8 Iconic Back-to-School Looks That'll Give You Major Outfit Inspiration
Preparing to go back to school can be really stressful. You're thinking about navigating unfamiliar hallways, finding all of your long-lost friends, and avoiding embarrassing yourself in inevitably awkward getting-to-know-you ice breakers. The last thing you need to worry about is what you're going to wear. So, in an effort to both relax and stock up on some serious style inspiration, we're looking to our favorite movies and TV shows. Want to join us?
Grab your friends and host a back-to-school marathon (while you still can—homework is going to be your reality very, very soon), and brush up on some of the most iconic back-to-school style looks ever. Click through for a primer, and don't forget to tell us which character you'll be channeling on your first day—will it be Cher, Sabrina, Joey, or Felicity?
1/9Our thanks to Cher, Sabrina, Blair, Felicity, and all the rest.
Photo: Courtesy of ABC Family2/9<em>Pretty Little Liars</em>
The thing about the "little liars" is that they're all incredibly stylish but in their own totally unique way, making the show a major goldmine for style inspo. Despite the fact that they're all best friends, no two girls would ever wear the same thing (and yet we'd wear every last thing they own, from Aria's flirty floral dresses to Hanna's bad-girl flannels).
Photo: Getty Images3/9<em>Felicity</em>
There were two real stars of Felicity: Keri Russell and whoever the fashion fairy godmother behind the leading lady’s wardrobe was. From the faded denim to the perfectly tailored blazers to the classic Chucks, it was all very I’m-going-to-college-in-the-big-city-please-take-me-seriously. Whether you are, in fact, going to college in the big city or just embarking on another year of high school, Felicity’s wardrobe was timeless to a T (and so is that hair—fellow curly girls can’t miss this brilliant advice).
Photo: Getty Images4/9<em>Gossip Girl</em>
There were endless reasons to watch Gossip Girl (twisting plots, cleverly written dialogue, Chuck Bass), but it was the fashion that made it the kind of show worthy of canceling plans in order to watch in real time. Blair and Serena couldn't have dressed more differently—one prim, proper, and exceptionally uptown, the latter equal parts sophisticated and seductive—both were impossibly stylish.
Photo: Alamy5/9<em>Dawson's Creek </em>
Joey always looked like she stepped right out of a circa-2000 American Eagle Outfitters catalouge—maybe because the mall retailer actually did outfit the cast frequently. At the time, it wasn't super inspiring, but in retrospect, she totally nails normcore Americana. Jen, on the other hand, looked more like an Express kind of gal. Her clothes may have been a little too short or a little too tight, but her '90s platform game was on-point.
Photo: Alamy6/9<em>Heathers </em>
Years before Cher and Dion roamed the runways in plaid, Heather (and Heather and Heather and Veronica) did the same. The big blazers and bigger hair may not be totally relevant today, but the pleated minis and crop tops are 100-percent on trend.
Photo: Alamy7/9<em>My So-Called Life </em>
Angela Chase was a bit of a wallflower, and she was never particularly interested in clothes, but because of her willingness to layer floral dresses over baby tees (and because of the utter awesomeness of MTV's costume designers), she achieved style icon status that's stood up to the test of time.
Photo: Alamy8/9<em>Grease </em>
As much as we all love Sandy's bad girl makeover, it's her early schoolgirl style that feels particularly perfect for class. Peter Pan collars, pastel cardigans, and tea-length skirts couldn't be cooler this season. Just maybe don't wear 'em all at once, OK?
Photo: Alamy9/9<em>Clueless </em>
All hail Cher. There's a moment in Clueless when everyone's favorite valley girl and her partner-in-crime (sartorial and otherwise!), Dion, are walking down the hallway in pleated plaid mini skirts and matching blazers, and it is nothing short of iconic. But we have to admit, these three outfits are just as memorable. Nothing captures back-to-school style better than knee-high socks, layered oords, fuzzy knits, and button-up minis.
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