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What did New York City teens wear on the first day of school?
By
Emily Nadal
Published Sep 5, 2025
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By
Emily Nadal
Published Sep 5, 2025
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You remember that feeling. It’s the night before the start of a new school year. The notebooks are stacked, the haircut is crisp and, most importantly, the outfit is laid out.
This week, as schools across New York City and New Jersey welcomed students back, Gothamist hit the streets to see what high schoolers chose to rock for the first day of classes – and wound up getting a crash course in Gen Z drip.
Lesson 1: It’s all about the footwear
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
The classics are still classic. Jordans, Asics, Timberlands and Adidas Sambas were some of the most popular shoes Gothamist spotted on high schoolers’ feet, but there were quite a few designer shoes in the mix, too.
“You don’t have to have designer [shoes], you can have one pair of designer and then regular Jordans, Asics,” said Ibrahim Bah, a junior at Broome Street Academy who sported a pair of blue and white Bottega sneakers to accompany a well-coordinated fit of blue denim shorts, a light blue school uniform tee and a sleek blue Lululemon summer jacket.
Lesson 2: Baggy jeans are in
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
The dream of the 90’s is alive at the Beacon School. When it comes to denim, it’s all about comfort these days, according to these high school juniors who also pointed out that jorts (loose-fitting jean shorts) have made a comeback.
And it’s not just the guys who resurrected the baggy jean trend. For Alison Rivera, 14, these thrifted baggy pants were a must for her first day of ninth grade at the Beacon School.
“In middle school, I used to wear a uniform, so I didn’t get to express myself,” she said. “But now I can dress how I want to dress.”
Lesson 3: Some of the best clothing pieces can be found overseas
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
High school senior Alimzan Begulov (left) got his pants in Japan. So did freshman Dylan Tan (right).
“This is my first time wearing something like this to school,” said Tan.
Lesson 4: You need a good purse
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
Backpacks are out (for the most part), and purses are in. The bigger the better.
“The only thing I’ll say is invest in purses,” said Leah, 16, a junior at the Beacon School who carried an oversized Marc Jacobs tote to match her black and white Nike Dunks.
“Yes,” Leah’s friend, Ciranni, also a junior, said as she showed off her Sprayground purse to compliment her red and white Nike Dunks. “Cute totes. But they do hurt your shoulders.”
Lesson 5: Check your mom’s closet
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
That’s where high school senior Vanesa Bisha found her oversized bag and cowboy boots. “Shoutout mom,” she said.
“It’s great because teens, what we do is revitalize,” Bisha explained. “We put some life into worn or old pieces in other people’s closets, whether it’s thrifting or with our own families.”
Lesson 6: Don’t let a uniform cramp your style
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
There are plenty of ways to jazz up a uniform, according to Broome Street Academy juniors Brianna McClean (left), Brianna Lownds (center) and their friend Janiyah (right), who said it’s all about the accessories.
“Accessories matter, especially when you have a uniform,” they said. “Rings, bracelets, necklace, the bag. You gotta have something. And you gotta have your hair done.”
Lesson 7: Incorporate fun pieces into special moments
Emily Nadal/Gothamist and Patricia Lozano
These high school seniors celebrated their last first day of school by throwing it back to the good old days of… kindergarten? While the toddler-sized cartoon backpacks probably won’t be able to last all year, they served as a sweet way to mark a day that, for many, is the beginning of the end of their days as care-free kids.
“I think it’s really to encompass the nostalgia of our childhood,” said Sienna Corless (left). “And just to kind of bring that back for our final year of high school.”
And finally, lesson 8: Save your best outfit for Monday!
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
School traditionally starts on a Thursday in the New York City and New Jersey area, and once that first day excitement wears off, you’ll need some Monday motivation. That’s why Fort Lee High School sophomore Brianna Dominguez is looking forward to next week.
“I’m very excited for Monday,” Dominguez said. “Because they started on a Thursday, so I had to wear a kind of good outfit. But Monday is where it’s at.”
More scenes from the first day of school
Jaime McCann, 15, and Johnnie McCann, 16, juniors at Fort Lee High School
Arti Haxhaj, 14, Leo Grobenjieser, 15, Blair Volej, 15, The Beacon School
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
Lamont, Devin and Henry, juniors at The Beacon School
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
Julianna, Janiya, Kimora and Kaylee, juniors at The Beacon School
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
Samrina, The Beacon School
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
Argeliza, 16 and Natalia, 14, The Beacon School
Emily Nadal/Gothamist
Tagged
education
fashion
high school
nyc
schools
Emily Nadal
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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