Trend-Spotting September: Back to Classics

Sights | Ella Bowles

Remember that scene in The Devil Wears Prada where Andy throws her phone into that fountain in Paris, vowing never to fall for Miranda Priestly's fashion crazes? Well, rewind that tape. Only this time, scratch out that blah ending, and replay it as though Andy never turned her back — as though she remained a journalist shuffled into the hysterics of the fashion industry. This is where I come in. I may be more of an amateur writer than a recognized collegiate journalist, but I love Chanel boots just as much as the next girl. Think local fashion enthusiast, or that girl in the hallway who always stops you because she likes your bag or because she wants to show off her new sweater.

A big city like Toronto has so much to offer when it comes to the arts, especially fashion. In Ella’s Edge, readers and viewers will get a curated look at local venues, spots, and like-minded fashion folk in the city, as well as style tips, trend-spotting, and even critiques of the latest looks. Here, as the writer and reporter of it all, I’m not looking to spook the reader in a lecture-style, ‘you must wear this if you want to be cool’ tone. Think of Ella’s Edge as lunch with your eccentric aunt. She always has the most to say, has the best advice, and makes sure to take you out to all the hot places. Ella’s Edge is a fashion-focused realm within the Howl Mag.

At the time of writing, September is just about halfway through. This means that slowly but surely, we’re all starting to swap our silk slips and light button-ups for the chunky knit, Rory Gilmore-esque section of our closets. With a massive spike in the online streaming of teen classics like Gossip Girl and her small-town cousin, Gilmore Girls, the rebirth of the Ivy League look was inevitable. Although we’ve seen several microtrends emerge from the 2020-2021 era of COVID (examples include, but are not limited to, cow print pants and a modern twist on the Y2K look), this trend has always been a classic, and is pretty unlikely to go out of style. Even if it’s newer to us, Cher Horowitz was doing it back in 1996, and Jennifer Connelly, in Empire Records, before her. Fashion is an ever-turning cycle, and it's come full circle.

The verdict is in: the schoolgirl look is back.

Here are a couple staple pieces and elements that I think really make this vibe into what it is.

So, where do we start? In this case, the uniformity is the real staple piece here. Starting with a plaid skirt is the perfect kick-off. Seen on it girls Bella Hadid and the ever-iconic Lily Rose Depp, there are many ways to style this classic. Matching the pattern with plain always gives the wearer a look of togetherness without them really having to try at all. An easy way to ensure a good match is to take a colour from the palette of the plaid and then find a plain piece in that same solid colour (as seen below).

Seeking out these pieces isn’t hard at all. Because prices can range from cheap to designer, the possibilities are endless. I find vintage shops and thrift shops (Kensington Market is always a safe bet) have an amazing selection of vintage school uniforms in many different colours and sizes, so don’t be afraid to be picky! If we’re looking for a more upscale approach to the scholastic style, even high fashion designers have been up on this look lately. One of the more popular ready-to-wear looks of the 2022 runway was in Miu Miu’s ‘Character Study’ collection, a subsection of their Fall/Winter 2022 showcase. They hit the nail right on the head with this collection. The patterns and linear silhouette of the collection’s look book give us no shortage of inspiration.

*Select looks from Miu Miu’s F/W 2022/2023 collection*

Other designers like Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Prada have also taken their own agency in bringing this look to the runway. Ralph Lauren provides a more classic take, Prada a more sleek appearance, and Gucci (as always) brings their signature quirks to the schoolgirl style. Below are some looks from their most recent collections.

From these examples, there are some final, pretty important parts of this look that we can take away! Quite obviously, blazers are making their way back to the front line again and aren’t just limited to the nine-to-fivers anymore. Blazers are another piece that are easy to find on both ends of the price spectrum as well, from designer all the way to thrifted; there is something for everyone if you're willing to search! If you’re still seeking some more ‘IRL’ inspiration, model Hailey Bieber makes many street style appearances sporting oversized blazers over dresses, skirts, or even jeans, for a more casual approach. Seen here, Hailey adds another staple piece we are seeing back on the runways as well: the loafer. If I could only have one shoe in my closet, it would be this (or a cowboy boot, but my admiration for Western-chic is a whole other story). Loafers and white socks have always been a timeless addition that elevate any outfit. Surprisingly, they go with almost anything, so don’t be afraid to occasionally switch out sneakers for loafers in your everyday closet.

Returning to those high end designers once again, Gucci and Prada make some of the most beautifully fashionable loafers in the industry today, and brought the classic work shoe back to the high-demand market. With loafers, the chunkier the better. A bigger shoe makes for a really unique silhouette, while the loafer still brings clean-cut classiness to this preppy style.

All in all, this classically clean style’s reawakening in the fashion world could not have been a greater gift to me. I’ve loved this style for a long time and have always found the timelessness of it to not only be stylish, but accessible and cost-efficient too. I really look forward to seeing the schoolgirl look take off this season, and hope to spot some folks out and about giving it their own unique spin, which is really what fashion is all about anyway. If you feel good, you look good.