The first day of a new school or college year carries such a unique blend of emotions, it’s hard to recreate it at any other point in life. There’s the classic end-of-summer-break blues, the nervous jitters of seeing your frenemies and crush, and the ecstasy of reuniting with your people. At this age, the promise of a new start also holds unbridled adrenaline that only teens possess.
You suddenly believe you’ve now matured into an evolved person with your own taste and, more visibly, your own style. Every baby tee, bag charm, and pair of baggy denim signals the lore from your summer. And the one thing that can set you off your mojo? Stepping into a post-class hang only to see that all your friends have a new uniform. A new shared language of cool, a silhouette or brand that everyone swears by, and you—yes, you—are the last one to catch on. Chills. Add to that buying power that is dependent on good behaviour, factors like how clean your room is, and exam results, and some ingenuity becomes crucial.
We spoke to nine teens across high school and university to find out what’s in, the brands they have in their wardrobes, and the dream buys in their future cart.
Basics now, Brioni later
Harshal, 18, Mumbai
Everyday uniform: “I like dressing comfortably, so a lot of baggy pants and cotton tees from Zara and H&M. I stick to the basics, with solid colours and predictable textures, and accessorise with a watch, a pair of sunglasses, and a couple of rings.”
Never leaves home without: “My Converse high-tops (the Chuck Taylor All Stars).”
The big aspiration: “I discovered Brioni recently and they seem to have crazy workmanship. That quality matters to me more than a brand name. I would love to buy a suit from them one day.”
Crochet hats and Crocs
Nea, 15, Hyderabad
Everyday uniform: “On the daily I’m very basic—striped tees and jorts from Uniqlo. Maybe a crochet hat that my best friend made and my Crocs.”
On the mood board: “I like Addison Rae, Olivia Rodrigo, and Bad Bunny’s style. I also like Role Model [Tucker Pillsbury]. I borrow inspiration from all their fashion.”
Current wardrobe favourites: “My aunt got me a babydoll dress from ASOS that is inspired by Olivia Rodrigo’s recent looks, I love it and live in that. I stole my sister’s organza tote bag from Ziddi, which is also very cute.”
Maddy Perez meets the under-13 aisle
Preksha, 18, Delhi
Fashion inspo: “I’m really inspired by Maddy Perez from Euphoria, especially her darker but still feminine makeup. I also love [influencer] Tanya Law Bedi, and before you ask—no, she is not doing Law; that’s just how her name is.”
On the radar: “I usually pick up makeup from more affordable brands like Mars, but I have my eye on a Dyson Airwrap. I would love to buy clothes from lesser-known brands; one that’s on my list is Sundae School.”
Style hack: “I love experimenting over sticking to one aesthetic. Recently, the women’s section at the mall has been feeling repetitive, so I’ve been pulling clothes from the kids’ section. Those are a lot more creative, with statement bottoms and accessories.”
Little Miss DIY Schiaparelli
Gunnika, 17, Noida
Everyday uniform: “I tend to wear oversized tees with shorts or shirts with baggy jeans. I like clothes that provide maximum comfort. My wardrobe is mostly made of Westside and other classic teen brands like Littlebox and Savana.”
On the mood board: “My biggest influence is Pinterest. Everything I have right now, everything I want in the future, and the guilt of throwing old things that have become cool again—they’re all dictated by the platform. It also makes me want to DIY and repurpose a lot more. Old TV shows like Gilmore Girls also shape my style.”
The big aspiration: “I love the whimsy of Schiaparelli; I’m planning to DIY their lobster motif on a white tee. I would also love to own Vivienne Westwood one day, especially the older collection of heels.”
Chasing unicorns
Mariska, 16, Mumbai
Everyday uniform: “At home I wear sweatpants and a baby tee. To a party I’ll pair baggy jeans with a cute halter top. I usually shop from Uniqlo, Bershka, Zara, and H&M.”
Current wish list: “I have so many names: Aritzia, Urban Outfitters, prom dresses from House of CB, bags from Coach, and beauty from Charlotte Tilbury. I would also love to own the clothes my friends wear—they have such great style.”
The big aspiration: “A lot of people shop from the same brands, so we unintentionally match. I wish I could buy more clothes from lesser-known brands like Studio Seven Designs.”
The sandwich method
Zuhayr, 19, Mumbai
Everyday uniform: “I love wearing clothes that are fitted on the top, like a fitted white tee (should be tight around the biceps) and baggy jeans. It creates good proportions. I would pair it with black and white Converse or Nike Blazers and maybe even a simple clip-on or magnetic earring if I’m feeling experimental.”
In the cart: “My pants are usually from Yousta or Westside because they last a long time and have good base colours. For waffle-knit tees I prefer niche brands like Everdion or more mainstream ones like Uniqlo and H&M. I also want to experiment with the old-money aesthetic from Massimo Dutti and Ralph Lauren.”
Foolproof style hack: “I practise the sandwich method, where I match the colour of my shoes to my shirt. I also look at YouTubers like Noah Altink, Alex Costa, and Pierre Dalati for inspiration. And I love seeing what my friends wear. It’s seen as a compliment rather than an offence now when you dress similar to a friend.”
Skating toward a Rare Beauty haul
Naira, 16, Bengaluru
Everyday uniform: “Lately when I step out, I’ve been wearing jorts from Uniqlo, Bonkers Corner, and Zara. I pair them with basic tank tops and lots of beaded jewellery from small Instagram labels. After the World Cup, I also fell in love with oversized jerseys. I buy them from Nike or Adidas and bling them up with ribbons and star clips.”
Current wish list: “I’m currently saving to buy orchid jewellery from Not Just Bijoux. My mum has promised to treat me at Nykaa or Tira Beauty if I do well at my skating tests next month. So, if all goes well, I’ll have a new kit from Rare Beauty and Kylie Cosmetics soon.”
Wardrobe favourites: “I have the red Terra tote bag from Lucien that is an absolute statement. Club that with my silver Onitsuka Tiger ballet flats and a red heart tee from by2bestfriends [a community brand] and that’s my cutest fit at the moment.”
Basics with an eye for Diesel
Sarah, 18, Mumbai
In the cart: “I currently shop from Uniqlo, H&M, Bershka, and Zara. I usually try finding pieces that can be styled and worn in multiple ways, and these brands offer great basics that are easy to mix and match. For beauty, I prefer Rare Beauty, Huda Beauty, and Elf cosmetics.”
Everyday uniform: “Emma Chamberlain and Tarini Shah [both content creators] inspire my style. I mostly wear baggy jeans or linen pants with baby tees. I also like styling leggings with comfortable T-shirts.”
The big aspiration: “I’d love to own a Diesel or Coach handbag, I’ve seen a lot of celebrities and athletes carry them. Also, I want to invest in some everyday New Balance sneakers.”
The more oversized, the better
Savya, 15, Bengaluru
Everyday uniform: “Plain-looking clothes with an oversized jacket. I love baggy outfits because they make me feel good when I look in the mirror.”
Go-to brands: “I love Celio and Jack & Jones because they have plain tees that look pretty cool. Westside had a revamp recently and their new collection is very good too.”
The big aspiration: “My friends influence my style to a large extent, and they talk about perfumes and watches a lot. I have recently started taking an interest, so I don’t know too many brands, but maybe one day I’d like to become a collector.”
