What to wear for the start of the 2026 school year?
The start of the 2026 school year marks a return to daily routines and a gradual shift in the weather. After weeks of summer attire, wardrobes are slowly evolving to suit the first crisp days of September. But how do you dress for the new season while staying comfortable when temperatures may still be mild?
With a mix of transitional pieces, layers, and accessories, it is easy to put together practical, comfortable, and trendy outfits. From corduroy overshirts and sleeveless sherpa vests to backpacks, scarves, socks, and belts—discover the must-have items to kick off the 2026 season in style.
Mid-season pieces to prioritize for back to work
In September, there is no need to immediately pull out your warmest clothes. The return to the daily routine after the summer break is primarily a transitional period, when temperatures can fluctuate significantly between morning and afternoon.
To make getting dressed easy, opt for transitional pieces that can be layered or removed depending on the weather. An outfit consisting of a t-shirt and an extra layer is a good base for the first days back at work.
Fabrics and textures associated with autumn also begin to appear. Materials like corduroy and sherpa, in particular, allow you to gradually shift your wardrobe toward the colder season while maintaining easy-to-wear silhouettes.
The velvet overshirt, a back-to-work essential
Among the items to adopt in September, the men's velvet overshirt easily finds its place in a back-to-school wardrobe. Functioning as both a shirt and a lightweight jacket, it is ideal for days when temperatures begin to drop.
Worn open over a T-shirt, it adds an extra layer without weighing down the silhouette. It can also be buttoned up and paired with trousers to create a more structured look.
Velvet also allows you to gradually introduce autumnal materials into your looks. Whether worn with jeans, chinos, or sneakers, the overshirt is particularly well-suited to casual back-to-work styles.
The sherpa jacket for the first chill of the season
As temperatures drop, the sleeveless sherpa jacket becomes an ideal choice for the mid-season. Available for both men and women, it adds a warm layer while allowing for great freedom of movement.
Its sleeveless design makes layering easy: it can be worn over a T-shirt on milder days, or over a sweatshirt and a lightweight sweater as autumn sets in.
For an effortless back-to-work look, simply pair it with trousers and sneakers. It can also add a casual touch to an outfit made up of dressier pieces.
Accessories that complete a back-to-work look
Clothing isn't the only factor to consider when putting together a back-to-work outfit. Accessories make it easy to personalize a look and update your wardrobe as the weeks go by.
As the first chill of the season sets in, a small women's wool scarf becomes an accessory that is as practical as it is elegant. It is the perfect companion for the transition between summer and autumn. Whether tied around the neck, draped over the shoulders, or simply tucked into a bag, it adds a touch of color or texture to any outfit.
Men's socks and women's socks are among the small essentials not to be neglected at the start of the school year. Beyond their practical function, they can add a touch of color, pattern, or contrast to an outfit. Whether worn with slightly cropped trousers, jeans, mid-season shorts, or a skirt, they can become a genuine style statement.
At the back to work season, men's belts and women's belts remain a must-have accessory. While their primary purpose is to hold up and adjust pants, they also play a role in shaping your silhouette.
A simple style can easily be paired with a variety of pants and works just as well with a casual outfit as it does with a more formal look. This makes it one of the easiest accessories to incorporate into your back-to-work wardrobe.
The backpack: an essential for getting back to daily life
The return to the daily routine also means getting back to commuting—whether it’s heading to the office, returning to classes, spending the day out and about, or heading off for the weekend. In this context, the backpack quickly becomes an essential item.
To be practical for everyday use, it needs to make carrying your essentials easy while remaining lightweight and comfortable.
With a volume of around 20 liters and weighing less than 800 grams, the Base Camp backpack strikes a great balance between capacity and lightness. It is the perfect companion for workdays, daily commutes, and weekend getaways alike.
How can you easily put together a back-to-work outfit?
To avoid cluttering your wardrobe with too many items, opt for versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. A simple base of a T-shirt and trousers can easily be adapted to the weather by adding an overshirt or a gilet.
Accessories then allow you to personalize the outfit: a belt to define your silhouette, socks to add a pop of color, or a scarf to introduce a touch of elegance.
The goal is to create a versatile back-to-work wardrobe that adapts to September’s varying temperatures without sacrificing style or comfort.
In short, a return to work marked by versatility
The start of the 2026 back-to-work season is the perfect time to gradually transition your wardrobe toward fall. Rather than completely overhauling your wardrobe in September, opt for mid-season clothes and accessories that are easy to wear and mix and match.
Velvet overshirts, sleeveless sherpa jackets, scarves, socks, belts, or backpacks: these essentials let you put together back-to-work outfits suitable for everyday wear while making a smooth transition into the new season.