Piece by Piece: Back to School

This time of year, most college kids have found their way back on campus and all high-schoolers ought to be preparing for their first time of year. We’re all familiar with back to school shopping and we hope many of you have been aiming to up the sartorial ante starting this fall. While it’s great to start getting custom-made suits and the like, it’s not exactly the most practical thing for those of you who still live on campus–or with your parents. Here’s a great outfit of mid-priced items that can each act as a great new addition to your campus wardrobe.

We would like to encourage a return to the days when students used to dress like men and the easiest way to start doing that is to replace those jeans with a nice pair of trousers. Keep it simple with with some classic flannel trousers in charcoal like these ones from Epaulet and you’ve got a good base to work from. The natural friend of the flannel trouser on college campuses is a nice button-down oxford shirt, but this fall opt for a plaid version of the classic.

Since it won’t be too cold for a bit, look for a nice vest instead of a heavy winter jacket. While we love Lands’ End’s simple down vest, we’ve been looking for something a bit more unique and found it in the form of Orvis’ Waxed Sheridan Vest. Round out your outfit with some nice penny loafers–penny optional–and spectacles.

Warby Parker Fillmore Glasses, $95 at Warby Parker

Orvis Waxed Sheridan Vest, $169 at Orvis

Polo Ralph Lauren Plaid Oxford Shirt, $85 at Ralph Lauren

Epaulet Tapered Flannel Trousers, $185 at Epaulet

Sebago Penny Loafer, $140 at Sebago