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5 essential building blocks of your back-to-school wardrobe

A great back-to-school outfit all about mixing comfort with style, confidence and silhouettes you’ll actually want to wear all day

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A great back-to-school outfit is all about mixing comfort with style, confidence and silhouettes you’ll actually want to wear all day, on repeat. It requires a go-to base that will work as hard as you do, as well as smart accessories and shoes that are both cool and wearable. Basically, the key is pieces that are functional yet chic, and that will move seamlessly from morning classes to the after-school runaround. Rebecca Tay presents five building blocks of your new-school-year wardrobe.

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Aritzia Wilfred Josephine UnReal leather bomber, $248 at Aritzia, aritzia.com. Handout/ (single use)

Aritzia Wilfred Josephine Unreal Leather bomber jacket

Is there anything more versatile than a bomber jacket? This all-weather all-rounder is a true sporty-yet-polished fashion chameleon — equally at home over a slip dress and ankle boots as it is with jeans and sneakers. Opt for a glossy black leather one or a synthetic leather version like this Josephine style, which comes in four hues, including on-trend, rich maroon.

Aritzia, aritzia.com | $248

Twik bow-leg jean, $69 at Simons, simons.ca. Handout/ (single use)

Simons Twik bow-leg jeans

If you haven’t yet introduced a pair of barrel-leg jeans to your wardrobe, now is the time to do it. Fresh yet relaxed, with a sculpted, comfortable shape, this “Texas”-fit pair by Twik is a great, modern twist on everyday denim and definitely deserves a place in your daily or weekly rotation, whether you lean toward crisp blazers or slouchy tees and sweatshirts on top.

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Simons, simons.ca | $69

Erilg low-top sneaker in taupe, $90 at Aldo, aldoshoes.com. Handout/ (single use)

Aldo Shoes Erilg low-top sneakers

Heard the news? Chunky sneakers are slowly being replaced — or at least losing their dominance — as the sporty shoe silhouette anyone worth their fashion salt wants to wear. Stepping into the spotlight instead are more slim-lined, low-profile styles such as this Erilg low-top pair. Is it a continuation of summer’s streamlined shoe trend (flip flops, we’re looking at you) or a backlash against the years-long pervasiveness of the dad sneaker? It’s probably a bit of both — and we’re into it.

Aldo Shoes, aldoshoes.com | $90

Boyfriend tee, $36.95 at Garage, garageclothing.com. Handout/ (single use)

Garage Clothing boyfriend tee

Logo tees aren’t going anywhere, and neither are band and graphic tees. Basically, if it’s slightly oversized, has a cool illustration or visual of some kind on it, and looks fab tucked into jeans or a skirt and peeking out from under a bomber jacket, it’s worth a spot in your wardrobe. This easy-to-wear, easy-to-style heather grey version features a “cherry on top” motif — writ in large, with a martini glass on the back, and in miniature on the front — so you can make a statement whichever way you’re facing.

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Garage, garageclothing.com | $36.95

Nova 18L backpack in violet quartz, $95 at Herschel, herschel.ca. Handout/ (single use)

Herschel Nova 18L backpack in violet quartz

New school year, new school supplies. Even if you’re no longer putting pen to paper, you still need a stylish new carryall for all your essentials: laptop, reusable water bottle or keep cup, wallet, keys. This Nova 18L style by Vancouver’s Herschel is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and has a chic, minimalist esthetic, but lots of handy organizers inside, including a padded sleeve to keep your computer safely stored in place and a key clip.

Herschel, herschel.ca | $95

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