It happens every year – for the first week or so of school you try so hard to wake early enough to look nice for class. After the first few days, you know it’s not realistic to try and keep this up. All hope begins to fade, snooze buttons are hit more often, and you regress back to jeans, t-shirts, and sweats. Although there is nothing wrong with sleeping in and being comfortable, you’re brief stint with style doesn’t have to end this way.
There are many ways to adjust your appearance by simply changing your go-to comfort items.
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Let’s start at the top and work our way down:
Instead of a hoodie, wear a denim jacket or blazer.
Oversized, hooded cotton doesn’t flatter anyone and tends to make even the skinniest of girls look bigger than they are. A cuter, more comfortable cover up is the denim jacket. They’re back in style this season and I couldn’t be more excited about it! There’s no greater feeling than realizing that the outdated, denim jacket that we’ve all been saving in our closets since middle school can actually serve a purpose once more. Another adorable and comfortable option for this fall is the cotton blazer. They’re lightweight yet warm and come in a variety of colors and patterns. (Pictured from left: Aryn K® Knit Blazer : $28.97 at Piperlime.com & American Eagle denim jacket: $49.50 at AE.com)
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Instead of a T-Shirt, wear a Crop-top, V-neck or Oxford.
Although the feeling of worn out tees is unbelievably comfy, there are several other equally comfy options that can make you stand out from the crowd on campus! Some of my favorites are cropped tees, fitted v-necks, and lightweight oxfords. (Pictured from left: Pinstripe Woven Shirt: $18.90, Burnout Rose Crop Top: $14.80, Basic V-Neck Tee: $4.80 all at Forever 21)
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Instead of sweatpants, wear leggings.
In place of old sweats – or even yoga pants – a cuter, much less expensive option is leggings. They’re cheap, easily replaceable, and guaranteed to match whatever you’re wearing. Now, with the introduction of jeggings, there are many more ways in which leggings are fashion forward. Ranging from simple cotton/spandex to distressed, acid washed, and patterned fabrics, there is bound to be a pair of leggings that is right for you. (Pictured from left:
Betsey Johnson Gorgeous Leggings: $28.80 at Zappos, Essential Knit Legging: $5.50 at Forever 21, Adi Junior’s Distressed Legging: $21.99 at Target)
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Instead of Flip-flops or Sneakers, wear Gladiator Sandals or Boots.
We must complete the look from head-to-toe. As college students, we spend most of our time walking. We walk to class, to the gym, to the dining halls, etc. For this reason, it is important to choose shoes that are both comfortable and cute.
I love to save money on clothes and shop around for the best deals, but when it comes to shoes, I am willing to splurge on the most comfortable pair I can find. For this fall, I have two shoes of choice.
While we still hold onto what remains of the summer heat, I suggest wearing a comfortable gladiator sandal. Throughout most of fall and winter, I would suggest wearing a comfortable mid-calf or knee-high boot. With so many different styles of both gladiators and boots, there’s sure to be a pair out there for everyone (Pictured from left: Sam Edelman Grady sandal: $76.60, Aldo Horkey boot: $60.00 all at Zappos.com)
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Lastly, define your personal style with the right accessories.
No outfit is complete without accessories. Hats, scarves, or a couple cute pieces of jewelry can truly change an entire outfit and define someone’s style. My personal favorites for fall fashion accessories are beanies, colorful scarves, and chunky pieces of jewelry.
There is much more to dressing well than simply looking cute. In order for us, as young women, to do well inside and outside the classroom, it is necessary that we always have confidence in ourselves. We must be proud of who we are, what we do, and they way we are viewed. Dressing well is one way to always stand out from the crowd and attract positive attention. When we have positive attitudes, we accomplish what we strive for. As my good friend and Miami University sophomore, Melissa Milan, would say, “Dress well, test well.”