I've gone through many style phases, from the dreaded scene kid, to pin-up, to decora.
Right now, and for white a while now, all I really wear are flow-ey earthy things.
Every now and then if I feel gross I will dress up, even for school, just a nice pair of jeans, or a dress or whatever.
Maxi-skirts are my absolute favourite, you can wear them year round if you put a pair of leggings under them.
Cardigans are great, one can never have too many cardigans.
As for Chinos, I think they are great when you wear them with the right things.