How To Dress Like a Private Schoolgirl From Home

This past weekend I read an article in the WSJ Off Duty section in which the general consensus was that women are ready to ditch the leisurewear and get dressed. One professor who was interviewed said: “I’m teaching entirely from home, but I’m still planning to dress the way I did in the physical classroom. Clothes allow me to shift into different roles and I don’t want to give that up just because I’m at home”. This statement resonated with me and the idea for this blog post was created — How to dress like a schoolgirl when you are not even going to school. When I think of the classic “schoolgirl” outfit I think of a private school uniform or the outfits worn on Gossip Girl from the late 2000s. Growing up I was that student who always debated for school uniforms in the classic debate: should schools make uniforms mandatory? Secondly, differentiating weekday clothes from weekend clothes helps separate the two and may help ones’ work-life balance. For some, throwing on sweat pants at the end of a long week and relaxing in comfy clothes all weekend was something to look forward to prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, the excitement of leisurewear on the weekend might be lost as every day blends together. A way to get that excitement back and distinguish the weekends better is by dressing as you normally would during the week — even if this means only wearing a blouse and blazer on top and loose bottoms (baby steps). For others, the weekends meant dressing up and going out prior to coronavirus. If this describes you, I recommend dressing up during your weekends, even if it means wearing a top-notch outfit to the grocery store or for a walk around your neighborhood.  If you are a student looking for motivation to get dressed for an online class or you just want to channel your inner schoolgirl fashion sense here is some inspiration for how to dress like a schoolgirl from home!

Cardigans

A staple in any wardrobe these are a must for the schoolgirl look. Any color/style/fit will work, just make sure not to clash patterns. When wearing a plain skirt, pair with a patterned cardigan, and vice versa.

Button Downs

You can’t have a private school look without buttons! Even a 1/4 button-down polo will work. Perfect for layering underneath your cardigan with the collar peeking out. Same as with the cardigan, any color/style/fit will work. I am convinced that wearing a button-down makes you feel instantly put together.

Plaid Skirts

A classic plaid skirt or plain skirt with pleats is perfect!

Tights/Socks

Tights are a classic way to style skirts during the autumn/winter seasons. Tights will make any look more feminine and classy. In this case, they will tone down the short skirt. Knee-high socks look cute peeking out of tall boots. Stick with classic neutral colors or have fun with dainty polka dots!

Accessories

Grab a silk scarf to tie around your neck or use in your hair. A classic tote is perfect for carrying around everything you need.