I'm Not Headed Back to School, But I Can Shop Like I Am—30 Things I'm Eyeing

I've got so many bones to pick with adulthood, but I'll start with this one: Why does back-to-school shopping end once we graduate? Maybe it's just an excuse to splurge, but I swear it eases the pain of summer's inevitable end, and today, I'm bringing it back. My back-to-school shopping list (adult edition) does not include anything that can be found at Staples. Instead, I've rounded up the new-to-market fashion and beauty items that will set anyone up for success as we enter fall. The apparel items below are the perfect transitional pieces (e.g. the J.Crew cashmere vest and cargo trousers) while the beauty items will keep us glowing and hydrated as the weather starts to cool. Now, this may not be the most traditional back-to-school list you've ever seen, but if you're looking for an excuse to shop this week, I certainly found you one. Keep reading to shop my 30 favorite finds.
More office days means more makeup application, which also means I need to invest in a gentle face scrub to really clean my face. This one is my current fave.

Natalie Gray Herder is a Commerce Editor on the branded content team at Who What Wear. Originally from Los Angeles, Natalie decided to make the move to NYC after graduating from Loyola Marymount University in 2019. She is an avid researcher, reader, and explorer in and out of the office. She is inspired by the street style of her fellow New Yorkers and her laid-back roots in California.
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