fall transition outfit
Shop the Look: LIVING ON THE EDGE OLIVE GREEN MOTO JACKETGOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP, LAID-LY IN LOVE BROWN MULTI-PLAID HIGH-WAISTED MINI SKIRT, ROMETTY BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS, SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

Do you ever stand in front of your closet and think “wow, I have nothing to wear”? We have literally all  been there, where you have plenty of clothes, but no outfits that work. While it’s super fun to pick up unique statement pieces, they can be hard to style, especially when what you really need is a variety of simple but stylish outfits for everyday wear. 

The capsule wardrobe is the solution! Capsule wardrobes are made up of pieces that can easily be interchanged and paired together to create a variety of outfits. The key is choosing basic pieces that fit your style and could easily be worn in many different ways. 

To help get you inspired and show you how easily you can create lots of looks with just a few pieces, we’ve created this back-to-school capsule wardrobe. Scroll on to see outfit ideas for, literally, days.

13 Pieces for Back To School

The mark of a good capsule wardrobe is maximizing how many times you can use a single piece. Here, we’re highlighting twelve different pieces that we would include in a back-to-school wardrobe. 

1. Crop Top

white crop top
SHOP THE LOOK: GOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP

So versatile and trendy, we love including a simple crop top in any basics wardrobe. Since we’ve chosen a simple white, this top can be worn on its own, as an undershirt, or as a cute layering moment. 

2. Black Sleeveless Bodysuit

black sleeveless bodysuit
SHOP THE LOOK: SYMBOLIZE BLACK SLEEVELESS BODYSUIT

Bodysuits are a great option for a capsule wardrobe because they work with any bottoms, and give you a little bit of support. A simple bodysuit functions as a sleek top and gives you coverage while wearing a skirt, plus, you never have to worry about it coming untucked during the day. 

3. White Oversized Button-Up Shirt

white oversized button up shirt
SHOP THE LOOK: NEW LOCATIONS WHITE OVERSIZED LONG-SLEEVE BUTTON-UP TOP

Having a button-up long-sleeved shirt in your capsule wardrobe is a must for layering and cute slouchy looks. We like the casual but still dressed-up vibes of this oversized button-up, and the scholarly vibes are perfect for back-to-school. 

4. Olive Green Moto Jacket

green moto jacket
SHOP THE LOOK: LIVING ON THE EDGE OLIVE GREEN MOTO JACKET

While it may be warm for the first few weeks of school, Fall starts to get chilly quickly, and heavily air-conditioned classrooms can get pretty cold. Because of this, it’s important you have a light jacket

5. Ribbed Bodycon Midi Dress

taupe bodycon midi dress
SHOP THE LOOK: MAJORLY TRENDY TAUPE RIBBED BODYCON MIDI DRESS

Even a capsule wardrobe deserves a little drama, and that’s exactly what this gorgeous (but casual) bodycon dress is giving. Wear this layered with a shirt, or on its own for a serious fashion statement. 

6. Plaid High-Waisted Mini Skirt

plaid mini skirt
SHOP THE LOOK: PLAID-LY IN LOVE BROWN MULTI-PLAID HIGH-WAISTED MINI SKIRT

This wouldn’t be a proper back-to-school capsule wardrobe without a perfect plaid skirt. Plaid skirts are an iconic school vibe, and this brown multi-plaid skirt has all the retro vibes with a touch of modern minimalism. 

7. Light-Wash Straight-Leg Jeans

light wash straight leg jeans
SHOP THE LOOK: 90s PINCH-WAIST LIGHT-WASH DISTRESSED DENIM STRAIGHT JEANS

The 90s and early 2000s are back in, which means skinny jeans are out and we’re wearing straight cuts again! We love classic, light-wash denim, and we especially love how this pair of Agoldes pinches at the waist to give these jeans a little shape. 

8. Black Paper Bag Waist Linen Shorts

black paper bag shorts
SHOP THE LOOK: ADVENTURE CHASER BLACK LINEN PAPER BAG WAIST SHORTS

Paper bag-waist shorts are every bit as comfortable as biker shorts, but look a touch more stylish and appropriate for school. This pair is made from linen which is super breezy and lightweight. 

9. Doc Martens Chelsea Boots

black doc martens chelsea boots
SHOP THE LOOK: ROMETTY BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS

Docs are a classic, and for back-to-school, we’re loving these Doc Martin Chelsea boots! Easy to slip on and off, these are perfect for hectic days of going to classes. 

10. High-Top Flatform Sneakers

high top white sneakers
SHOP THE LOOK: 2708 HI TOP WHITE LACE-UP CANVAS FLATFORM SNEAKERS

High-top sneakers, but make them platforms! Need we say more? 

11. Nude Mules

nude faux leather mules
Shop the Look: Fallyn Naked Hazelnut Mules

Nude sandals with a low heel help bridge the gap between laid-back summer fun and polished fall fashion. These are versatile and ideal for days when temperatures are still in summer mode.

12. Chic Brown Tote

brown tote
SHOP THE LOOK: BACK TO BUSINESS COGNAC TOTE

Carrying a tote bag gives you plenty of room for your computer, books, and the essentials, but looks so much better than a conventional messenger bag. 

13. Mini Vegan Leather Backpack

black vegan leather backpack
SHOP THE LOOK: SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK

For days when you don’t need much, sling this cute mini backpack over your shoulder and enjoy the day!

12 Back To School Outfits

We’ve created 12 outfits using these capsule wardrobe pieces, but you could easily create more! Check out what we put together. 

1. First Day of School

plaid skirt outfit
Shop the Look: SYMBOLIZE BLACK SLEEVELESS BODYSUIT, PLAID-LY IN LOVE BROWN MULTI-PLAID HIGH-WAISTED MINI SKIRT, ROMETTY BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS, SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

Fresh and sweet, this look is perfect for the first day of school, or any day you feel like making a good first impression. 

