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Like clockwork, back-to-school season has arrived—but this year, we’re giving the dependable basics a fashuun-forward refresh that makes returning to class feel a little more exciting.
Whether you’re heading back to campus to check off a few more credits or shopping for a little one in your life, we’ve made it easy to find standout pieces for first period, the library, and everywhere in between.
Our secret style weapon? Nike’s back-to-school section. It’s filled with casually cool staples that feel relaxed and effortless but never slouchy. With a few key pieces and clever styling tricks, anyone can make the best-dressed list.
Read on for the Refinery29 guide to mastering cool-kid back-to-school style with Nike.
The pleated miniskirt has evolved from a classroom classic into a modern wardrobe essential, thanks largely to its runway presence over the past few years. The key to making it feel current is pairing it with unexpected pieces—like a graphic long-sleeve tee, an oversized jacket, or statement shades. Finish with crew socks and sneakers for a look that nods to traditional school uniforms without feeling like a costume. The combination is polished enough for class but playful enough for whatever’s on the schedule afterward.
Comfort is key, but it doesn’t have to mean looking disheveled. The secret lies in choosing a thoughtful silhouette, like a slightly flared leg with artful draping that makes sweatpants feel intentional. Add a fitted baby tee or crisp button-down to balance the relaxed shape, then finish with streamlined sneakers and a structured tote. The result is comfortable enough for a full day of classes but polished enough for whatever comes afterward.
We briefly touched on head-turning sunglasses above, but they’re worthy of their own section, especially the larger-than-life silhouettes trending right now. They’re the quickest way to make a simple T-shirt-and-sweats combination look deliberately styled. Try a sporty wraparound pair for a futuristic edge, or reach for oversized aviators if you prefer something more classic. Either way, they’ll make the commute to those early-morning classes look significantly chicer, even when you’re still waking up.
On and off the field, sporty jerseys have become our shortcut to an instantly cool, casual look. Wear one oversized with biker shorts, tuck it into a pleated skirt, or layer it over a fitted long-sleeve tee when the temperature drops. You can even pair it with relaxed trousers for an unexpected high-low combination. The best part? Jerseys work across ages and dress codes, making them a win-win, even if you can’t name everyone on the team.
Backpacks will forever be synonymous with carrying textbooks, but the 2026 approach comes with more personality. Give a classic style an update with playful bag charms, or skip the backpack altogether for a roomy tote that speaks to your aesthetic. Just make sure your choice can accommodate the essentials: a laptop or tablet, water bottle, headphones, and whatever else the day demands. The coolest school bag is one that feels different from what everyone else is carrying without sacrificing the space and comfort you actually need.
The Hyped HoodieHoodies are forever, but a textured fleece version that comes in a dopamine-inducing color feels of the moment. The splash of color will bring all of your neutral closet essentials to life, whether it’s a pair of black sweatpants or a pair of jeans. In addition to the sartorial level-up, keep a fleece hoodie on deck for the classrooms that always have the air conditioning blasting.
The Spot-On SneakersWe can’t forget about the cool kicks. Right now, the fashion girlies are obsessing over animal print everything, including leopard-print sneakers. It doesn’t matter if you’re a diehard Air Force 1 fan or prefer the sporty versatility of a running shoe, adding a wild print is the quickest way to invigorate any back-to-school outfit. Imagine how chic these will look with your go-to polo shirt and khaki uniform skirt.
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As a beauty editor, I’m used to investing a lot of time in my getting-ready routine. But as a relative newcomer to the run community, I quickly learned that running a half marathon requires a whole different kind of getting-ready prep. For Lululemon’s SeaWheeze Half Marathon in the brand’s hometown of Vancouver, Canada, I had to think about everything from sweat-wicking fabrics and chafe-proof shorts to where I’d stash my gels, lip balm, and other race-day essentials. (And, naturally, I also wanted to look cute while doing it!)
Ahead, here’s the full ‘fit check of everything I wore before, during, and after 13.1 miles, from my pre-race 5K warm-up to the post-run massage.
