Fall fashion is all about heavier fabrics and darker autumn colors — and tweed fits the bill. But the thought of tweed conjures up images of our grandmother’s skirts or worse, Sherlock Holmes-esque attire — so the prospects of wearing it seem slim.
Regardless of whether you’re wearing Chanel or Target, tweed will almost always look outdated, and might not be the best look to sport on campus. There are ways to incorporate it into your outfit, though, and as it’s a “grown-up” fabric and can be super sophisticated, every collegiette™ should own a little something tweed. Here are some of my favorite pieces!
Casual Blazer
J.Crew’s Vintage Tweed Jacket ($198) uses bold and bright colors to modernize the old-time look of tweed without losing its classic touch. This jacket is simultaneously timeless and contemporary and is definitely a campus-friendly wardrobe essential!
Not Your Boyfriend’s Blazer
Though this Vanessa Bruno Metallic Tweed Jacket ($184.50) features a classic dark grey, its raised shoulders give the piece a more nouveau look. Keep its use to the colder months, though — wearing this blazer when it’s warm out will only look out of place!
Two-Tone Skirt
In almost every case, avoid wearing tweed skirts unless you are trying to look prude or you’re dressing up as a schoolgirl for Halloween! This See by Chloe Tweed Combination Skirt ($91) updates the look by patching it with a different fabric so that the tweed isn’t the main focus of the piece. Interspersed throughout the tweed itself are bits and pieces of colored thread, so that it, too, has a more modern look.
Suspended Harem
Rachel Roy’s ‘Don’t Keep Me In Suspense’ Pants ($119) tweak the classic notion of tweed bottoms, which are typically straight-legged, business casual pants. This pair takes on the air of a harem pant, so that it’s work-appropriate in the high fashion environment — or appropriate in general for the fashion-conscious collegiette™.
The Cape
Tweed is easiest to wear as outerwear, and this Liquorish Tweed Cape ($80) is the perfect example. It’s heavy enough to be a sound fall/winter coat, but the material is also light enough to move and drape over the shoulders. The large buttons serve to accent the otherwise natural-colored piece, and the funnel-neck top is both practical (it’ll keep you warm!) as well as fashionable.
Will you be wearing tweed this season?