It’s back to school time and what better excuse to update your wardrobe. Lisa Haynes does her homework on uniform-inspired fashion for grown-ups

SCHOOL is definitely not ‘out’ but well and truly ‘in’ for this season. Kids may drag their feet, but mums should be running to the school gates in grey-pleat skirts, blazers and brogues.

The latest preppy trend also gets a gold star for ticking lots of boxes, as we head into a new fashion term.

The shirts and boyish shoes take care of autumn/winter’s mannish look, skirts and woolly cardigans hit the spot for the heritage trend and satchels and block heels give a nod to Seventies fever.

The one subtle difference is that – combined together – there’s a youthful spin. All the better for anti-ageing your wardrobe and giving the kids a run (or hopscotch jump) for their pocket money.

Preppy is one look that’s sure to leave you looking top of the class.

STYLE SWOT

No matter if you detested your actual school uniform back in the day, now’s your chance to re-write the rules. There’ll be no detentions for experimenting with this quirky look.

Pick out one traditional school-inspired piece, like a grey circle skirt, and transform it from drab to fab with clashing bright block colours in the form of a blazer, pullover or tights. Stick to ankle socks for a prim-and-proper take.

This is a laid-back approach to uniform dressing. And to go down the tomboy route, add a statement accessory with on-trend brogue flats or Harry Potter-style thick frame glasses.

PREFECT PERFECTION

If you love being immaculately turned out, present your inner prefect with preened and polished perfection.

Choose a pristine white shirt with crisply pressed collars and cuffs and team with a ladylike pencil skirt – or do away with tradition and opt for classy tailored trousers.

Think anything but provocative Hit Me Baby One More Time Britney-style uniforms. This look is all about minimalism with clean lines and a monochromatic palette.

Missing your head girl status? Introduce a flash of preppiness with a blazer featuring a school badge proudly emblazoned on its chest.

Put some extra homework into your look to smarten things up. Try adding block-heeled brogues and a smart tie. And make sure not so much as a hair is out of place.

VARSITY GRADUATE

If you feel like you’ve well and truly graduated from those school days, work a university-inspired preppy look instead. Not a dash of grey polyester in sight.

Think Kate Middleton at Edinburgh University with chunky knit jumpers and tweed blazers – a look that helped her bag a Prince, no less.

Accessories are all-important for showing that you’ve made the grade. Add a pop of brightness with a block-coloured scarf – in primary school shades, of course. And opt for a Seventies-style leather satchel, slung nonchalantly over the shoulder – the more battered and weathered, the better.

For an off-duty look, try this season’s all-American two-tone wool varsity jackets. You’ll soon have a mini team of cheerleaders chanting compliments about your school of thought.

BUY IT NOW

You don’t have to break the bank to buy a piece by Samantha Cameron’s frock favourite, Osman Yousefzada. The designer has created an exclusive new capsule collection for John Lewis, launching September 5, with prices starting from £179 – see them at www.johnlewis.com and www.selfridges.com.