School Hallway to Runway: 6 Airport Outfit Formulas by Aespa’s Karina to Master Back-to-School Style
August 18, 2026
Nailing the perfect back-to-school wardrobe requires balancing long days on campus with an effortless, main-character aesthetic. Look no further than Aespa’s Karina, whose masterclass in airport fashion seamlessly blends preppy, sporty, and ultra-functional elements into everyday outfits.
Since debuting with Aespa in 2020, Karina has established herself as one of global pop culture’s premier style icons. Her unique ability to merge high-fashion luxury with accessible streetwear—symbolized by her dual global ambassadorships with both Prada and Converse—makes her off-duty airport looks the ultimate blueprint for transitional campus dressing.
Below is your breakdown of six standout outfit formulas inspired by Karina, alongside tips on how to adapt each look for the new academic semester.
1. Boho Comfort Meets Campus Utility
Long lectures and back-to-back classes demand maximum comfort, but Karina proves you don’t have to settle for basic sweatpants.
This outfit formula pairs a soft, flowy midi or maxi skirt with an oversized transitional jacket (like a textured UGG shearling piece) to create a relaxed bohemian silhouette. To keep it functional for walking across campus, Karina anchors the look with high-cushion running sneakers—such as the Nike Vomero Plus—and an oversized leather or canvas carryall tote that easily fits textbooks, laptops, and daily essentials.
2. Sporty Drama with a Retro Twist
If you want to blend athletic energy with tailored structure, this formula takes cues from Karina‘s sporty-chic playbook.
Match a flowy pencil skirt with a vintage racing-style bomber jacket for a bold textural contrast. Slide into retro low-profile sneakers—such as Nike Cortez, Moon Shoes, or LD-1000s—paired with crisp white crew socks. Finish the look with a roomy nylon tote bag (like Karina’s go-to Prada Tessuto tote) to hold your campus gear.
3. The High-Contrast Canadian Tuxedo
Double denim can feel intimidating, but Karina keeps the classic Canadian tuxedo fresh by focusing on contrasting silhouettes and eye-catching accessories.
Layer a relaxed ’90s denim trucker jacket over a structured pair of baggy denim jorts or straight-leg jeans. Underneath, keep it simple with a basic white tank top for warm early-semester days, or a button-up poplin shirt as autumn sets in. Anchor the outfit with rugged leather combat or Chelsea boots, and break up the blue denim wash with a bright, popping accessory—such as a vibrant pink shoulder bag.
4. Preppy-Go-Lucky Classics
Nobody does modern academia quite like Karina. The quintessential school-girl aesthetic gets a cozy, elevated upgrade by pairing a pleated midi skirt with a soft cashmere crewneck sweater.
To make this look campus-ready without sacrificing chic proportions, swap traditional pointed stilettos for ballet flats or trending Mary Jane sneakers (like Stand Oil straps). Don’t forget the essential preppy accessory: ribbed crew socks pulled up to the mid-calf.
5. Off-Duty Superstar Chic
For days when you need a high-impact outfit with minimal planning effort, turn to this foolproof styling trick from Karina.
Combine an oversized faux-leather bomber jacket with a micro mini skirt or high-waisted tailored shorts. Layer semi-sheer black tights underneath to keep things warm during cooler weather, and complete the look with structured, knee-high block-heel boots. The visual contrast between the heavy, oversized outerwear and the sleek tall boots creates instant off-duty model energy.
6. Edgy Y2K Utility Style
When you want to give your campus look a sharp, grunge-inspired edge, embrace a maximalist utility formula.
Karina styles relaxed black wide-leg cargo pants with heavy platform combat boots, such as classic Dr. Martens Jadons. Layer a cropped button-up cardigan under an aviator-style faux-fur shearling jacket for autumn warmth. During warmer weather, swap the heavy outerwear for a raglan tee or layered ribbed tanks while keeping the utility bottoms intact.
The Karina Back-to-School Style Cheat Sheet
| Formula Vibe | Core Top & Outerwear | Bottoms | Footwear Selection | Hero Accessory |
| Boho Comfort | Oversized cozy jacket | Flowy maxi skirt | High-cushion runners | Oversized carryall tote |
| Sporty Twist | Racing bomber jacket | Flowy pencil skirt | Retro flat sneakers | White crew socks |
| Canadian Tuxedo | Denim trucker jacket | Baggy denim jorts | Leather combat boots | High-contrast pink bag |
| Preppy Classics | Cashmere crewneck | Pleated midi skirt | Mary Jane sneakers | Ribbed mid-calf socks |
| Superstar Chic | Leather bomber jacket | Mini skirt & sheer tights | Knee-high block boots | Structured shoulder bag |
| Edgy Utility | Faux-fur aviator jacket | Wide-leg cargo pants | Platform combat boots | Cropped button cardigan |
Elevating Your Everyday Campus Look
What makes Karina’s fashion sense so universally appealing is her balance between high-end curation and pure function. She understands that airport style—much like campus life—requires clothes that move with you throughout the day while still making you feel confident and put-together.
By experimenting with proportions, layering unexpected textures, and pairing elevated outerwear with comfortable sneakers or sturdy boots, you can easily transform these six formulas into your personal uniform for the upcoming school year.
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