Back-to-School Must-Haves for 2023

If you feel like summer flashed by in the blink of an eye, you're far from alone.

It seems like we were all just planning our perfect captions for our hot girl summers, and now we're about to have to trade in our beach days for library dates sooner than you can say, "I completely forgot about the summer reading assignment."

But back-to-school season isn't all bad, as it also brings new opportunities to spend time with friends and reinvent yourself into the person you want to be this school year and beyond. It's also a lot easier (and more enjoyable) to think about when you have the right things to help you conquer this school year in both the most stylish and the most successful way possible. It's time to study up on all your back-to-school must-haves for 2023.

A Really Good (and Really Cute) Water Bottle: $45

Having trouble hydrating? Many students do, but the right water bottle can keep you healthy and have you actually looking forward to sucking down your eight glasses a day. Stanley is a standby brand for a reason, and their range of colors and designs means that you're sure to find a cup, bottle or tumbler that perfectly suits your style. Plus, the handle makes it incredibly easy to tote around from classroom to classroom, so you have no excuse not to drink water like your friends and family keep telling you to do.

(via Stanley)

 

Also read about: Must-Have Products for Anyone Trying to Drink More Water

 

An Ultra-Chic Undated Planner: $26

Staying on track with your schoolwork, extracurriculars and social calendar is exhausting, but it doesn't need to be impossible. The right planner can make all the difference in helping you balance everything you've got going on, whether you're planning out when you need to study for your calculus exam or planning which outfits to wear when you know you'll run into your crush. This one from Patet is a perfect pick for this back-to-school season, especially thanks to its chic vegan leather exterior and minimalistic vibe. Plus, you won't need to worry about forgetting your pen (again), as this one keeps it nicely stored for you where you can always find it in a pinch.

(via Patet)

 

A Fool-Proof Self Tanner: $24.95

Make it look like you just got back from a luxurious beach vacation—even if you actually just got back from biology class—all school year long with this deluxe gradual tanning lotion from Loving Tan. Not only is it easy to use (saving you from accidentally ending up with that dreaded orange hue we've all seen before), but it's also super effective and even nourishing for your skin.

(via Loving Tan)

 

Also read about: Our Favorite Self-Tanners to Keep Your Summer Glow Going Through Fall

 

A Lunchbox You'll Actually Want to Pack Every Day: $79+

Say goodbye to sad lunches packed in a hurry or shoved into containers that leak by the time your lunch period comes around, as Modern Picnic is here to transform the way you carry your meals and the way you think about your lunchbox. This croc pouch is perfect for keeping all your favorite foods neatly stowed away until you're finally sat down at the lunch table, but the gorgeous school-friendly tote ($250) is also a great option if you're really ready to impress the entire cafeteria. Either way, we recommend you pick up a classic yet stylish food container ($20) to go with your new lunchbox in order to make the most out of your packed meals every day.

(via Modern Picnic)

 

A Classic Denim Jacket: $128

Layers are essential for back-to-school season, both for sticking to your school's dress code as well for staying warm in the frostiest of classrooms (especially for those of us dealing with teachers who love nothing more than cranking the AC on high). This one from Lee is perfect for its versatility and timeless design, so you won't need to worry about failing out of your personal style assignments any time soon.

(via Lee)

 

Protein Bars Perfect for Snacking in a Pinch: $22+

Don't let hunger halt you from achieving academic success this school year. Instead, keep a pack of healthy protein bars (like these ones from Aloha, which are vegan-friendly and come in tons of delicious dessert-like flavors) at the ready. They'll hold you over until lunch while also delivering an extra punch of energy-boosting nutrients, and the ease of throwing one in your lunchbox or backpack makes them all the more perfect for packing this school year.

(via Aloha)

 

An Anything-but-Boring Bucket Bag: $15.25

In 2023, it's time to say goodbye to your basic backpack and hello to a better, chicer alternative: the bucket bag. This one from SHEIN is not only super affordable but also super stylish—seriously, this book bag is cute enough that you'll want to use it even on the weekends. What's more, it's waterproof and made with an anti-theft design, meaning you won't have to worry about your group project getting swiped or soaked on your way to class.

(via SHEIN)

 

This Backpack-Friendly Flyaway Stick for Quick Hair Fixes: $28

Don't let frizz ruin your perfectly curated classroom looks any longer. From dealing with humidity on your way to the halls to settling down your post-gym class strands, all your hair woes are solved with this one simple stick from Goldie Locks. The Flyaway Fix Hydrating Pomade Stick is a product we wish we'd known about so much sooner, especially considering its simple design and super effective formula that stops flyaways in their tracks. It's an absolute must for picture day fixes, but we say it's worth keeping in your bag all year long for those days when your hair just won't cooperate in class or out.

(via Goldie Locks)

 

It doesn't take much to elevate the way you experience entering back into the halls of your school this year, and these chic-yet-simple items prove that. If you're specifically getting ready to enter into a new school year that happens to be at college, though, you'll first want to click HERE for our list of dorm-perfect products you didn't know you needed.