The day before the half marathon, I joined the Lululemon team and fellow editors for a short-and-sweet 5K. I brought along my tried-and-true Energy Bra (Lululemon, please never discontinue this style!), which I love for its medium support and pretty, streamlined silhouette thanks to the thin straps. On top, I wore one of my many Swiftly Tech Short-Sleeve Shirts, a go-to for any sweaty activity thanks to its odor-resistant silver fibers and soft, airy fabric that moves with you.
I also opted for my new favorite running shorts, the Fast and Free Mid-Rise Split Short 3″. This reimagined take on a Lululemon classic features a new 360° waistband storage system (a huge deal when you’re running!) and an updated performance brief liner that is exceptionally comfortable. The shorts themselves are breezy and lightweight, while the petal-shaped side panels are actually very cute and flattering—a welcome bonus when you’re spending several miles in running gear.
Even though we were in beautiful Vancouver, PNW summer is still summer—which meant I was keeping my race-day kit light and breezy. The hero piece of my outfit was, without a doubt, the Fast and Free Short-Sleeve Shirt, which I wore in a brilliant Yves Klein blue. The fabric is the airiest, most breathable material I’ve ever felt, and it barely showed sweat even when I crossed the finish line. It’s also made with specialized, body-mapped zones of open-knit mesh (aka built-in AC) to ventilate your sweatiest areas—specifically, the back and sleeves. My bra of choice was the Nulux Strappy-Back Sports Bra, B/C Cup (which is currently part of Lululemon’s We Made Too Much section!), which offered medium support with plenty of breathability thanks to its strappy-back design.
My shorts of choice were the Shake It Out High-Rise Running Short, also in the same brilliant blue. I love high-rise, flowy shorts, and this one allowed for unrestricted movement in a flattering, tiered drape that looked so cute on. Maybe my millennial side is showing, but I personally love a high rise: I feel secure and held in, and I don’t have to worry about my waistband riding down while I’m going for a personal best. The shorts also have zippered side pockets, which let me keep a few extra gels on hand without adding bulk—aka potentially slowing me down.
In lieu of a running vest, I opted for the Fast and Free Running Belt, which comes in several fun colorways. (Mine is black, since it goes with everything.) Even though this is probably the slimmest running belt I’ve tried, it was stretchy enough to fit my iPhone 17 easily, along with my mini emotional-support lip balm and glitter shadow (you know, typical running essentials!). The waistband is adjustable, so you can get a snug fit across your hips without it feeling too tight, and it stayed secure without bouncing with every stride. I honestly loved it and am already debating getting another colorway for my next race.
Immediately following the race, I showered and changed into my cozy uniform—which was waiting for me on my hotel bed. (Thank you, Lululemon; you think of everything.) Up top was the French Terry Oversized Crew in an elevated neutral beige, which feels like a 2.0 version of the OG Perfectly Oversized Crewneck. I wore my heather gray Little Ribbed Tee underneath, which I’ve been wearing nonstop. It’s Lululemon’s take on a baby tee, but in a soft, ribbed fabric that looks just as good with denim as it does with a silk midi skirt.
And because I love a matching set, I paired my cozy ‘fit with the French Terry Mid-Rise Short 3.5″, which are made from the same sturdy, matte French terry fabric. Think of them as a fancy, decidedly-not-grubby pair of sweats that wouldn’t look out of place at a luxe hotel spa—which is, conveniently, where I wore them for a post-race massage.
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From leather sets and polka dots to knee-high boots and plushies, there are many motifs now synonymous with Katseye’s unique aesthetic. The K-Pop girl group has already gone through several “eras,” or musical chapters, in their two-year career so far. But there’s no doubt that the “Pinky Up” single and accompanying music video cemented their place in the industry as global pop stars, and helped make each member recognizable by her first name alone, à la Addison. To dig deeper into this era’s aesthetic, I spoke with Katseye’s stylist Katie Qian to discuss the members’ cohesive yet chaotic looks and offer tips for fans (AKA Eyekons) who want to dress like Katseye for concerts, festivals, and more.
“The fans are obviously super dedicated on another level, so it makes me really happy when they like the looks and when they’re happy,” Qian tells Refinery29, adding: “From a styling perspective, we usually just focus on doing something that the girls and creative team loves, so when that lands, it’s great that the looks resonate with the people who love Katseye.”
