It's back to school, and that means revisiting an accessory that traditionally does not have much fashion cachet: the backpack. I view it as a necessary evil. I've dabbled with cute bookbags and totes, but when it comes to lugging my various pieces of academic equipment around (and I've never been one to pack light), the only way to really get the job done is by strapping a glorified sack onto my body. However, much to my surprise, the rarefied world of high fashion is starting to embrace this most utilitarian of objects. Of course, once the price of backpacks starts exceeding the cost of a new laptop, practical value is pretty much out the window, but it is fun to look at some of the most outrageous and decadent bags available while I hunt down the tattered denim satchel I took to summer camp.

Leopard-Print Suede Backpack, net-a-porter.com, $1,650

Undoubtedly the top of the line on backpacks. I tell myself that this beauty and I wouldn't be happy together anyway, as it would probably object to being stuffed with papers and inevitably stained by Wite-Out and highlighter ink. As true as my love is, I couldn't keep this bag in the lifestyle to which it has been accustomed. Henceforth, I shall refer to it as the Bag that Got Away.

Leather print backpack, asos.com, $119

This backpack is produced by a London-based company, and it definitely has that urban, punky-hipster edge. It evokes street art with its depictions of skyscrapers, boldly slashed slogans, and chaotic lines. White leather, again, is perhaps not the most pragmatic option, but I love the eye-catching monochromatic design; it has the air of a noir cartoon.

Snake Print Bomber Backpack, luisaviaroma.com, $513

Absolutely beautiful, and a work of art. Sleek, timeless, but a little badass. This bag also comes in black and mint, but the former is too neutral for my tastes and the latter is not as elegant as the navy. For a fashionista who is dedicated enough to spend top dollar, this is the backpack worth the investment.

I know I am late! Most people have started their classes/internships/new jobs and have already had the long discussion of what to wear and what is in style. So my next question/piece of advice is what will continue to be in style after the excitement of a new beginning wears off? Below I've given my suggestions, but I want to know what you think?

What did you wear for back to school?

What is a trend that you think will last beyond this semester?

Just saw someone on campus wearing a similar outfit.
Essentials to take away:
Colored top
Printed bottom
Perfect for class and job/internship

The hobo chic style (which I love and try to emulate.)
Essentials:
Flow-y skirt, usually print
Button up shirt, blue is a popular choice these days
Perfect for class not so much for job/internship. But for a casual date with that cute boy from bio -- this is perfect!

Essentials:
Bold print bottoms -- LOVE this style and hopes it never ends, but someday (probably soon) someone will pair them with a disastrous top and just ruin the trend....i.e. a newbie college student testing their freedom.
Perfect for class and going out, nothing else though.

All images courtesy: Tumblr

And of course, there are always accessories. These watches are literally the "IT" factor.
Also bold colors are extremely popular.
Can dress up and down anywhere and anytime!

So which of these trends do I think will last beyond this semester?
Only time will tell. I, however, have been wearing my own version of all these outfits for school. :)

Give me your opinion!

It’s about that time of the year again! The flip flops are put to rest, the bathing suits are hung up to dry, and our favorite beach bags are replaced with the backpacks we discarded in early June. The summer has sadly come to an end and back to school we go! Although a gloomy, heartbreaking inevitable point in our lives, what brings me elation after the cheerless realization of entering the new school year packed with thousand page textbooks, endless studying, and inevitable stressing is the back-to-school fashion! My absolute FAVORITE part of the year is back-to-school shopping and although it signals the much dire time of heading back to school in the near fall, it brings me joy to sport the new fashions that make heading to school that much better. Whether you’re heading back to high school or college in the fall, here are some of my must have back to school fashions guaranteed to excite you for the upcoming school year!

