The Interlude

It’s back to school season already — or so they tell me. I haven’t known what day it was since March of 2020.

Strolling the aisles of Target (aka my new weekly ritual), I can’t help but feel nostalgic passing by the back-to-school displays: The excitement of sharing your schedule with your friends, hoping you’d have the same teachers. The thrill of getting a brand new set of mechanical pencils and a crisp new notebook. Making trades with your best friends to diversify your colored pen collection.

As a kid, the back-to-school season was like New Year’s on steroids. While August rolled onto the scene, the promise of a new year washed away any haunting memories of school years past. I was sun-kissed, well-rested, and an entirely new person, which meant that I could reinvent myself to be the student I really wanted to be. I had picking out the right school supplies to match my new persona down to an art. 

The beauty of school supplies is that they’re completely customizable to fit your aesthetic. And if TikTok has taught me anything over the last year, it’s that there are many, many vibes out there.

And whether school is in-person or online, you too can experience the thrill that is coordinating school supplies.

The Y2K fanatics

As much as it pains me to see the era of low-rise jeans and butterfly clips rear its ugly head again, there’s no denying that early 2000s fashion is back. Why not keep the trend going with some throwback school supplies? Recall your inner Y2K self (or, pretend you were there… if you’re that young) with some essentials, like glittery Lisa Frank folders and bright scented markers. Pay homage to some 90s classics with the cutest Clueless pencils — perfect to complement the pleated skirts and matching sets making their way back to the racks. 

Graphic illustration by Sara Schleede.

$6 – Lisa Frank Bundle (Binder, Folder, Spiral Notebook)
$13 – Mr. Sketch Scented Markers – 22 Count
$7 – Jelly Pencil Pouch – Lime Green
$10 – Clueless Pencils
$6 – Classic Composition Notebook
$15 – Britney Spears Zipper Pouch

The Modern Minimalist

Pastels. Sleek lines. If you’ve been obsessed with Marie Kondo-ing every item you own, you know: minimalism is the new thing. Not only is it pleasing to the eye, but when everything is so clean, it can never go out of style. This binder from MochiThings will be your lifesaver for the school year. Look at all of the pockets! Between that and this super-cute colorblocked planner, you will have your shit together — and look like it — too.

Graphic illustration by Sara Schleede.

$23 – Simple modern 24 oz. stainless steel tumbler
$29 – Demi academic year planner
$22 – Moleskine Classic Black Notebook
$35 – Macbook solid colored hard cases
$9 – Mildliner Double-sided highlighter (fluorescent set)
$12 – Pastel Gel Pens
$52 – Clutch 6 Ring A5 Binder

The 70s Babe

After spending a year inside, many of us turned our eyes to the past for entertainment: bright colors, funky patterns, and lots of ABBA. Let everybody know that you shamelessly watched Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again more than once this summer with a cute tote bag. And with this colorful Snoopy lunchbox, you’ll keep your lunch safe in style. Now lace up your roller skates and roll into class like the dancing queen you are.

Graphic illustration by Sara Schleede.

$29 – Slow Down academic planner
$13 – Starburst zipper pouch
$15 – Mamma Mia tote bag
$48 – Flower Power backpack
$9 – Mildliner Double-Sided Highlighter set – bright color set
$17 – Snoopy in Space Lunchbox
$28 – Cassette tape pen holder/tape dispenser

The Modern Boho

Let’s face it, you’re cooler than me. You have an aesthetic that is all your own — part retro, part millennial, part patterned, part plant parent. Honestly, what can’t you do? Your multiplicity is perfectly showcased by these supplies. Who else could rock a cow print backpack? You can color code your notes with these rich-colored highlighters, and when you’re done with that, you can keep your place with this Banana Leaf bookmark pen (yes — it’s a bookmark AND a pen!).

Graphic illustration by Sara Schleede.

$29 – Boho Rainbow academic planner
$27 – Macbook Colorful Plant Painting hard case
$56 – Cow Print backpack
$16 – Palm Leaf Print Spiral Notebook
$9 – Mildliner Double-Sided Highlighter (warm color set)
$46 – Canvas Today 6 Ring A5 Binder
$10 – Banana Leaf Bookmark Pen (
$50 – Hydro Flask 32 oz. water bottle (Clementine)

The Jane Austen Obsessed

We know you. You’ve watched Pride and Prejudice an embarrassing amount of times and have gotten way too deep on “the hand moment” TikTok. Or… maybe that’s just me. Light academia and dark academia lovers alike will love these supplies.  If you close your eyes, you can pretend you’re in a huge library in the Parisian countryside. 

This notebook was designed to hold all of your darkest secrets (like how you wish Mr. Darcy was completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy with you), and these tassel bookmarks will make sure you never lose your place while daydreaming again. Plus, you can bring a little piece of your P&P-filled summer back with this sticker of what’s undoubtedly the hottest moment of the movie. Nobody has to know you ended up on Mr. Darcy kink-Tok.

Graphic illustration by Sara Schleede.

$27 – Modern Musings notebook
$5 – Pride and Prejudice “hand flex” sticker
$39 – Midnight Garden Laptop Sleeve
$44 – Flower Embroidered Backpack
$9 – Mildliner Double-sided highlighter – soft mild set
$5 – Daily Plan Sticky Note v6
$13 – MYO Tassel and Bookmark Set
$8 – World Literature Book Cover Mouse Pad

The prices listed in this article have been rounded up to the nearest dollar and reflect the price at the original time of publication. The Interlude does not receive payment for these recommendations. No brands paid for or sponsored this article.