5 Cool-Girl Fall Essentials to Add to Your Mood Board
These Effortless Trousers
· CosmopolitanIf you're wondering why syllabus week has been looking more like a luxury nature retreat than the first day of school, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Gorpcore is back, baby.
The campus looks of the 2026-2027 academic year is heavy on athleisure-coded staples that give off that casually-stylish kind of vibe. Instead of ballet flats and mini dresses, the first-day-of-class aesthetic is more on the chunky hiking sneakers, functional-chic tote bags, baggy pants beat.
The Blueprint:
MACIEJ VON BIBERSTEIN//AKM-GSI
MACIEJ VON BIBERSTEIN//Aflo
MACIEJ VON BIBERSTEIN//ABC
And the designers at The North Face—the unofficial ambassadors of go anywhere autumnal style—have pre-released a fall collection that's made for this exact look. They're supplying their usual polished activewear—the kind that looks just as cool on a hiking trail as it does at a trendy restaurant—but they're also branching out with more style-forward pieces designed to influence.
Shop our best picks, ahead.
The North Face Women’s Pinecrest Wide-Leg Pants
The North Face Women’s Pinecrest Wide-Leg Pants$120The North Face
These pants are the moment: they've got a perfectly-baggy fit and a wide-leg silhouette for that grungy, '90s look. A hoodie, a corset, or a crop top all look casually-cool with these beauties.
This Ready for Whatever Tote Bag
The North Face Never Stop Tote
The North Face Never Stop Tote$130The North Face
The North Face's oversized Never Stop Tote (very accurately named, BTW) is light as air and incredibly spacious, so you can pack it full of books and snacks and the occasional after-class gym 'fit. The adjustable strap means you can go cross-body or over-the-shoulder, while the outer pockets simultaneously add a runway-inspired feel.
This Two-Tone Puffer
The North Face Women’s Nuketo Synthetic Insulated Jacket
The North Face Women’s Nuketo Synthetic Insulated Jacket$180The North Face
No one—and I repeat, no one—does high-performance puffers like The North Face. OGs of sporty-chic style, the brand has perfected the art of function-meets-vibes. This plum-hued cropped style is hands-down one of their best creations. Throw it on over your favorite sweatsuit for an elevated feel or style it with jeans for more of a dressy look.
These Gorpcore-Coded Sneakers
The North Face Clyffe Ultra Shoes
The North Face Clyffe Ultra Shoes$150The North Face
The North Face is cult-worshipped for its fleece-lined pull-overs and high-performance backpacks, but what you probably didn't know is that they've also got a whole range of cool-girl sneakers. The Clyffe Ultra Shoes are a favorite, combining the chunky, dad shoe outer with that trendy hiking shoe aesthetic.
This Do-Everything Tank
The North Face Women’s Jaida Long Line Bra
The North Face Women’s Jaida Long Line Bra$65The North Face
The gym, the lecture hall, the coffee shop, the bar—this top will quite literally go everywhere with you. To the naked eye, it looks like your everyday seamless tank, but its actually an ultra-supportive bra, carefully disguised as an elevated basic. Wear this silky smooth top with butt-lift leggings for kickboxing class or with a mini skirt for your next date.
Kelsey (she/her) is a freelance digital fashion editor and writer with a knack for turning top-performing content into top-selling content. She has extensive experience in editorial and e-commerce strategy, having worked in both divisions during her years at Seventeen and Bustle. With more than a decade of experience in digital media, she also offers creative and social media consulting, as well as copywriting services. She enjoys cheeseburgers, traveling, and vintage hauls. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.