Ankle Boots:

Dolce Vita Joust Suede Ankle Boot, urbanoutfitters.com, $129

Printed Pants:

Photo Opulence Floral Print Cropped Pants, lulus.com, $42

Insight Beanpole Jacquard Mid-Rise Skinny Pants, lulus.com, $94

Tye-dye Denim, forever21.com, $27.80

Peplum:

Pins and Needles Peplum Top, urbanoutfitters.com, $34

Peplum Waist Dress, forever21.com, $14.50

Printed Backpacks:

Mossimo Supply Co. Neon Aztec Backpack, target.com, $29.99

Mossimo Supply Co. Tapestry Print Backpack, target.com, $29.99

High Low:

Smooth Move Sheer High-Low Wine Red Top, lulus.com, $29

Fall for It High-Low Brown Skirt, lulus.com, $35

Boxy Jacket:

Boxy Bouclé Tweed Jacket, forever 21.com, $27.80

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but we all know how untrue this is in our sartorial pursuits. However, a little inspiration isn't exactly cheating and all of the great trends popping up around campus are hard to ignore. I go to the University of New Hampshire and at my campus, like many others, comfort is essential in a student's wardrobe. Everyone has the early morning uniform that they could put on in the dark (i.e. generally formless, colorless, I-hope-I-don't-see-the-cute-guy-from-class outfit). But those days that you do put in the extra effort to get out of that rut you generally feel better, so go ahead and look to your well-dressed peers for a little fashion ingenuity.

With winter moving into spring it can be hard to find clothes that seamlessly transition from colder to warmer weather. But trust me, if you shop your closet you'll find things that you normally wouldn't think to wear together or maybe thought they weren't suited for spring weather. Here are some great examples of transitional outfits from students on my campus.

Pairing a heavier cardigan with a spring dress is a great way to layer without being too bundled up. A great way to add shape to heavier knit is to belt it around the waist, like above. Also the delicate accessories give the whole outfit a lighter feel.

You usually don't have to retire your favorite winter sweater just because the weather is getting a bit warmer. Some important things to remember in order to bring this piece into early spring are texture and silhouette. The sweater above is a perfect for transitioning because the knit is chunkier and appears lighter than most other fabrics used for sweaters. Silhouette is also important to keep the whole look light. Pair a looser sweater, like the one above, with skinny jeans or a tighter pant.

All photos courtesy of Tynan DeBold. Check him out at tynandebold.tumblr.com

The important thing to remember about transitioning your wardrobe between seasons is balance, whether it's fabrics, textures or silhouette. And sometimes all you need is to change up your color palette. Embrace the bright trend, try new accessories, and keep your eyes open for new ideas.

What are some of your best transitional tips?

Walking through the student-filled Emory campus, you will find me, a curly-haired, short girl running to make it to class on time. With a backpack three times my size on my back and the wind blowing my hair, you will see me cruising through the crowd of other Emory students.

If you had asked me to run through the crowd to get to class on time three years ago, then I would have definitely said, “No way!” I was too lazy to run across campus. Now, however, I have enough energy to run around the Emory campus with a heavy backpack on my back. It just so happens that during my sophomore year in college, I realized that I was physically unfit. I was taking a PE class during my second semester, and I realized that I was running out of breath quite quickly and my arms and legs simply could not cope with the intense exercise. It was at this time that I realized I really had to do something about my body. What could I do? The gym for our dorm rooms was on the third floor.  So, I decided to go the gym in the morning before my classes started. That was my first attempt at getting more physically fit. Every time I went to work out, I would adjust the time, calorie count and distance. I would set my hands on the arm handles and furiously alternate pushing and pulling the arm handles. At the same time, I furiously pushed my legs against the force of the incline motors. I invested all of my energy into the workout as I vehemently attempted to increase my speed. I increased my speed as much as my body would allow me to. Those eighteen minutes of intense energy, even though quite few, really boosted my energy throughout the day. I felt a burst of new energy that I did not even know existed. Suddenly, I didn’t feel as if I was dragging my body across campus; instead, I felt like each part of my body had a renewed sense of energy.  It is wonderful to be able to simply zoom through campus with light and powerful legs. With my high level of energy, I even felt my normally droopy eyes pop open.

Sitting in class that day, I felt awake and focused. I could hear every word my professor was saying that morning clearly. My mind did not wander to thoughts of my soft, warm bed.  I was simply focused on what we were learning that day. Ever since that day, I have made an effort to wake up early and force myself to go to the gym. No matter how difficult it is to roll out of bed, I constantly tell myself that those few minutes I put in to exercise will energize me.  And it is so true. When I don’t work out in the mornings, I feel as if my legs don’t want to move fast enough to get to class. Even when I am finally sitting in class, I feel sleepy. So, I need my daily dose of morning workouts every day. It’s quite addicting.