards this fun print and color, which is perfect for Fall. These pants also come with a matching cat print blazer if you want to take it to the next level. The pants have a librarian chic vibe that makes them so fitting for a back to school outfit. For my shoes, I love wedges for the Summer to Fall transition period, so I went with the comfiest pair of denim wedges from Superdry. I added yet another print to the mix with an eclectic floral handbag to complete the look.

If you might have noticed, I have my hair up for once in this outfit! I’m digging the chic ponytail I got from Glam & Go, which is a blowout and hair salon for busy women that promises services in 25 to 45 minutes. I was pretty impressed with the speediness and the result. It was one of the hottest days when I shot this Fall look, so a ponytail was the perfect hairdo and allowed me to show off my colorful earrings. I think I may try updos more often from now on!

Shop the Look:

What I’m Wearing:
Jacket: Old Navy
Shirt: Old Navy
Pants: ModCloth
Shoes: Supderdry (similar here)
Bag: ModCloth (sold out, similar here)
Earrings: Charming Charlie 
Sunglasses: Gentle Monster 

Thanks for reading,
Mary

*This post is in collaboration with Old Navy and Modcloth. As always, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Photography: Tiffany Chen