What Nicole Wore

style + beauty blog in the dc metro area

You are here: Home / Style / Back to School to Prove I’m Not a Fool: Must Haves & First Day Outfit

Back to School to Prove I’m Not a Fool: Must Haves & First Day Outfit

Guys it feels like I barely blinked and summer’s already over! Luckily, I’ll be able to enjoy warm weather for a bit longer but all of my teacher friends are getting ready to head back to their classrooms and lately the roads have been full of school buses. It felt fitting to share a first day outfit as well as ten pieces that you can wear now and later.

10 early fall staples you can wear now and later! Click To Tweet

{This post may contain affiliate or referral links. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link in this post. Thank you for your support of What Nicole Wore.}

Street style blogger, What Nicole Wore, wears the LORAC Unzipped Palette with NARS blush, Colorescience Highlight, and ColourPop Ultra Matte Lipstick. // lorac unzipped look, colourpop tulle swatch, fall lipstick matte, fall lipstick for dark skin, best fall lipstick
featured | white lace blouse {under $20} + denim skirt {similar} + over the knee boots + tassel earrings + tortoise shell necklace + striped faux leather tote + eyeshadow {I’ve been wearing this palette A TON lately} + brows + eyeliner + highlight + blush + matte lipstick + nail polish

Featured | First Day Outfit:

Affordable style blogger, What Nicole Wore, shares a striped faux leather tote from Nordstrom that's a budget friendly buy. // nordstrom accessories, faux leather tote bag, fall tote for college, 2017 fall bag, work outfits

Fashion blogger, What Nicole Wore, pairs a white lace top with a dark jean skirt for fall. // african american fashion blogger, asian fashion blogger, black stila stay all day eyeliner, baublebar tassel earrings

First Day Outfit | 10 Back to School Staples.

This is such a huge time to shop and can be crazy overwhelming as well. For me, I try to grab pieces that I’ll be able to wear not just during back to school season. Above you’ll see the pieces I wore nonstop in the summer to fall months last year. These closet workhorses are easy to mix and match and the non-clothing items are a few of my holy grails during back to school season.

These closet workhorses are the best kind: easy to mix and match. Click To Tweet
  1. Striped blouse | While it’s not a secret that I love stripes, there’s a reason behind it too. A striped blouse can be worn casually with jeans or tucked into a skirt, which brings us right into #2 on this list.
  2. Sidewalk skirt | With the elastic waist and pockets, this skirt will be your closet BFF whether your shaped like a stick or pear shaped like me. I have these skirts in the cotton for summer and the wool. My solids are both wool and can be worn now and later with tights. {Pro tip: while these are frequently on promo at J. Crew Factory, you can also usually find them secondhand through ThredUp!}
  3. Rain flats | Game. Changer. I have these in navy with green dots and have worn them a ton this summer since it rains so much in Louisville. These are easy to pack in a tote or backpack and keep your feet dry. Obviously, if you have a TON of rain, you’ll still want your rain boots but this is a nice in between.
  4. Ankle boots | The cut outs on these are EVERYTHING. Ankle boots can be worn with skirts, shorts, cuffed jeans, dresses, the list goes on. At $34, this pair is a complete steal and something you’ll be able to get a ton of wear out of.
  5. Pendant necklace | While I’ve stopped being quite so accessory crazed, I can’t deny the power of the pendant. While this one comes in a few different stones, I like the gold a lot for its versatility.
  6. Water bottle | Staying hydrated is important for a number of reasons so I always try to throw my water bottle in my bag. For me, I notice a huge difference in my skin and how I physically feel when I make a point to regularly drink water. This time of year, I’ll switch between sparkling water with lemon and drinking out of my S’well since it keeps water cold for up to two days. While it’s definitely on the pricier side for a water bottle, I can leave ice water in my hot car and it will still be icy hours later.
  7. Nail polish | Let’s talk about nudes – the good kind! While it’s rare to catch me in a muted lipstick, I do like to break out a nice neutral nail color. This shade ‘I’ll Have a Gin and Tectonic’ from the latest OPI collection is soft, professional looking and great year round.
  8. Lightweight twill jacket | This one’s coated to protect you from rain and has a hood that can be detached. The olive green transitions perfectly into fall and this will look SO good over the striped blouse!
  9. Elevated tee shirt dress | The spiral twist on the front of this makes it more than just your standard shirt dress to throw on over leggings. Wear it with ankle boots and a short necklace now and under a cargo jacket later.
  10. The planner | I have to physically write things down and see them which is why I still stick with the traditional paper agenda. Kate Spade’s aren’t lined {boo} but do feature plenty of space to write as well as a two page monthly view.

Casual style blogger, What Nicole Wore, wears a white blouse for fall with a striped leather tote. // black style blogger, casual striped nordstrom purse, anastasia beverly hills brow powder duo, eyebrow makeup, colourpop tulle swatch

African American style blogger, What Nicole Wore, wears ColourPop Tulle with her first day outfit. // fall outfit for college, colourpop tulle dark skin, fall lipstick, taupe over the knee boots

Affordable fashion blogger, What Nicole Wore, styles a white blouse with a denim skirt for a first day outfit. // denim skirt outfit, fall outfit with boots, beaded tassel earrings outfit

Style blogger, What Nicole Wore, carries a striped BP tote from Nordstrom for a first day outfit. // striped tote bag, fall outfit for college, nordstrom sale outfits, baublebar tassel earrings, affordable fashion blogger

First Day Outfit | What’s the Skinny?

I can never get enough white blouses – dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down, they’re great regardless. I’ve worn this one with jeans but opted for a dark rinse denim skirt for a casual but cool first day outfit. While the cutout details seem risqué, the ruffled layer balances things out. {Although admittedly, this top would have to be under a cardigan at the high school I went to!}

I can never get enough of white blouses! Dress this one up or down. Click To Tweet

First Day Outfit | Devil’s in the Details.

My striped faux leather and suede tote acts as the statement piece of this outfit. The mustard yellow, cobalt and red stripes immediately caught my eye during the Nordstrom Sale and I’m so glad I snagged the bag. While it also comes in a neutral version with brown, black and white stripes, I thought this would be a fun way to work some fall color into my wardrobe.

Finally, I have to give this eye shadow palette some love. While I love my Urban Decay palettes, I’ve found myself reaching for this LORAC one lately; the shades blend so easily and it’s easy for me to create an everyday or special occasion look.

SHOP THE POST | FIRST DAY OUTFIT

Comments

  11. Melissa says

    I’m obsessed with that tote! It’s a really great price right now too. I also like the skirt you picked too. Looks great for teaching (I teach K!). Also, the Billy Madison reference made me laugh.

  13. Stephanie says

    I may not be in school anymore, but this list sure brings me back to BTS shopping in high school ahaha! You nailed it – I would’ve loved having you around during my school years! These tips are great!

  14. Yulissa says

    I’ve been wanting that top for so long, and I was scared to get it! It looks cute on you so i might get it.

  16. Kristina says

    That top is so stinking cute on you! I always love the ‘back to school’ time!

    xo, Kristina

  25. Ada says

    Love this outfit so much. So many great Fall pieces. The blouse, tote and skirt are so fun cute and versatile AND I love your Fall picks. A good water bottle and a good planer are always a must.

    Welcome by Thursday and linkup with me dear Nicole! Thanks, Ada. =)

  28. Shea says

    I love this whole look! That top is so fun, and I love how the bright stripes of that bag really pop. This is the perfect way to show a little bit of fall but make it work for still-warm weather.
    Stopping by from the Confident Twosday linkup 🙂