I remember packing for my freshman year of college, and when I say packing, it was more like throwing in every random piece of clothing I owned just in case! I mean what if there was a "stupidly obscure pop-culture reference t-shirt" party?? I just couldn't be without my bright red, cheaply silk-screened "Dont Taze Me Bro!" tee (anyone else remember that guy?). Unfortunately it took me pretty much all four years of college to sift through my crap and figure out what I really needed. So now here I am, a year out of college and an old maid, imparting my college wardrobe wisdom onto the next generation with a list of staple pieces every girl should have in her 2' x 6' college
closet cupboard.
bodycon skirt. perfect for nights out and goes with everything. You can dress it up or down depending on the occasion.
cute sweats. Living in a communal co-ed environment, you want to look cute even when you don't feel like it. Go with a slightly loose-fitting sweatpant with a tapered leg that you can scrunch. I love the
VS Pink Collegiate pant. its the best of both worlds!
dark wash skinny jeans. Once again, it's a versatile piece. Wear it with everything you own! You can dress it up with cute shoes and a saucy top or go the other end of the spectrum with chucks and your college sweatshirt. Either way, your butt will look damn fine.
white cotton tee. perfect for when you just want to throw something on when you're late to class, a flattering white tee will always make you look put together without having to try. WARNING: white tee's don't last you long bc of stains of all sorts, so buy cheap and often.
yoga leggings. wear them with sandals, gym shoes or boots and
always a longer top. A good THICK(ladiesss) black legging will never do you wrong. P.S. they're a godsend on rainy days!
tall brown boots. A sturdy brown leather boot can style up any basic outfit. Be sure to weather treat them and they'll be your staple shoe regardless of the weather. But make sure the boot isn't too trendy or it'll be out of your closet as quickly as it entered. For example, I love a good
Frye equestrian boot!
converse/keds. In a neutral color like white, grey or navy, they'll never go out of style and are a perfect for everyday college happenings.
chiffon tank. Perfect with your bodycon skirt or skinnies. Great for nights out or for a date with Brad McVcut from down the hall.
white blouse. There are some situations in college where business casual is necessary, like a presentation, so a basic white blouse is perfect with your dark skinnies and boots for an easy way to look a little more presentable. This
Express blouse is my fave and comes in tons of colors (also happens to be 40% off right now online)!
flowy/oversized sweater. There is nothing I coveted more in school than that perfect oversized sweater to curl up in. Go with a cool classic style, like the
fisherman style with thick cables. I threw it over everything and kept it in my school bag.
flannel shirt. perfect for making any basic outfit cool and they sure come in handy for all those token cowboys and country themed parties.
basic tote bag. Go for a solid brown or black leather(or pleather) tote that will fit your laptop, an extra layer like a jacket or sweater and a textbook. You want it to be sturdy, fit comfortably over your shoulder and able to go with everything.
So here's a quick round-up of my college staple knowhow:
IT'S ALL ABOUT VERSATILITY AND LOW MAINTENANCE. college is a time when you're constantly running around being spontaneous (and a little crazy). Your clothes should compliment and actuate that lifestyle or whatever lifestyle you lead in college or otherwise. YOUR WARDROBE SHOULD REPRESENT YOU. Try not to let the way others dress influence you too much. Experimenting with what you see around you is great and fun but make sure you tailor those trends to your own individual style. LET THE STAPLES BE YOUR FOUNDATION and then work outwards with different trends that you gravitate towards. My mistake was absent-mindedly clinging from one trend to another in blind hopes of it all somehow working together. Because ohhhhh did it not(cringing at my memories). I just ended up having to buy more and more. Most important, BE CONFIDENT in what you're wearing and who you are in your clothes, because that's the most timeless and flattering staple of all. That statement is dripping with cheese, but dang it really is the real deal guys!
Here's a list of some links of my favorite mall-accessible stores for college staple pieces:
American Apparel
Gap
J Crew
Zara
H&M
American Eagle
Express
ttyl :)
madeleine
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