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Head Back to School in Style

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Back-to-School Must-Haves

Product photos from retailer site.

This back-to-school season really means “back to the classroom” for most students, and it’s one that bears mixed feelings. Beyond the last year of Zoom calls, digital assignments and part-time learning, education at home meant little chance to show off new looks and gear that makes the return to academia so exciting. While parts of the world opened up just in time for summer vacation, those cabin weekends and lazy beach afternoons seem to drift just as quickly as they arrive.

In normal times, we consider back-to-school an opportunity to reassess and refine ourselves. Not unlike New Year's, August and September offers opportunities to meet new peers, colleagues and future professional connections. This necessitates putting your best foot (and all the rest) forward to make the best impression. (Disclaimer: While we don't encourage judging people by their appearances, we do believe that a great look inspires confidence in yourself and those around you.)

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For us, part of getting our mojo on involves polishing up our existing wardrobe, then adding a couple special pieces. At school, stuff gets lost, stolen or otherwise knocked around through the rigors of daily life, so we tend to take stock of fewer, more curated items that will go a long way.

Here are some of our favorite must-haves that we've got our eye on for back to school. This way, you'll look and feel prepared to impress in every class you show up to — even if you haven't done the homework.

Best Clothes for Back-to-School

Frank And Oak Eco-Dye T-Shirt

Frank And Oak Eco-Dye T-Shirt

A good t-shirt can go a long way and this option from the Canadian brand comes in four snazzy colors with natural dyes for a more casual look and feel. A soft, durable shirt is crucial for those days when the alarm doesn’t go off and you need to throw on something in a hurry to make the first class of the day.

$39.50 at FrankAndOak.com

Asket Linen Shirt

Asket Linen Shirt

A good collared button-down never goes out of style and has a habit of being there when you need it, even if your school doesn’t have a dress code. Choosing these vertical stripes from Asket also keeps sustainability in mind using organic linen and noting full production traceability. Plus, it never hurts to look put together in class.

$140 at Asket.com

DL 1961 Russell Slim Straight

DL 1961 Russell Slim Straight

We all know jeans are back-to-school essentials, so make the investment in one pair that’ll last for the whole school year (and likely longer). The slightly-relaxed, straight fit is flattering to a variety of body shapes and sizes and this version comes in six different fades, so there’s something to match any look you’re striving for.

$158 at DL1961.com

Back-to-School Shoes & Accessories

Clae Bradley Cactus

Clae Bradley Cactus

Of course, shoes say so much about our personal style - and they have to function through the day-to-day academic grind. These slick sneakers are made with an organic cactus leather upper and have that slim silhouette perfect for late summer and early fall. Consider these your go-to walking between buildings (or parties).

$150 at Clae.com

Timex Navi XL

Timex Navi XL

Watches tend to be a little less seen on campus, so what better way to stand out from your peers than with this retro look that’s very much on-trend? It’s water-resistant to 100 meters and the fabric strap is casual enough for daily wear while having just enough oomph to dress up when needed.

$129 at Timex.com

Zeal Optics Divide

Zeal Optics Divide

If you’re looking for that mix of fun and function in your eyewear, look no further than Zeal’s See Grass lineup and the “Divide” style. These polarized shades have a neat speckled frame with plenty of flex to stand up to last-minute activities (or the casual drop on the floor).

$169 at ZealOptics.com

Best Back-to-School Backpacks

Day Owl Backpack

Day Owl Backpack

This 100% circular bag comes in a range of colors and checks off just about all the boxes for the academic hustle. The padded computer pocket fits up to a 16” laptop and there’s also a “secret” side pocket for those things you definitely need to keep hidden (we’ll leave that up to you). It’s an overall classy look ready for wherever your day takes you.

$149 at DayOwl.com

Topo Designs Rover Pack Tech

Topo Designs Rover Pack Tech

If you need more space and connectors to haul more gear, take a look at this solid setup from the team at Topo Designs. The entire piece is built out of tough 1000D nylon and has that drool-worthy monochromatic look in one of four color options. Plus, it’s a value buy at under $130.

$129 at TopoDesigns.com

Mission Workshop Fitzroy

Mission Workshop Fitzroy

Maybe you’re heading to art school and have precious cargo, or maybe you’re just an EDC enthusiast looking for serious pack protection. Whatever the case, Mission Workshop calls this bag “an impenetrable fortress” for good reason. It’s 40 liters of military-spec construction with waterproof fabrics and internal pockets with all sorts of organizational solutions. It’s a “must-have” for students who need peace of mind for their gear.

$250 at MissionWorkshop.com

Best Back-to-School Tech

NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 System

NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 System

Whether you like it or not, you need fast, reliable and secure internet to make school even possible. This tip is more for those sharing a home off-campus this year who may have 4 (or more) people sharing one network with potentially dozens of connected devices. This router from NETGEAR can support around 40 devices without interruption, covering homes up to 5,000 sq. ft. Figure out your wifi game plan now so you can do your third run of Fortnite homework without any hiccups.

$449.99 (two-pack) at Netgear.com

Otterbox Fast Charge Qi Wireless Power Bank

Otterbox Fast Charge Qi Wireless Power Bank

Portable power has come a long way. Otterbox has put hours of power into a tough shell with Qi wireless technology for worry-free charging. Power banks come in handy in more ways than you think - whether it’s in a pinch on the quad or cramming in the library late at night.

$39.99 at Otterbox.com

PhoneSoap HomeSoap UV Sanitizer 

PhoneSoap HomeSoap UV Sanitizer

Of course, we’re all going to be more germ-conscious this year, and no one will think twice if you adopt safe sanitizing practices as soon as you walk through the door. This PhoneSoap HomeSoap has a streamlined look and goes way beyond your phone. It sanitizes essential everyday items including tablets, game controlers, even some laptops. 

$199.99 at Amazon.com

Back-to-School Grooming Essentials

Jupiter Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner

Jupiter Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner

You know what’s not in style any school year? Dandruff. Jupiter’s fantastic Balancing Shampoo integrates mint, vanilla, sage and lavender alongside the active ingredient found in most dandruff shampoos to offer something a little extra in your dry hair care. It’s free of many of the nasty things found in more traditional shampoos and works in much smaller doses for a longer-lasting bottle.

$46 at HelloJupiter.com

Jack Black Pit Boss Antiperspirant and Deodorant Duo

Jack Black Pit Boss Antiperspirant and Deodorant Duo

Attacking unsightly underarm odor is a two-pronged approach through blocking sweat and adding something with a more pleasant, natural smell. Take this two-pack, for example, which includes vitamin E and aloe leaf juice to help the body more naturally guard against that wicked stench and rehydrate in the process.

$27 at Nordstrom.com

Branch Basics Basic Starter Kit

Branch Basics Basic Starter Kit

College homes sometimes have a lack of…cleanliness, but Branch Basics has made it so simple to clean efficiently and effectively, you don’t really have an excuse anymore. The concentrate is easily diluted into one of several different mixes (for each portion for the home) and makes delegating these duties so much easier. Best of all, it’s a fragrance-free, thoroughly tested formula that won’t aggravate the senses and is easy on just about any surface.

$59 at BranchBasics.com

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