Ever wonder what styles collegiettes on the other side of the country (or globe!) are rocking this summer? We talked to collegiettes and fashion experts about current and upcoming trends on different continents. Check out these chic and easy styles from all around the globe, and find some fashion inspiration in these looks from thousands of miles away from you!
USA: The Northeast
Halter tops
New England collegiettes are going crazy for halter tops. Syracuse University junior Vanessa Castillo says she spotted this trend all around campus at Mayfest, her school’s end-of-year festival. Vanessa loves this throwback to the ‘90s so much that she’s teaching herself to sew her own halter tops!
A cute halter crop top like this floral one from Boohoo ($32) paired with classic denim cutoffs from Forever 21 ($17.80) makes a perfect laid-back look for class or lazing around on the quad.
Skater skirts
Rachael David, a junior at Penn State, noticed that skater skirts are starting to replace bodycon skirts just in time for summer. For an easy daytime look, a simple skater skirt like this Forever 21 number ($12.80) is always a good idea. Pair it with a summery crop top, like this Tobi piece ($52). You can also dress this outfit up with a pair of heels for a night out!
Patterned bottoms
According to Rachael, another big trend in the Northeast is for girls to add “creativity to their outfits in their bottoms” with patterned leggings and palazzo pants “while keeping the rest of the outfit relatively simple.” These fun bottoms in light fabrics for the summer are an effortless way to stand out in the crowd. Paired with a flower headband, they make for the perfect festival look. Free People has some amazing pants like these ($128), but for a more affordable option, Forever 21 is the place to go! Check out their adorable pants, like these in a fun flower print ($27.80). As for leggings, American Apparel features this pair ($32) in a variety of shades and patterns. Try wearing them with a soft tank top like this one from Pixie Market ($25) for a more summery feel.
USA: The Southeast
Rompers
Laid-back Southeastern girls will be seen sporting cute, no-fuss rompers this summer, says Teresa Lopez, a sales assistant at The Electric Boutique in Miami, Fla. Rompers come in all sorts of colors and patterns, like this pink one ($34.99) and this graphic one ($109.99), both from DailyLook, one of our favorite shopping sites. Lightweight, patterned rompers are perfect for the beach, while colorblocked ones can easily be dressed up with a clutch and a pair of heels.
Skorts
Yes, you read that right! You promised yourself you would never wear a skort (again?), and yet the half-skirt, half-shorts trend is making its comeback, according to Lopez. Skorts can actually look super cute and elegant! Take this updated one from Boohoo ($26) for instance; it comes in 11 different colors and will go with just about anything. The new skort shape looks nothing like the baggy, slightly shapeless early version; it’s a more sophisticated, business-casual kind. Downplay it with a simple T-shirt like this Forever 21 basic top ($3.80) for instant summer chic.
USA: The Southwest
High-waisted shorts, crop tops and Converse
Southern collegiettes are channelling their inner hippies this summer. “In general, we’re really into high-waisted jean shorts, crop tops, Converse ($50), layered necklaces, long necklaces… It’s a pretty bohemian/hippie vibe (especially here in Austin!)” says Lollie Ogden, a junior at University of Texas Austin. “People love the Free People look.”
For some cute and timeless high-waisted shorts, try Brandy Melville’s “Reina” shorts ($28) or American Apparel’s acid-washed pair ($58). Forever 21 sells racks on racks of crop tops, but for a bohemian look, we like this floral crop ($5.80) and this cutout one ($15.80).
Daisy-print everything
Corisa Smith, who is also a junior at UT-Austin, has noticed that daisy-print clothes have taken over her school. This girly pattern works just as well on tops and dresses as it does on shorts and pants, and it ties in with the hippie vibe that Lollie mentioned. We love this simple cami from Forever 21 ($12.80) with these Free People shorts ($88), and this adorable skirt from ASOS ($34.50) with this lightweight top from 2020AVE ($13).
USA: The Northwest
Coral and mint
Coral and mint go surprisingly well together, and girls in the Northwest love this trendy color combo. Renee Bucher, a sales representative for Ipnosi in Portland, Ore., has been selling a ton of clothes in these hues lately. For those chillier Northwestern summer days, try pairing some coral jeans like these from ASOS ($92.41) with a cute mint top like this one ($24.75), also from ASOS.
Crochet tops and floppy beach hats
Northwestern girls are getting ready for warmer days by rocking a boho style similar to Texan collegiettes. According to Bucher, crochet tops and big, floppy hats are super popular at the moment. So slip on a crochet top like this poncho from 2020AVE ($32) over your bikini, add a seventies-style hat like this one from Forever 21 ($14.80) and head outside to soak up the sun.
