8-23-2026 MY INSPO: back-to-school according to the re-runs

it’s back to school season, and while this life chapter has long ended for me, the nostalgia is there. with the temperatures dropping ever slow slightly from humid and gross 90s to delightful mid-70s and cool evenings, it seems there’s more kids out than all summer long. not only do the temps contribute to this, but it seems like the kids are excited to socialize now that school is back in. i see them walking in packs, preteens running and training in parks, the roads are saturated by the busses and traffic… the small towns seem alive again?! 

here in the midwest, in the usa in general - the ‘highs and lows of high school’ are almost ritualistic and sacred. football games, proms, and the emotions of teenagerhood that always seem larger than life. i almost (key word - almost) envy the back-to-school vibe. i loved exchanging summer stories full of adventure. my highlights were usually getting a bunch of clothes from america that no one has seen before - sparkly peace sign embellished tops from justice, or later on skater skirts from forever 21. it was exciting seeing besties and crushes, and school felt a breeze as there really wasn’t much homework. 

teens these days are romanticizing my own days of yore (my tween years of 2012 or teenage peak of 2016) and i often get reminded of these small memories. and you know me, i’m a sucker for nostalgia?! the american teen girl is playing a huge part in this week’s inspo - if you’re in need for back-to-school fits, take it from the heroines of the teen shows we obsessed over. 

one thing that these girls mostly have in common is layering. and each of them needs their signature jacket - a cardi, bolero, and often a fitted cropped leather jacket. our fave main characters have their array of sentimental jewelry, friendship bracelets, vervain necklaces gifted by their vamp boyfriend, an heirloom ring… without these, each character may lose a sense of individuality. here's fits inspired by various teen show characters. disclaimer - these may not be fully appropriate for a back-to-school look, so don't blame me if you get dress-coded!

gossip girl

blair was very committed to a specific uniform, beside the usual school uniform the characters were obligated to wear in school in the show.
to achieve a blair waldorf school look, tapping into your winner wasp, your jackie o in the white house is crucial.
i chose a black and pink skirt set and a very feminine sweater with ribbed tights to match.
bcbg pumps that would pass better at the club rather than through school halls, pearls and a mandatory headband.

blair waldorf

the icon of gossip girl, serena van der woodsen, always dressed effortlessly undone.
her messy hair, boho chic with edge. the costume team made sure serena is the free wild child beside a controlling blair.
for a serena look, i chose a strapless tan dress, leather boots, and an abstract print silk scarf. 
leather vintage jacket and a huge gold statement necklace, alongside gold metallic hobo bag.

serena van der woodsen

our grungy it-girl is one of my fave gossip girl fit inspirations. 
there are many layers of jenny humphrey, and right now i am not referring to season 1 little jenny, but rather our edgy rebel jenny that wreaks havoc on the upper east side. 
for a jenny look, i chose a vera wang distressed grey top, black jorts, fishnet tights, doc martens, and a burgundy poncho, with statement metallic ring, black tie, and black leather bag

jenny humphrey

vanessa abrams is very different book vs show.
vanessa was a true boho chic girl, so to style a look that would match her vibe, i chose this leopard print top alongside dark jean jacket, linen brown pants with beaded belt, patchwork tote made by sib, bracelets galore, and these gianni bini wedges. 

vanessa abrams

teen wolf

allison argent's looks were a perfect mix of femininity with lace tops, miniskirts, and a fragile appearance - while also kicking butt and hunting werewolves. 
this fall, mixing extreme femininity with heftier materials such as leather or metal is a great way to achieve an allison vibe. 
i paired a floral top with lace, black tights and mini skirt, with brown leather boots, knit scarf, leather jacket and leather blazer.

allison argent

while her bestie was subtler and more huntress-like, lydia martin had an "elle woods" air to her, sans all the pink. 
lydia does not shy from colors or heels, and a signature red lip matches every fit. 
i chose a pretty blue dress with white boots that feel perfect for ice skating, and a green knit hat. 
black leather tote bag and a crystal necklace, and a tan cardigan.

lydia martin

pretty little liars

in the pll group, emily fields is the sportiest, often rocking polos and sporty jackets.
for her, i would style this tory burch striped polo and a denim midi skirt, boots, and a plaid coach bag. don't forget the friendship bracelets and headphones while walking past allison's old house...

emily fields

while aria montgomery isn't really my fave character in the pll series, her fits are possibly my fave.
i love when she pairs dainty dresses and skirts with chunky moto boots.
i like the teen edginess expressed in pink highlights, chunky leather bracelets with gromets, or even just black nail polish. 
i chose a very feminine yet simple, poofy sleeve babydoll dress, and paired with my fave moto boots, oversized army jacket, some necklaces (peep the a necklace), and a leather bag.

aria montgomery

similar to blair waldorf, spencer hastings dressed in particular uniform.
preppier than her friend group, spencer rocked blazers, peacoats, and professionalism to a further level (than most highschoolers?).
i chose a pop of color, with a uniform-like red tartan skirt, and a matching beret, brown leather block heel boots, black levi's turtleneck, coat, laptop bag, and some chanel jewelry.

spencer hastings

hanna marin brought us the last glimpse of the noughties with that mean girl, spoiled brat attitude. 
i chose this layered top and a statement necklace, with a patterned black and white skirt, pops of pink in the wedges and purse, and giant chanel sunnies and cropped leather jacket. 

hanna marin

the vampire diaries

the looks of early season elena gilbert match what most teens in the 2010s wore. layered tanks under knit tops, skinny jeans, and the unforgettable cropped jackets. 
elena's looks are most high school-realistic fits in comparison to most heroines mentioned here.
i chose ralph lauren jeans, a butter yellow lacey tank under an old navy ribbed top, converse, and a coach bag, a rose necklace (in lieu of the vervain necklace), and a suede cropped jacket.

elena gilbert

love her or hate her, caroline forbes brought fashion to mystic falls. 
i love her fun, occasionally experimental looks. i chose a mauve dress, paired with a sparkly denim jacket, kate spade hobo bag, and ralph lauren leather pumps. 
don't forget the chiffon scarf to hide damon salvatore's vampire bites!

caroline forbes

bonnie bennett was my all-time fave in the vampire diaries series. 
her outfits are witchy, boho chic.
i chose skinny jeans and a vintage corset-like top from sib, suede ankle boots and cream bolero.
for purse, i added this metal clutch with gemstones on it, witchy, right?
to be hip with the times, i also added a skinny brown scarf.

bonnie bennett