2. Picture Day

fall transition outfit
Shop the Look: LIVING ON THE EDGE OLIVE GREEN MOTO JACKET, GOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP, LAID-LY IN LOVE BROWN MULTI-PLAID HIGH-WAISTED MINI SKIRT, ROMETTY BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS, SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

Look and feel like a scholar in your school picture in this adorable retro-preppy look!

3. Sleepy Mondays

transitional outft
Shop the Look: NEW LOCATIONS WHITE OVERSIZED LONG-SLEEVE BUTTON-UP TOP, SYMBOLIZE BLACK SLEEVELESS BODYSUIT, 90s PINCH-WAIST LIGHT-WASH DISTRESSED DENIM STRAIGHT JEANS, 2708 HI TOP WHITE LACE-UP CANVAS FLATFORM SNEAKERS, BACK TO BUSINESS COGNAC TOTE, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

Comfortable and loose, this look will help you get through those sleepy Mondays when you wish you were wearing pajamas. 

4. Teacher’s Pet Vibes

fall transition outfit
Shop the Look: GOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP, LAID-LY IN LOVE BROWN MULTI-PLAID HIGH-WAISTED MINI SKIRT, ROMETTY BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS, SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

If you’re inspired by characters like Nancy Drew or Hermione Granger, this outfit will suit your vibe. Simple, practical, but still definitely an aesthetic, we’re loving how versatile this plaid skirt is. 

5. Tasteful Tuesdays/h3>
fall transition outfit
Shop the Look: GOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP, 90s PINCH-WAIST LIGHT-WASH DISTRESSED DENIM STRAIGHT JEANS, Fallyn Naked Hazelnut Mules, BACK TO BUSINESS COGNAC TOTE, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

It’s Tuesday, and you have a little more energy than you did on Monday. Glam it up with your super cute tote, but keep things casual with jeans and your white crop top. 

6. Presentation Days

fall transition outfit
Shop the Look: GOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP, ADVENTURE CHASER BLACK LINEN PAPER BAG WAIST SHORTS, Fallyn Naked Hazelnut Mules, SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

It can help you earn extra points if you look professional and put together while presenting, and this outfit will hit the mark and help you make top marks. 

7. Whatever Wednesdays

back to school outfit idea
Shop the Look: GOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP, 90s PINCH-WAIST LIGHT-WASH DISTRESSED DENIM STRAIGHT JEANS, 2708 HI TOP WHITE LACE-UP CANVAS FLATFORM SNEAKERS, BACK TO BUSINESS COGNAC TOTE, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

It’s Wednesday, hump day, the middle of the week. No need to get too excited, and you can keep dressing comfy. For this look, we’re keeping it simple and sporty, and elevated with gold extras.

8. Back To Basics

back to school outfit
Shop the Look: SYMBOLIZE BLACK SLEEVELESS BODYSUIT, LAID-LY IN LOVE BROWN MULTI-PLAID HIGH-WAISTED MINI SKIRT, Fallyn Naked Hazelnut Mules, BACK TO BUSINESS COGNAC TOTE, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

This look is simple and timeless, and we love the sleek, tailored look. Chic yet understated, this outfit will make you feel your natural beauty. 

9. Chilly Autumn Days

fall outfit idea
Shop the Look: LIVING ON THE EDGE OLIVE GREEN MOTO JACKET, GOTTA HAVE IT WHITE CROP TOP, 90s PINCH-WAIST LIGHT-WASH DISTRESSED DENIM STRAIGHT JEANS, ROMETTY BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS, SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

Time to layer up! Long sleeves, long pants, a jacket, and boots in case it rains. This look is all about keeping you warm and dry on chilly Autumn days. 

10. Early Release Days

taupe knit midi dress
Shop the Look: MAJORLY TRENDY TAUPE RIBBED BODYCON MIDI DRESS, LAID-LY IN LOVE BROWN MULTI-PLAID HIGH-WAISTED MINI SKIRT, Fallyn Naked Hazelnut Mules, SIDEWALK STUNNER BLACK BACKPACK, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

You usually don’t have to bring much to early release days, and you can even make plans with friends right after since you’ll all be leaving school early! This fit screams “I’m ready to hit the mall” and feels celebratory for a special day. 

11. Dressed To Impress

green moto jacket outfit
Shop the Look: LIVING ON THE EDGE OLIVE GREEN MOTO JACKET, MAJORLY TRENDY TAUPE RIBBED BODYCON MIDI DRESS, ROMETTY BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS, Impeccable Taste 14KT Gold Initial Card Necklace, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

Meeting with your counselor to talk about your future? Visiting a college for the first time? Being given a special award at assembly? This fit is all about making a great impression and will help you feel every bit as powerful and qualified as you really are. 

12. TGIF

back to school outfit
Shop the Look: NEW LOCATIONS WHITE OVERSIZED LONG-SLEEVE BUTTON-UP TOP, MAJORLY TRENDY TAUPE RIBBED BODYCON MIDI DRESS, 2708 HI TOP WHITE LACE-UP CANVAS FLATFORM SNEAKERS, BACK TO BUSINESS COGNAC TOTE, Tantalizing Gold Hoop Earrings, Jones Gold Hexagon Sunglasses

Finally! It’s Friday! By layering this bodycon dress with the oversized button-up, this look becomes slightly more practical for wear during class, but can easily convert into those baddie vibes you need for a fun Friday night!

We want to see your back to school outfit ideas! Show us on on Instagram or TikTok @lulus using #lovelulus and head to our Fall Fashion Shop for more transitional season styles!