USA: California
Palazzo pants
Palazzo pants are the next big thing in California, says Sam Reed, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles. These wide-leg pants are incredibly chic – and they’re comfy, too! These lightweight black pants from Necessary Clothing ($34.99) and these blush pink ones from Zara ($35.90) with a fitted top from Brandy Melville ($12) are perfect for a cool but elegant look.
Square necklines
Sam has also seen a lot of square-neck clothing around campus. Rock this trend with sundresses like this Urban Outfitters number ($49), or tops like this Elie Tahari steal ($46.79) with colored bottoms. You could also try out this versatile knit top from YesStyle ($34.11) with a pair of jean shorts or a simple skirt.
USA: The Midwest
Maxi skirts and dresses
It’s safe to say maxi skirts and dresses are popular all around the country, but collegiettes in the Midwest are particularly into this summer trend. “I’ve noticed that maxi skirts and dresses are a huge trend here at Ohio State for spring and summer,” says Kelsey Pomeroy, a junior. “They’re so versatile (and super comfy!). You can throw on a crop top for a casual, everyday look or add a cropped denim jacket for those cooler days.” This is another way to create a slightly boho look and make a big impression.
We love this striped skirt from Target ($24.99) and this crochet-top dress from DailyLook ($49.99). Rachel Pasker, a student at St. Ambrose University in Iowa, agrees that maxis are the way to go this summer. She likes that “they keep you cool on hot days and then you don’t have to show your legs if you don’t want to.” Have you tried out the maxi craze yet? If not, this summer is your time to embrace it.
USA: Hawaii
Urban street wear
Hawaiian collegiettes enjoy sunny weather year-round, but this summer they’re switching up their style. According to Sammi Baum, a junior at the University of Hawaii, street wear is becoming increasingly popular, and she loves this trend “because you’re able to look high maintenance with little effort.”
Beanies, five-panel hats, sneaker wedges and baggy, printed T-shirts are just some of the items she’s seen around campus. Shop for graphic tops like this Forever 21 tank ($12.80) and this Juicy Couture muscle tee ($19.99). Wear them with sneaker wedges like these ASH ones ($135.99) and some simple bottoms to avoid overkill.
The United Kingdom
Bright two-piece outfits
British collegiettes love brightly colored two-piece sets for the summer. Georgie Bickerton, a campus correspondent for the University of Leeds Her Campus chapter, says that “these cute matching sets are everywhere, especially in bright pinks and lime greens.” She loves them because “they tend to be really flattering and they’re lovely and summery!”
Boohoo has an incredible selection of matching two-piece outfits, like this Aztec-print crop top ($15) and skirt ($16). Get creative with the print, color and shape!
Kimonos
Another big thing in the UK this summer is trendy kimonos. Florence Christie, a campus correspondent for the Her Campus chapter at the University of Exeter, loves these unusual pieces because they’re “perfect for the UK summer, where it is sunshine one minute and pouring with rain the next.” We love this crochet-hem ASOS number ($43.81) because its short sleeves make it easy to style, such as over a plain top and jeans.
Austria
Backless dresses
Viennese collegiettes are rocking backless dresses this summer. Patricia Garber, a second year at Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, loves these laid-back dresses (pun intended) because she gets to show off the tattoo on her back. LuLu*s has lots of open-back sundresses, like this floral one ($40) and this dressier one ($38).
Jamaica
Crop tops with printed leggings
Crop tops are everywhere, and printed leggings are big in New England, but leave it to Jamaican collegiettes to pair them together! Suzette Bonas, a second year at the University of the West Indies at Mona, says “it’s a great way to add some interesting prints to your outfit and accentuate curvy legs.” For a girly look, go for a white crop like this sleek one from Tobi ($28) and go all out with some crazy printed leggings. American Apparel’s Flamingo Sunset patterned leggings ($42) are sure to make an impression!
Argentina
“Erika” sunglasses
Girls in Buenos Aires are all sporting Ray-Ban’s Erika sunglasses ($115) this season. Tatiana Gutkowski, a second year at Universidad Torcuato di Tella, loves these shades’ understated shape. They are the perfect accessory for all your cutest summer outfits! For a more affordable (but no less cute!) version, try these Urban Outfitters glasses ($14).
Although each region has its own style, why not mix and match trends from around the world? You can shop most of these trends online and get creative. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to import these looks to your corner of the world!