As much as I love my collegiette life, there are a plethora of things from home that I miss: my friends, my family, my favorite “all you can eat” sushi restaurant, my bed, and my closet. From the sentimental armoire I’ve had since elementary school- don’t judge, it makes me feel like royalty– to my super haute fashion collage that’s encased in a gold, ornate frame, my home closet is my sanctuary. Editing my wardrobe for school, much less finding enough space to put all my valuables, is a tribulation like no other. After a bunch of decisions, and a few panic attacks, I’m happy to say that my collegiette closet is complete. Well, for now. As you flip through my closet preview, you will notice that there’s a lot of pictures and explanations. Don’t mind me: my clothes, accessories, and makeup are my children. Strange? Moving on.
The Closet
I’ve never had a walk-in before, so it was love at first sight. Whenever I walk into my closet, I instantly feel like Carrie Bradshaw. And don’t we all secretly want to be Carrie?
For the past two years of college, I’ve had a major dilemma: how to organize my shoes. Throwing my trusty kicks in a plastic bin was not okay. I mean, my shoes deserve better than that, right? My mom and I found this at The Container Store and I’ve been happy ever since.
Shelves? I’m in heaven.
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The Clothes
While most people can describe their personal style with a generic label, I simply can’t. Instead, my closet is filled to the brim with the most random pieces—everything from fur vests to J.Crew sweaters. Life’s unpredictable, so why should you ever settle on a predictable uniform?
Three years ago, I was at Bloomingdales with my mom. While she instantly adored this jacket, I didn’t. “It’s ugly,” the angsty teen in me probably said. After some convincing, we finally purchased the jacket (to appease my mom). I’m so glad I listened to her because I don’t know what I would do without this staple. Yes, my feelings toward this jacket are pretty intense. I seriously wear this boyfriend jacket everywhere: to parties, to the movies with my friends, to my favorite café on campus, to classes…everywhere. It’s super cozy and versatile enough to work with my weird wardrobe.
Oversized button-downs are definitely my favorite things to wear. They’re pretty basic; however, they’re cuter than your average tee. I love sporting these with my skinny jeans or a maxi skirt. This white Rag & Bone versiom is my absolute favorite. I picked it up at TJ Maxx and I’m so smitten. One time, I accidently threw this shirt in with my colored laundry. Let’s just say that I am eternally grateful for bleach.
Assembling an outfit is a process. But sometimes, you just want to throw something on and call it a day. If I’m feeling lazy, I wear this dress. Since the zebra print is so zany, it tricks everyone into thinking I put in more effort than I did. So thank you, Topshop in Oxford Circus – you will always be better than the US locations. Don’t hate, it’s true!
Anyone who knows me has come to terms with the fact that I’m such a girly girl. But if you saw me on the side of the street, you’d think otherwise. Especially if I was wearing this leather vest. Seriously, who even owns a leather vest? Biker gangs and me? I got this rebellious pick from Barneys CO-OP a few years ago and I love wearing it with my black skinnies, a black long-sleeved shirt, and a thick black headband. Ugh, now I just want it to be fall.
Though this dress looks pretty boring on the hanger, it’s one of my favorites. I picked this one up at Buffalo Exchange during my freshman year of college. If you haven’t been to Buffalo Exchange, something needs to change. The atypical chevron as well as color combination always makes me want to go on a Grecian getaway. Weird? Yes. Since this dress quite summery, I usually pair it with a fun necklace and some sandals.
Confession time: I sometimes take the menswear trend to a whole new level. Exhibit A: this shirt. Last December, some of my friends and I went to the Urban Outfitters in Harvard Square. When I saw this OBEY shirt, I knew I had to have it. “So what if it’s a men’s shirt?” I thought to myself. “It’s so comfortable.” And don’t worry, this shirt didn’t disappoint. My future husband better have a million cozy shirts…or else I’ll have to go back to Urban and pick up some for myself.