Sharing how the aesthetic differs from the darker, edgier “Gnarly” era, Qian explains: “It’s really just about being fun and whimsical. There’s a lot of motifs in all the looks, like polka dots, always. There’s a bunch of fun textures like tulle and feathers. There’s this bustle element that we’re always bringing in. And then this rave element too of fun, chaotic, maximal layering.” She adds: “The girls love corsets, the girls love bras, and they love to feel sexy and cute.”
For Eyekons to channel the “Pinky Up” aesthetic, Qian suggests: “Any sort of way that the fans can play with what they have in their closet, honestly. Throw unconventional combinations together; mix different textures; and play with a lot of layering, fun cutouts, and asymmetry.” For more inspo, she adds: “The color scheme is usually blues, pinks, pastels, and also bright colors. And always add a wacky fun accessory — something that’s kind of kitschy and out of the box.”
In addition to Qian’s insights, I also took notes from a superfan (AKA my younger sister Sofia) for a breakdown of each member’s signatures that distinguish them from one another, from their style preferences to their cultural influences. Ahead, take inspo from some of Katseye’s most iconic looks since being styled by Qian in late 2025 for The Beautiful Chaos Tour through today with the launch of their Wild EP and new era. Then, shop key styles to put together concert outfits for their performance at Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival on August 29 or their WildWorld Tour starting on September 1.
Lead-dancer Daniela Avanzini (22) comes from Atlanta, Georgia and embraces her Cuban and Venezuelan roots through her fashion and beauty choices. “I need to wear a cross, period. I feel like having a cross around my neck all the time… I feel protected. And it’s part of my childhood and my culture,” Daniela previously told Vogue in a Grammys getting-ready video, also citing seeing her mother wear hoops and reaching for them herself now. My sister also shares that she usually wears chunky sneakers paired with tiny tops and low-rise bottoms for a Y2K feel.
To channel Daniela, opt for edgy leather separates with lots of lace-up details, primary colors (if you’re not going for an all-black look), and chunky jewelry. She also predominantly opts for sets as opposed to bodysuits or dresses, so be sure to elevate your going-out bra top and hot pants game. For the final beauty touch, tightline your eyes with an intense inner eye and wear your hair curly or naturally.
Yoonchae Jeung (18) serves as Katseye’s “maknae” or youngest member and comes from Seoul, South Korea, making her the only Korean in the K-Pop group. As the baby, she’s often dressed very cutesy, though has hints of a cool “tomboy” style. She told Vogue: “In the ‘Touch’ music video, I was wearing a triangle top and it became my thing,” with her styling team saying that fans always notice triangles on the torso of her outfits, which help give the illusion of an hourglass figure.
To get Yoonchae’s look, consider wearing scarf tops or voluminous mini skirts for an exaggerated hourglass silhouette. She’s often dressed in softer silhouettes, materials, and colors too, so opt for tulle, lace, and pinks when possible. To distinguish herself from her group members, Yoonchae also dyed her hair blonde for an extra light and soft beauty effect. So this may be your call to try the strawberry blonde hair color trend ASAP.
Main vocalist Lara Raj (20) was born in Connecticut but grew up in Texas and is of Indian and Sri Lankan descent. She brings her cultural identity into her style most prominently through jewelry via her bindis and tikkas, nose ring, and belly ring. “I make sure to go all out with my traditional stuff because it’s so important in that space where there’s so much press and so many photos and so many eyes on us to really represent my culture,” Lara told Vogue. The singer also notably wears many jewel tones and shimmering fabrics to complement her adornments.
Lara sticks to a few core necklines, like halters and sweetheart bra-cups across tops, bodysuits, and gowns, which highlight her chest tattoo. For accessories, if you’re not South Asian, a bindi or tikka may not be doable, but you can still implement crystal hair clips or face gems into your look instead. My sister also pointed out that the singer almost exclusively wears heels, so find a comfortable pair that you can dance the night away in.
All-rounder Megan Skiendiel (20) who has great range across singing and dancing also has the greatest range in style (and changing hairstyles). Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, and of Chinese, Singaporean, and Swedish heritage, Megan has an equally varied approach to style. But she told Vogue: “For me, I usually wear my jade bracelet. I never take it off. I’ve had one since I was a kid so it’s a very big thing in Chinese culture.”
