sweater  |  jeans  |  boots  |  necklace  |  dress  |  coat  |  glasses

It looks as though this September is going to be the last back to school of my life. With just one year of my graphic design program left, I have one more chance to rationalize a back-to-school shopping trip to make me look seriously fly on my first day of class. First impressions are everything. We learned this in elementary school with Hypercolor t-shirts, did we not?

As a soon-to-be graphic designer, I need my clothes to make me look hip (not to be confused with hip-ster) and like someone who knows something about good design. At the same time, I am working on paring down my wardrobe and investing in key pieces that are going to last. All of that means that I am saying goodbye to Forever 21 and hello to more nicer labels that cost a bit more but have closet longevity. Despite what they say, you can't actually dress like you're 21 forever.

This fall, I'm taking a serious look at filling my closet with chunky sweaters, high-waisted flare jeans (NEED), a pair of Frye boots, quirky jewelry, new specs, a long coat to keep my buns + legs warm when the cool Wisconsin weather hits and a mustard yellow dress. Because if you know me at all whatsoever, you know that mustard yellow is my signature color.

Now, if only my mom + dad would still pay for my 28-year-old back-to-school shopping spree, I might actually be able to buy some of this. Instead, I'm going to have to to pull out my old Hypercolor t-shirt for the first day of class after all.