Revisiting the Schoolgirl

CEBU, Philippines - There are two generations who are very well versed when it comes to school girl fashion: the Clueless generation of the 90s (yes, think Alicia Silverstone, her tartan skirt and knee-highs), and think the Gossip Girl as well, the most recent batch of school girl fans who have redefined what school girl chic truly means.

The emergence of this trend is of no surprise given that first, school season is back, and second, that the second semester is fast approaching-something that is worth looking forward to especially for the studes who are blessed not to have to think about donning school uniforms. 

School girl chic channels a lot of fuzzy nostalgia, I must admit. But the incredible thing about it is that although it brings us a little bit back into the international school arena, it also gives us a chance to move from the frothy nostalgia and reinvent this classic style (read: boldly preppy). And when I say reinvent, I mean ditching the skirt and tartan socks ensemble and instead surprising the rest with a quirky mix of different elements from different decades to come up with a look that's both classic and fresh.

School girl fashion has been interpreted and reinterpreted in so many ways, in equally so many runways cutting across looks that evoked innocence, rebelliousness, class, to plain mischief. 

Depending on her report card, 2012's school girl is either innocent or rebellious. The former has perfectly combed hair and is wrapped in longer skirts. She carries a shy sensibility and is a fresh-faced beauty sans the make-up. The latter on the other hand will always find ways to transform her uniform into a fashion statement. She can rock sparkling hairpins and bold makeup while bursting bubble-gum in class. Then there are those who are somewhere in between the spectrum of innocent and rebelliousness, transforming every so often into the other when the mood calls for it, or meeting half way between innocent and rebel when she feels like it.

The 2012 schoolgirl is a mix of fashion inspirations from the past decades, making her morph into several kinds of girls with just the change of hairdo, makeup, or accessories while retaining the entire outfit.

Sharon Wauchob played around with the school girl theme by infusing a sense of school girl edginess in it, throwing in shiny prints, vibrant colors, and textures as well. Lauren Moffatt's interpretation is a bit more playful, taking her clothes right smack in the middle of the classroom to breathe life into the innocent and undone school girl. This saw a barrage of pleats and peter pan collars.

Veda, on the other hand, took a different turn on school girl fashion, sexing up the school girl and giving her naughty twist in her Fall 2012 collection. With Veda, it's tartan skirts and knee highs meet leather jackets which take the delinquent school girl deep into the after school dance after dark.

DSquared2 brings classic chic into the school girl theme by dressing their girls in 1960s bouffants, sparking costume gems, and bubblegum hues, creating a scene that's replete with seniors dressed like ladies but acting like little girls. 

Finally, key to the schoolgirl fashion are some key elements that will drive the point home. Varsity jackets over skinny jeans or anything fitting underneath is a good place to start. Thick, horn-rimmed glasses bring to mind the classy Ms. Perfect. High ponytails inspired from the sixties talk about Ms. Popular Cheerleader while button-up shirts and layered skirts or anything tartan or plaid attempt to bring back thoughts of a sexed up uniform. Cap the look with the ankle socks under brogues or loafers and you are ready for school.

Of course, the trick here is to not be mistaken for a schoolgirls playing hooky so better throw in daring accessories to set you apart from the girl who is really enrolled in class.