While Megan’s aesthetic evolves, she pretty consistently has the most alternative or edgy look, opting for dark eye makeup and hair highlights (including the viral “halo” hair trend). To channel Megan, keep to a color palette of black, white, purples, and reds. And in addition to a jade bracelet, you can also look out for a statement choker necklace, especially when paired with a bandeau-style neckline. Do something wild to your hair, and you’re set.
As Katseye’s fan-dubbed leader, Sophia Laforteza (23) was raised in Manila, Philippines. While she’s currently on a wellness hiatus, she’s expected to return in September with more “Wild” era looks. As one of the oldest members of the group, my sister lovingly calls her “Mother,” and explains that Sophia’s style is a bit more sophisticated, polished, and modest at times. Pulling from coquette style, she typically wears lots of ruffles, rosettes, corsets, bloomers, and tulle.
Sophia also often wears halter crop tops across performance costumes and red carpet looks, so consider a halter for casual or fancy ‘fits. Amp up the volume with ruffle-sleeved tops or high-low skirts in pastels or vibrant pinks. Like Lara, Sophia typically prefers sleek heels instead of sneakers or boots, so step into pointy stilettos. And to finish off your look, layer on a juicy pink lip gloss before singing your heart out.
Manon Bannerman (24), often described by fans as the group’s “visual,” has been on hiatus since February, but her signature aesthetic remains influential among Eyekons. Coming from Switzerland with a multicultural background, she pulls from her Ghanaian roots when it comes to fashion. “I always carry my waist beads with me. I got them in Ghana. It’s just a traditional thing we do in West Africa,” Manon told Vogue, adding: “They’re always on. Sometimes they’re hidden, but they’re like my lucky charm.”
Since we haven’t seen Manon’s take on the “Pinky Up” era, her style within the group is defined by the “Gnarly” era, where she leaned into darker palettes, metallics, lace-up corsets, chunky sneakers, and combat boots. Her ’90s minimalist look is paired back from too many accessories or jewelry — though you can try a waist chain — and is instead highlighted by her dramatic curly hair as the focal point.
Learn all about the inspiration behind Katseye’s “Pinky Up” era and aesthetic from the K-Pop group’s stylist here!
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If your feed looks anything like mine, you might have noticed that there’s a new Lululemon drop causing a lot of commotion. No, it’s not another pair of leggings or an unexpected maxi skirt. This time it’s a Big-Ass carryall. That’s not me exaggerating the gargantuan measurements. That’s the actual name of the ludicrously capacious bag.
The banter online is hilarious, with some calling it the everything-AND-the-kitchen-sink bag. But seriously, as a person who hates going back and forth to the car after a grocery store run, this is the brilliant solution for lugging everything at once.
One review agrees, “This bag fits everything my family of 5 needs when traveling. My husband no longer complains about making multiple trips, carrying several bags.” While another one says, “Just throw this bad boy in the shopping cart, leave it open, and shop away! Makes Costco runs a breeze. Kinda wish it was bigger… although now I’m not sure how to get this 400 lbs bag into my car while I stand here in the parking lot… oh well! Lulu will you offer bigger sizes in the future? Thx.” Outside of the functional use cases, fashion has been pushing oversized bags to the forefront of the accessory department for a couple of seasons now.
Just look at Chanel’s Resort 2027 collection and you’ll find a colorful raffia tote that’s nearly the same size as the model carrying it. The intentionally exaggerated proportions were also seen at Altuzarra, Celine, and Stella McCartney—each one proving that it’s kinda chic to be a woman on the go carrying it all.
Of course, this isn’t Lululemon’s only bag that’s causing a frenzy. The girlies have been loving the wear-everywhere belt bags and adorable wristlets for years.
If you’re not quite ready for the 80L Big-Ass bag, Lululemon has some scaled-back versions that aren’t too big nor too small—like the Extra-Large and the Large Slouchy Shoulder Bag. Both of those styles are also perfect for days when you need to tote the necessities, while still ensuring you don’t overpack. Consider this your sign to add one of the durable, much-talked about bags to your collection.
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