BY Julia DeGregorio
Magazine Editor

Former Catholic school students may cringe when they see plaid skirts and knee high socks, but here at Baldwin, school uniform inspired outfits, known as “schoolgirl chic”, are the newest trend for the upcoming fall and winter months.

Students can add a bit of schoolgirl chic to their wardrobe by incorporating staples such as oxford shoes and neutral toned cardigans. Pieces such as these are can be easily integrated into any outfit to add a bit more sophistication to any ensemble without looking as though you have “tried too hard”.

Oxfords, for example, add a polished quality to any outfit, whether it be dressy or casual. They can be paired with a simple jeans and tee shirt outfit or elevated with a dress and tights. Oxford shoes also have the comfort and versatility of sneakers, yet they are significantly classier.

Cardigans are a necessity as the temperature drops and the fall and winter months approach. Therefore, a preppy, school uniform inspired style is highly practical for the colder months. Layering with cardigans and tights are classic uniform staples reinvented for a public school setting.

Probably the most ubiquitous item of the schoolgirl trend is the peter pan collar. Versatile as well as flatteringly feminine, this style of collar adds an air of Alexa Chung-esque schoolgirl chic to any outfit.

Many students have also been wearing knee high socks in a variety of colors and patterns with dresses and skirts. Knee high socks also provide a solid dose of practicality as well as style since they are typically thick knit, making them ideal for the colder months. Paired with boots or oxfords, knee high socks also nod to many student’s Catholic school past.

Typical school uniform shades such as maroon, grey, navy and mustard yellow have also begun to pop up in student’s wardrobes, mainly in the form of cardigans and thick knitted sweaters. The reversibility of these hues makes them universally flattering on any skin tone and hair color. These flattering shades are also highly complementary of each other and can be easily mixed and matched.

Plaid, while a subtle nod the movie Clueless and our mascot, is also a schoolgirl staple that has come back from many student’s grade school pasts. Mainly in the form of plaid flannel shirts and pleated skirts, plaids provide a wearable dose of uniform chic that complements the colder months.

This trend is not limited to girls either. In a more subtle way compared to the female trends, many boys have abandoned the typical Nike sneakers and replaced them with something classier such as Sperry’s or oxfords. Furthermore, some have replaced tee shirts with button down shirts in a variety of colors and patterns and substituted boring hoodies for a more polished cardigan.