Outfit: American Eagle boyfriend cardigan and tote bag ⁄ Topshop blouse ⁄ Loft jeans (on sale!) ⁄ Converse slip-ons ⁄ Ray-Ban aviators ⁄ Revlon Balm Stain ‘Honey’
Jewelry: Baublebar horn earrings ⁄ David Yurman and Kendra Scott rings
“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” I love this quote so much, and with fall right around the corner, it couldn’t be more true. The beginning of fall brings about a lot of different emotions for me. To be honest, I stay away from Facebook this time of year because I still feel a slight pang of jealousy when I see students starting their first year or going back to my alma mater, Presbyterian College. You may be thinking, “Okay Jenna, get over it” but let me explain. I graduated in 2013, and didn’t truly have a sense of real life outside of academics until the following year, after I finished graduate school. So in a way, September will forever feel like a special month for me. A new year, new goals, and lots of new adventures.
When I think back on my time in college, I always laugh when I recall how my wardrobe changed over those four years. In the beginning there was obviously more pressure to dress well because we were making new friends, meeting our classmates and professors, and constantly under watch by sorority women. Fast forward three years, and I was wearing Nike running shorts, t-shirts and Chacos to class every single day. By senior year it was clearly more about comfort! Once I graduated and went on to get my MBA, it was right back to “dress to impress” mode. But with a demanding schedule and LOTS of walking around the city, I wanted to look polished but comfortable. I wore a lot of outfits like this. Simple jeans, a nice blouse, loose cardigans, and flat, comfortable shoes – always carrying a change of heels of course! I absolutely love this American Eagle boyfriend cardigan and tote bag. This is such a flashback to high school for me, and they’re really making a comeback! The cardigan is super comfy and the tote will carry a laptop, notebooks, iPads, cameras, etc. I’ll definitely use this throughout the year and also as a carry-on to NYFW in September.
I’ve linked a few more of my back to school favorites below, including this versatile shift dress under $70, this pair of booties under $100, and this oversized scarf.
xo Jenna
