Back to School Essentials for Girls in 2025

School is back in session, and you know what that means, It’s time to refresh your wardrobe, update your makeup bag, and pick up a few must-haves that will make your school days a lot easier (and adorable). Whether you’re returning to high school, beginning a brand new semester in college, or need that “put together but effortless” look, the right essentials make all the difference.

I’ve gathered 15 absolute essentials every girl needs for the new school year. Think layerable tanks you can wear a million ways, the coziest jeans that remain stylish, go with everything jewellery that easily takes any outfit to the next level, and beauty essentials that will keep you fresh from morning classes to after school activities. The beauty of it all? Everything is practical, affordable, and easy to wear, so you can feel confident without overanalysing your outfits.

👗Clothes – Your Everyday Outfit Heroes

1. Black Tank – Shop Here

Your layering MVP has arrived, the one shirt that’s always ready to come through whether it’s hot outside or not. During the scorching summers, it’s chic, breezy, and goes perfectly with black shorts, denim skirts, or your favourite blue jeans. As autumn sets in, it makes a great base under flannel shirts, hoodies, cardigans, leather jackets, or your favourite oversized coat that you can’t get enough of.

2. White Tank – Shop Here

If the black tank is your rough around the edges BFF, the white tank is your crisp, traditional bestie who never fails to put a look together. It’s bright, it’s fresh, and essentially yells “Pinterest style”. Dress it with darker pants for contrast, pair it under a pleated skirt for preppy dress, or wear it under an open button down for laid back chic. White tanks have a tendency to make everything else you’re wearing seem elevated even your coziest sweatpants suddenly seem deliberate.

3. Black Full Sleeve Shirt – Shop Here

This is the chic older brother to your tanks, serene, refined, and always prepared for center stage. This long-sleeve black is ideal for one of those “I need to look like I tried” days and not, well, actually trying. Put it into high-waisted jeans for a fresh casual look, layer under a vest for a streetwear vibe, or pair with trousers and gold hoops for immediate CEO vibes. 

4. White Short Sleeve Shirt – Shop Here

This is the clean slate your closet can’t do without. A quality white tee can get you from lazy Sunday coffee errands to dressed-up presentation days with a simple swap of accessories. Dress it up with statement earrings, layer it under a strappy dress for that Y2K moment, or keep it sporty with biker shorts and sneakers. White not only brightens your outfit, it gives it that “freshly thought-out” energy even when you’re just grabbing whatever’s clean. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest pieces are the most powerful.

5. Grey Zip-Up Hoodie – Shop Here

If comfort had a style icon, it would be this hoodie. Grey is the ultimate neutral, it works with everything from your favourite jeans to your brightest statement pants. Perfect for early morning classes, study sessions in freezing lecture halls, or tossing over your gym outfit when you’re running errands. This is the sort of piece you find yourself wearing so frequently, you’ll be asking yourself how you got by without it.

👖Denim – The Backbone of Your Outfits

6. Black Baggy Jeans – Shop Here

Baggy jeans = automatic cool. They’re as comfortable as sweatpants but so much cooler, and they provide that relaxed streetwear look without overdoing it. And black covers stains (hi coffee lovers) and goes with absolutely everything. Dress them up with a blazer for presentations or top them with a hoodie for those “I rolled out of bed but somehow still managed to look okay” days. A true year round staple.

7. Jean Shorts – Shop Here

When it’s still warm at the beginning of school, shorts are a godsend. These blue ones are so adorable, casual, and great for sporty or girly outfits depending on how you dress them up. Pair them with sneakers and a tee for gym days or layer with a cute cardigan for daily excursions. And they’re comfortable enough for lounging around but stylish enough for Instagram!

8. Blue Wide Leg Jeans – Shop Here

Wide leg jeans are on trend and staying. They’re complimentary, cozy, and bring about that Pinterest girl flowy figure to your wardrobe. Pair them with a fitted tee to wear in balance or totally oversized for an effortless, cool girl look. They’re ideal to tuck into oversized sweaters during winter or pair with crop tops during spring.

💍Jewellery – Small Details, Big Difference

9. Gold Watch – Shop Here

This is more than an accessory. It’s a watch that makes you look put together, fashionable, and like you absolutely know what you’re doing (even if you don’t). A gold watch isn’t just for telling time. It’s a statement piece that instantly elevates your look.

10. Chunky Gold Hoops – Shop Here

These are your go to “glow up” earrings. Slap them on, and suddenly your hoodie and jeans combo is on purpose and cool. They’re lightweight enough for all day wear, won’t tug on your ears they look good with every hairstyle, whether it’s a sleek ponytail, messy bun, or loose waves.

💄Beauty – For That Polished Finish

11. NYX fat lip oil – Shop Here

This lip oil is not merely a gloss, it’s the entire “I got 8 hours of sleep” energy in a tube. The FAT applicator wraps around every contour of your pout for easy colour and shine in one swipe. Vegan, cruelty free, and under $10 and this lip drip is the budget beauty MVP you didn’t know you needed.

12. Essence Mascara – Shop Here

If there’s one makeup product that can wake up your entire face, it’s mascara and this one is legendary for a reason. Bonus: it’s all day wear, so no raccoon eyes at lunchtime. Even if you ditch the rest of your makeup, a coat or two of this mascara will make you appear as though you slept all night (even if you didn’t).

👜 Other Essentials – Functional but Make It Adorable

13. HydroJug – Shop Here

Your brain functions more efficiently when you’re hydrated, science supports this fact. This trendy water bottle keeps your beverage cold throughout the day and is large enough that you’re not making a dash to refill during classes.

14. Black jansport Backpack – Shop Here

The forever classic you just can’t mess up. A black Jansport backpack is elegant, ageless, and durable enough to survive your most hectic school days. The spacious main compartment holds your laptop, textbooks, and all your daily essentials, while the front pocket stores your small stuff within easy reach. It’s durable but lightweight, so it’s the ultimate combination of function and fashion. And if you don’t dig black, Jansport has a million cool colours and prints available so you can express yourself without compromising on durability.

👟Shoes – The Outfit Anchors

15. White Sneakers – Shop Here

White sneakers are the ultimate back to school cheat code. They blend in with every outfit but still stand out in the best way whether you’re rocking a pleated skirt, oversized hoodie, wide leg jeans, or even a dress. They make casual days look intentional and instantly elevate your whole vibe without sacrificing comfort (a lifesaver for those days you’re sprinting across campus).

✨Big Sis Tip:

These aren’t just “stuff to buy”. They are sneaky little confidence boosters. The right fundamentals make dressing so much simpler, and that simplicity manifests in the manner in which you present yourself. When your closet is filled with staples that coordinate well with each other, you can wake up from bed, just throw an outfit together in 5 minutes, and still look as if you spent hours orchestrating it. No more gazing at your clothes in a morning panic or being “meh” about what you’re wearing. You’ll wake up feeling put together, comfortable, and completely you and that’s the true Back To School power move!!

Want more outfit ideas? Check out my guide on 5 Back To School Outfits That Are Comfy and Cute. They go great with these essentials and will make your mornings even simpler.