There’s nothing quite as distinct and memorable as the adolescent feeling of going back to school. The slight cooling in the air, the nervous anticipation of seeing old friends, the excitement of having fresh new duds and school supplies — it’s a specific churn of emotions that kind of fades as you reach adulthood, and your schedule is not so governed by the seasonal school year. However, there’s no denying that the return of fall has the ability to conjure up those feels — even if you’ve only been out of the office for two weeks, and not three months.
To channel the unique nostalgia of that bygone time, we thought about all of those back-to-school items that we prized as kids and younger teens, and came up with the office-friendly, grownup counterparts that will help you conjure up those butterflies again. Even if you’re packing up a laptop-friendly leather backpack instead of a padded-strap nylon number or re-stocking a cubicle in lieu of a steel-and-formica lift-lid desk, these fresh new work-life staples will have you feeling like a kid again (while looking, of course, like a totally put-together adult). Click through to see what will help hit the seasonal reset button.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The New Dress
Then: Anything from the dELiA*s catalog
Now: Stylish, office-appropriate frock
Circa middle school, it wasn’t a question of whether or not your new-school-year outfit would be from the iconic teen catalog — it was just a matter of deciding which of the dazzling, daisy-adorned babydoll dresses you’d beg mom to buy you. In present day, you still want a new dress for fall, but the office-friendly version is decidedly more restrained. We bet you’ll wear this sophisticated number from H&M’s latest collab with British brand Richard Allan about as often as you wore your floral minidress — i.e., as often as you could.
Richard Alan x H&M Shirt Dress with Tie Belt, $34.99, available at H&M
The Backpack
Then: Nylon Jansport
Now: Sleek, laptop-friendly vegan convertible rucksack
This is one accessory that hasn’t changed too much. As an adult, you’re still lugging a whole bunch of stuff around — only now it’s a laptop and your gym shoes instead of notebooks and a a bagged lunch. The adult version of this childhood carryall is a roomy and sophisticated vegan leather knapsack — in a color that the childhood your would have loved as much as your adult self does.
Matt & Nat VIGNELLI Backpack, $165, available at Matt & Nat
The Game-Day Look
Then: School-spirit hoodie
Now: Elevated rugby shirt
You want to look sporty and casual on your off-site team-building day, but the hoodie of your grade-school alma mater is a little too off-duty to wear in the presence of your colleagues. Channel the spirit of that logo-emblazoned sweatshirt you’d wear to root for your high-school basketball team with a slouchy-but-polished and distinctly grownup rugby shirt.
Donni Rugby Half Zip Pullover, $234, available at Verishop
The Outer Layer
Then: Another hoodie (but this one was like, really nice)
Now: Blazer
In the old days, you relied on that cool hoodie to give your outfit some extra edgy oomph — you may have even bought it yourself (with baby-sitting or dog-walking dollars) because your mom didn’t approve of the design. There’s a present day outer-layer that gives your office outfit a similar boost, only now you’re going for the kind of polish and power that’s going to impress clients, not upperclassmen.
Topshop Double Breasted Jacket, $100, available at Topshop
The School-Supply Keeper
Then: Pencil case
Now: Phone case
In our younger years, you’d find us carrying oblong cases that held pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, scissors, and Post-It notes. Now, you’ll find us carrying … our mobile phones. And that’s it. However, just because all of these devices are now contained in a single device doesn’t mean you don’t need a nice carrying case. A leather iPhone sling will definitely impress your co-workers, in addition to giving you easy to access to all of the aforementioned tools.
Building Block Large iPhone Sling, $115.99, available at Need Supply
The Assembly Day/Presentation Shoe
Then: Sebagos
Now: A Polished Loafer
As much as you still kind of cherish those brown boat shoes that you’d have to wear during important school-wide events, they definitely won’t cut it when you’re running your boss through that huge PowerPoint presentation. A pair of blindingly shiny loafers are the professional, grown-up answer.
& Other Stories Round Toe Loafer, $129, available at & Other Stories
The Sneaker
Then: Cleats and Chucks
Now: Lo-Fi sneakers that are sleek enough for the office
New soccer cleats and a pair of bright, fresh Converse shoes were a must-have at the beginning the school year. In case you can’t quite get away with high-top Chuck Taylors at the office nowadays, sneak in with an ultra-clean, “adult” sneaker that will look sharp with tailored trousers.
Tretorn Nylite Bold, $80, available at Zappos
The Denim
Then: Low-rise
Now: Dark-wash sailor jeans
There was a time when only one dungaree silhouette would do — one with a precipitously low waist. Now, if you’re lucky enough to be employed in a denim-friendly workplace, we’d recommend the opposite: something with a high waist and a chic wide leg.
Rolla’s Sailor Jeans, $99, available at Free People
The Underwear
Then: Victoria’s Secret padded bra
Now: Anything comfortable
The crushing irony of breasts: back in ninth grade, you may have been dying to wear a bra with a capital B — whether or not you actually needed the support. Now, you’d give anything to not have to wear one, and are constantly seeking out soft-but-supportive options for the everyday hustle with as few bells as whistles as possible.
Calvin Klein 1981 Bold Bralette, $36, available at Nordstrom
Calvin Klein 1981 Bold Bikini, $20, available at Nordstrom
The Travel Souvenir
Then: T-Shirts
Now: Baubles
Back then, you very proudly rocked that tropical tee that your parents bought you while on vacation, but as an adult, your taste for souvenirs has changed. Now you like to buy up locally made jewelry and accessories, whether you’re browsing boutiques in Paris or trolling artisan markets in Mexico City. Your co-workers will most certainly want to know where your sculptural new earrings came from — unlike all of the boys in your sixth-grade class, who could care less about your cool new Disneyland duds.
Vaux Vintage Silver Oblong Wire Hoop Earrings, $52, available at Etsy
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Here’s What R29’s Fashion Team Is Making Space For In Their Closets This Fall
18 New Plus-Size Arrivals From Anthro (Some Of Which Are Already On Sale)
The 12 Best Nursing Bras, According To Real Moms
Source: Refinery29 – Emily Ruane