Back to School Outfits Featuring New Items

Back to school season is in full swing, y’all! I moved into my new apartment last Thursday and begin classes later this week. I know so many of you are taking this week to get situated + prepped for the new school year. I am too—and with that has come a little last-minute back-to-school shopping.

I stopped by the Tanger Outlets last weekend and scored tons of cute new pieces. I decided rather than just sharing a try-on session over on my Instagram, I also wanted to share the pieces here on the blog. I’m switching things up today and sharing each item I purchased + how I plan on styling it this back-to-school season. I hope this gives you a little inspiration on putting outfits together while shopping!

Giving you fair warning that most of these outfits are pretty relaxed/athleisure wear. It’s what I seem to wear the most here on campus. Luckily, I have a feeling most of you are in the same boat—especially with most schedules being hybrid this semester. Thankfully, these items can double as activewear yet look adorable. Enjoy!

H&M 

I have this tee in a gazillion colors already but when I saw it in this light tan I had to grab it. It’s the perfect neutral that pairs with everything. For $5.99 you can’t beat it!

It’s a longer crop, so it pairs well with high-waisted denim for a school day or a pair of joggers for lounging around. I styled it with my favorite flannel layered over top and a pair of slip-on sneakers. To cover that third-day hair, pop on a matching hat and you’re good to go for a day of walking around campus.

I’m a sucker for a good bodysuit, especially one as versatile as this! With some ribbing along the center, this piece was super slimming. Plus, I really liked the straight neckline. This pairs well with denim shorts and heels for a night out at the bars or with jeans and a cardigan for class!

AERIE 

Aerie has been killing the game recently. I picked up tons from them last month and was so impressed with everything that I had to stop back in this month. This time around I finally gave their Tik Tok famous crossover leggings a shot! I’ve heard so much about these and now that I’ve tried them on, I can definitely see why!

This material is the perfect mix of activewear and every day. They are super high waisted and with a crossover waistband, they flatter your figure beautifully. I also grabbed this longline sports bra that is a bit longer and can be worn on its own for that cropped tank look. It’s got light padding and a criss-cross back.

With a pair of sneakers and a hoodie over top, you’re all set for class + whatever else the day holds.

I loved the leggings so much that I had to grab the crossovers in the yoga pants version too. I loved them back in the day and figured I’d get tons of use out of them throughout my online semester. I also stumbled across this oversized “tacos and tennis” hoodie. Although I really did not need this, I absolutely did. 🤪 I wear comfy pieces like this all the time while tidying up the apartment, hanging with friends, and working from home.

The flares paired with the hoodie and sneaks give off the cutest, casual fall vibe. There are so many ways to dress these pieces up. I cannot wait to style them some more this season.

I know not everyone is a big fan of biker shorts but I personally love them. They are a no-brainer outfit for me and work really well for both the gym and online school. I’ve been looking for a cotton pair, rather than something workout material, and finally found these from Aerie!

I paired them with that same longer sports bra and threw on a hoodie, platform Converse, and my favorite crossbody bag. This is one of my go-to looks for a day full of online classes and editing. Comfy yet cute!

So many of you have been asking for sweater recommendations and with temperatures cooling, I figured it was only right to pick this one up from Aerie! I’ve been on the hunt for something perfect for summer to fall transition and finally found it. This piece is just the right weight and works well with denim shorts for lunch with the girls or weekend errands.

Because it’s a little bit longer in the back, I think this would work well with leggings and booties come fall time. I love staple pieces like this and wear them constantly once that time rolls around.

OLD NAVY 

Old Navy has also been on my radar recently. I stopped by and picked up this white sports bra. I had this freshman year of college and lost it somewhere between a move. It was on sale for 30% off so I decided it was finally time to replace it. Although it’s not padded, it’s double-lined and has a lot of support!

I also grabbed these high-rise Go-Dry joggers and my gosh are they good! These are exact dupes for the Lululemon Align joggers and make your body look incredible! They hit you at the most slimming spot of your waist and make your butt look amazing. With a 7/8 length and a tapered fit, these could not fit better.

Although you could wear these two together for low-impact exercise, I’ll be wearing them with sneakers and an oversized hoodie around campus. Again, these baseball caps are my best friend throughout the school year.

I’m someone who loves something and ends up buying it in every color so I also grabbed those joggers in navy too. They were 30% off and too adorable to resist. I figured since these were my school’s colors I’d get lots of use out of them throughout the school year. For reference, I’m wearing these in an XS and am 5’3, 25-inch waist. I’ll likely wear this duo with a pair of sneakers and a cute baseball tee for their next game!

Last month when shopping at the Tanger Outlets, I stumbled across the cutest grey zebra activewear. Everything was on clearance so I grabbed it all! This month I found the joggers on clearance for $11 and had to buy them. Luckily I had already purchased the matching sports bra so now I’m able to mix and match all the items! This is the perfect Spanx dupe if you’re looking for a supportive, more affordable sports bra option.

I plan on wearing this duo to the gym since it’s a bolder pattern. I’m slipping into my black Adidas sneakers and calling it a day.

SHOP THE LOOKS

Although I purchased everything in-store at the National Harbor Tanger location, I was able to find all but one item online for you! However, if you choose to do your shopping in person, now through 8/29 you can save 25% off at participating @tangeroutlet stores! Coupons are available at Shopper Services and for download at tangeroutlet.com. To get a $10 gift card, show my code MCKENZIE at Shopper Services.

Well, did you enjoy this style blog post?! I thought that it may be fun to switch things up and share the styling process with you. If you’re interested in seeing more posts this style OR want to see more casual, athleisure outfit ideas, be sure to let me know in the comments below so I can start planning more for you!

Make sure you’re following me on Instagram to stay up to date on my latest shopping finds + college outfits of the days. Can’t wait to start sharing fall fashion with you—but first, it’s time for some photoshoots in Kent. Until then…

With love, McKenz

Latest Post: Weekly Wrap Up #34 2021
Related Post: 10 Back To School Outfit Ideas
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