Most trends you can predict - there's always going to be florals in spring, nautical in summer and highly likely some pastels thrown somewhere in between the two.
Which makes all these smocks and blazers, reminiscent of what you probably wore in high school, so refreshing.
The last foray you probably had
with what's been referred to as the "prep-school" trend is likely to have been around the same time Britney sang and danced her way through a locker-lined corridor.
If that memory has you wary about trying it on again, here's a few lessons to keep in mind if you plan on drawing on your high school days for fashion inspiration over winter.
Lesson 1
Reaquaint yourself with the pinafore with the help of Twenty-Seven Names. Their saccharine-sweet Charlotte dress is one part cute, one part sexy. With the matching bow tie, it's also one part very cool.
Lesson 2
Who would've thought you'd be forking out the big bucks for versions of those clunky brown or black lace-up school shoes you had to wear with tights in winter? Look for ones with brogue detailing - and especially to Chaos & Harmony if you need convincing.
Lesson 3
It's not all about drawing inspiration from the New Zealand high-school uniforms of tartan checks. The prep-school look calls on style help from the States. Look for varsity sport jackets as well as tees and dresses with big American football-style numbers on them.
Lesson 4
American yearbook photos provide eyewear inspiration for the prep-school look. A pair of vintage-style cat's-eye frames will do the trick, as will frames with heavy rims on the top half.
Lesson 5
Too young to pull off the prep-school look without looking like you're wagging class? Sling a satchel over your shoulder to still get in on the trend.