When going out at college, I usually stick to my trusty black skinnies and a fun party top. If this isn’t fun, I don’t know what is. Needless to say that dancing in this shirt is amazing. Leave it to Cynthia Steffe to create something so man-repelling, yet so awesome.
Speaking of evening apparel, I’m obsessed with this shirt. I found this gem in Topshop a few years ago and I’ve been smitten ever since. Sheer usually comes off as shamelessly sexy; however, the black ruffles and gem fripperies make me feel a little bit better about wearing really sheer shirt.
I mean, doesn’t everyone have a blue sequined skirt? You can thank Bloomingdales for this creation. The key to sporting this bad boy is making everything else in your ensemble really plain. I once wore this with a black shirt, black tights, and my trusty black boots– pure bliss. If I have this and that OBEY mens’ shirt, you know my closet is a very…interesting.
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The Shoes
A true fashionista is nothing without her shoes. I haven’t made the switch to rocking heels just yet (stilettos plus Boston equals a disaster waiting to happen). So it’s no surprise that I’m obsessed with flats, right? The Prada flats, which I got for my birthday last year, are perfect for when I want to unleash my inner girly girl. I love pairing those Jeffrey Campbell shoes with a minimalist ensemble. And if you were wondering, I have wounded myself with those shoes. Fashion is pain, right? I’m also mildly obsessed with leopard, so the Dolce Vita shoes are the loves of my life.
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The Bags
Out of all my friends at school, I’m the bag girl. Whether we’re going to a party or just heading to the dining hall, I’m always the one who’s holding onto everyone’s wallets and phones. I don’t mind—bags are essential. I bought the Anthropologie pouch when I was a PR intern for the store because how could anybody resist a really cute bag? I love to sport it when I’m meeting friends for coffee or bubble tea. The Yves Saint Laurent clutch was the best Christmas present ever (duh) — it’s so chic with an all black ensemble. When in doubt, I always turn to my trusty Rebecca Minkoff bag or my Ralph Lauren satchel – they’re both so effortless!
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Jewels
A wise woman once said, “Your life is incomplete without stellar statement jewels.” So maybe nobody said that, but it’s still true. Most of the time, I’m wearing some strange piece of jewelry and I love it. By the looks of the picture, you may think that I enjoy jewels that double as weaponry. Well, you’re right. The silver cuff-you can thank Nordstrom for this bad boy, by the way-makes me feel like I belong in The Avengers. Call me Mrs. Captain America? Additionally, that spiked bracelet and necklace basically say, “Don’t mess with me.” Who knew that Boston had such tough jewels? So maybe that horse-adorned cuff isn’t very intimidating, but I think it’s such an awesome staple. As for that blue and gold necklace: I purchased it at a random shop in London. To be perfectly honest, I feel very cool and elitist when somebody asks me where it’s from.
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Beauty
In my mind, fashion and beauty go hand in hand. You’re not a true glamazon if you’re not concerned about Nars’ latest collection (for the record, I adore their new grey nail polish). So it’s no surprise that I take my beauty supplies very seriously: everything between my perfumes and my trusty Laura Mercier moisturizer is very near and dear to my heart. But if I’ll be perfectly honest, my lipsticks are my favorite. If Stieg Larsson- may he rest in peace- wrote a genius series about me, he’d probably name the first book “The Girl With The Bright Lipstick.” But seriously, how could you not adore lipstick? It’s like insta-glam in a tube! My personal favorites are Nars’ “Heat Wave” and Benefit’s “Wanna?.” If you’re looking for a pop of color that’s less intimidating, I’m also obsessed with my Clinique’s Chubby Sticks! I will admit that bright lips aren’t exactly “boy-approved.” Therefore, I usually wear a nude lip when my friends and I paint the town- not our lips- red.
Though I could continue to talk about my closet, which would obviously encompass my love for wearing lax bro pinnies to the gym, I think I’ll spare you. Thanks so much for checking out the closet tour. I hope you enjoyed it!