Back-to-school season is a magical time for us here at Levi’s® because it gives us the rare opportunity to help you reinvent, redefine and express your unique style. Whether you’re certain of your vibe and want to come back strong, or you’re experimenting with something new, we’re here to help you find the clothes you need to showcase your true self. Ok, now the fun part. Whatever your style, there are a few key staples we’re really enthusiastic about for this coming year. We love the idea of using these essentials as the prerequisite for your outfit, then adding your special touch to really make it your own. So, like, using the 501® as your jumping-off point and adding a top that’s totally you plus fun accessories to complete the look. Now, without further ado, here are our recommendations for essential back-to-school styles for 2022. There will be a quiz at the end so pay attention ;).
A GOOD PAIR OF JEANS
From a Levi’s® perspective, this one’s a complete no-brainer. Pick a go-to style like the 501® to keep things really really classic, or switch it up with something a little trendier like the XL Flood or the Baggy Dad for women and the 501® 93 for men. What’s really important here is the fit. The better your jeans fit, the more confident you’ll feel. The more confident you feel, the better you can express yourself with the rest of your outfit.
A CLASSIC BUTTON-DOWN
This is very academic of us, but we’re very into a classic button-down this season. We love that it’s equally at home tucked neatly into a waistband as worn open over a tank or tee. For women, we’re loving the oversized flowing look as a throw-and-go jacket of sorts. For the guys, we’re seeing workwear materials like corduroy adding a rugged edge. The best part? You can easily pair this basic with bold bottoms and expressive accessories to make it work for you.
SOME SHORTS
People forget that when school starts it can still be hot out. Like, really hot out. So jeans aren’t always gonna cut it. Sometimes you want something a little breezier to kick off your year. Enter: shorts. Cropped cuts keep you cool while classic materials and fits feel familiar enough to style however you’d like. We love a denim short like a 501® as a stand-in for jeans. Just style them as you normally would the full-length version with tops and accessories to match your style.
We hate to tell you, but your mom is always right when she tells you to grab a jacket before you go. Our philosophy, though, is if you’re gonna make her happy by grabbing one you might as well make yourself happy by grabbing a good one. That’s why we’re recommending (drumroll please…) the Trucker. It’s our OG jacket so it brings all sorts of classic vibes, but it also comes in different variations to match your unique style. Opt for oversized to add a modern touch to any outfit or go for the original to keep things ultra classic.
EASY TEES
No casual wardrobe is complete without a couple of t-shirts. Layer them under a jacket or button-down or wear them on their own with a good pair of jeans–any way you choose to wear them, t-shirts will not let you down. This season, we’re loving the ’90s-inspired baby silhouette for women, and bold colorful graphics for men including tie-dye and stripes. Whatever your style, we’ve got the t-shirt for you.
SOMETHING COMFY
While all these picks are well and good, we all know there are gonna be times when you just want to wear the most comfortable thing possible. So this list would be absolutely incomplete without a sweat set. We highly recommend a matching set because–even though you’re truly wearing what are basically pajamas–you can still look put together thanks to the head-to-toe color match. Go wild with a bold color like lime, or keep it neutral with a beige pick.
CAP IT OFF
As we like to say, be wise, and accessorize. No outfit would be complete without that little something extra to really take the look to the next level. And when it comes to must-have accessories, a good baseball cap tops the list. This school year, we’re wearing these sporty hats with anything and everything. Pop one on with an easy tee to add a varsity edge or dress down a polished button-down with this casual cap.
And there you have it. Our key staples of the season are yours to style any way you choose. Just pick your favorite and get creating. Want to see more? Shop our full-on back-to-school assortment complete with key staples and statement-makers alike.