— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
The summer months have slipped by, and somehow it’s already August, which means the first day of school is only a few weeks away. If you haven’t already, it’s definitely time to start thinking about back-to-school shopping. Along with school supplies like notebooks and backpacks, now is a great time to buy some new clothes for the upcoming school year.
So what are we wearing? Subscribe to Review’s weekly Style Check newsletter to get answers from stylish people.
There are a number of back-to-school fashion trends you’re sure to see all over the halls this fall, and many of them feature bold colors and loose silhouettes. These popular trends let you show off your personal style while staying comfortable through long hours in the classroom – perfect for the first day of school and throughout the semester.
Here are several of our favorite back-to-school trends you’ll see everywhere this year.
1. Wide Leg Pants
Skinny jeans have been the go-to style for several years now, but gone are the days of squeezing into skinny denim. Today, wide leg pants are rapidly gaining popularity for their casual yet cool look, and they are far less restrictive than their skinny counterparts. For these reasons, styles like the Eco Ripped Low Rise Baggy Jeans are going to be a high school staple this year. These jeans are easy to style and have a ripped knee slit and a raw hem for added elegance.
$60 at PacSun
Wide leg cargo pants are also about to be popular. The wide leg canvas cargo pants have a variety of pockets where you can store your phone, wallet and other supplies, and the partially elasticated waistband provides a comfortable fit.
$25 at Forever 21
On days when you just want to be comfortable in class, the Cozy Wide Leg Pants will be your go-to bottom. The pull-on style is made from a super-soft fabric and features a subtle ribbed texture.
$49 at Abercrombie&Fitch
2. Barbiecore
In response to the next Barbie movie, which stars Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, Hot Pink had a major moment. The so-called “Barbiecore” trend is all the rage right now, and all you need to do is dress in hot pink hues from head to toe. Start with a top like the Up For the Weekend Pink Cutout Bodysuit, then layer it with the Remikstyt Womens Chunky Cardigan for some serious pink-on-pink action.
$34 at Lulus $39 at Amazon
You can embrace your inner Barbie during PE with the hot pink MakeMeChic women’s track shorts, which have a drawstring waist for a secure fit, or the chic Johanna Rib Onesie in hot pink from athleisure brand Year of Ours.
$19 at Amazon $120 from Year of Ours
Or, simply add a touch of Barbie to any outfit with accessories like fashion tinted glasses. They may not offer any protection from the sun, but they will certainly attract attention as you walk down the halls of your school.
$4 at Shein
3. Matching Athleisure
If comfort is your top priority when getting dressed in the morning, you’ll be happy to know that matching athleisure sets are still hugely on-trend. Pair pieces like the Perfectly Oversized Cropped Crew and the Softstreme Relaxed High-Rise Pant for a coordinated outfit that’s so comfortable all day long.
$118 at lululemon $128 at lululemon
Some brands even sell two-piece outfits to make it easier to match your indoor outfits. The Fixmatti two-piece outfit for women includes a pullover top with a mock turtleneck and matching joggers with a slightly cropped drawstring to show off your shoes.
$40 at Amazon
4. Platform shoes
Let your classmates wonder if you’ve grown several inches over the summer. Platform shoes, which have extra chunky soles, are stylish this year, and we’re not just talking high heels either. There are plenty of cool platform sneakers you can wear to class, including the LUCKY STEP platform sneakers for women and the Adidas Originals Nizza platform sneakers for women.
$46 on Amazon $49 on Amazon
If your style is a little more daring, you can opt for a pair of platform boots. The Dr. Martens women’s Shriver boot is a classic choice: it’s made from genuine leather and has a 1.5-inch platform sole.
$135 on Amazon
5. Belt bags
You might have called them “bum bags”, but these hands-free accessories have recently given a fashionable new name. Enter, the fanny pack. Both practical and trendy, belt bags are having a total moment right now and are perfect for everyday use to carry all your essentials – chewing gum, keys, hand sanitizer, etc. There’s a wide variety of belt bags on the fashion scene right now, with tons of different shades, silhouettes, and materials to suit your tastes.
The Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is an option that has grown in popularity, coming in and out frequently online. It features multiple zippered and mesh pockets to help keep you organized on the go, plus an adjustable strap so you can carry it over your shoulder or around your waist.
$38 at Lululemon
Another cute and retro pick is the Abanu Multi from Kipling, a brand you’ll likely recognize by the signature monkey keychain that adorns its durable bags and accessories. This retro bag will keep you super cute back to school or on campus, and doesn’t skimp on functionality with its multiple zipped compartments, detachable shoulder strap and clip closure.
$79 at Kipling
For something more affordable, this $22 Zorfin belt bag has racked up over 6,000 positive reviews from Amazon shoppers and is available in 21 colors, with bright neons, florals and more to make your outfit pop. .
$22 at Amazon
6. Oversized Sweaters
Continuing the comfy wear theme, oversized sweaters will be a fall 2022 staple. You can keep it simple with an option like the Women’s Los Angeles Oversized Crewneck or show some personality with a sparkly top like the Sheep drop-sleeve sweater. These sweaters can be worn with jeans, leggings or even biker shorts. Size up for an extra large appearance.
$40 at Forever 21 $31 at Amazon
7. Tie dye
Tie-dye remains one of the hottest sports styles today. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can create your own multicolored clothes with a tie-dye kit, but there are also plenty of pre-made designs to choose from. The Just Relax Blue Multi Tie-Dye Shirt Dress can be worn as a top or a mini dress, and it has an eye-catching blue, pink, orange and white tie-dye print that is sure to earn you compliments.
$42 at Lulus
Once the weather starts to cool down, you’ll want to wear the Women’s Tie Dye Aleumdr Sweatshirt all the time. The tie-dye design comes in multiple color options and it’s made from soft polyester fabric.
$27 at Walmart
Guys can have fun with tie-dye too! The adidas Essential Tie Dyed T-Shirt has a comfortable crew neck fit and its speckled tie-dye design is sure to earn you compliments on the way to class.
$25 at PacSun
8. Bobs
No outfit is complete without a bucket hat this school year, and luckily these trendy accessories are super affordable, which means you can get a few options. The Mashiaoyi Reversible Bucket Hat has a unisex design, and you basically get two hats in one thanks to its reversible pattern. Plus, it’s available in a variety of fun prints, from florals to bananas to tie-dye.
$14 at Amazon
If you prefer a plain hat, the Standard Cloth cotton bucket hat is available in several trendy solid shades, such as dusty pink and blue-grey.
$10 at Urban Outfitters
You can even combine two trends into one with the adidas Color Wash Bucket Hat. It has a tie-dye finish that comes in multiple color options, and the hat features a shorter brim that won’t block your vision.
$15 at Kohls
9. Denim from head to toe
When it comes to denim, more is more in 2022. You’re going to see plenty of head-to-toe denim ensembles, and you can get in on the action with clothes like the Marla Jumpsuit. It comes in two colors and the jumpsuit has a relaxed, tapered silhouette that is both flattering and comfortable.
$128 at Free People
You can also embrace the denim trend with a pair of overalls, like the WallFlower Women’s Denim Overalls. These pants come in a variety of hues and have fun criss-cross straps in the back.
$38 at Amazon
Who said overalls had to be pants? The Lily Parker Ripped Denim Overall is actually a sleek denim short dress, and you can layer a T-shirt underneath for a school-appropriate outfit.
$44 at Amazon
Get deals and shopping tips straight to your phone. Subscribe to SMS alerts experts from Reviewed.
The product experts of Revised have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Rated on Facebook, Twitter, instagram, ICT Tac Where Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published, but may change over time.
