College campuses can be great places for spotting new fashion trends. And no, I’m not talking about the usual oversized shirt and leggings look, either. We’re talking about actual fashion trends today. And while it may be a little less frequent on campus, it’s there. Here’s what you’re going to see the most of this semester on your campus, and who knows? Maybe you’ll find your style getting a little makeover in the process!
Let’s start from the top and work our way down. You’re probably going to be seeing more people wandering around in statement glasses, whether that be sunglasses or regular glasses. We’re seeing bigger and thicker frames with funky colors or even two-toned color schemes. If you’re one of those people blessed with 20/20 vision but still like the looks of glasses, don’t worry! You can easily buy a pair of clear lenses and rock the look yourself. If you’ve been on the hunt for a new pair of fun glasses that won’t drain your already struggling college bank account, places like Forever 21 and Primark have tons to choose from! For those of you who want to follow the trend but also have to stick with your prescription, Warby Parker is affordable and has some of my favorite frames for regular glasses and sunglasses.
Photo via @scoutthecity on Instagram
Pom-pom beanies seem to have made a comeback as well. Sure, you see them all the time on toddlers, but I feel like the 18+ crowd hasn’t been as into them… until now. I bought one in New York City, mainly because I was there in December and didn’t pack a hat, but also because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone a little. It has a pom-pom. A big one. And I love it. I got mine at Top Shop for $26 which isn’t a bad buy, and they offer student discounts!
Image via I Am Style-Ish blog
Jackets. Everybody knows a good jacket can make an outfit. The hottest thing right now? Oversized, distressed denim. I have one and I wear it all the time. I used to hate denim jackets because my arms always felt restricted, but with the new oversized trend, that’s not an issue at all! Finding a jacket like this is pretty easy, too. They’re in just about any clothing store you can imagine, but Forever 21 seems to have the most extensive collection. And the best part? You can throw it on over just about anything and it’ll look good.
Photo provided by Jordyn Rowland
As for tops, we’re seeing a lot of cropped and neutral. And turtlenecks seem to be around a lot, which I love. I tend to combine all three. Cropped sweaters are super fun and in right now, and they are perfect for transitioning from winter to spring, so stock up! My go-to look with a cropped sweater is very similar to this outfit, and the best part? It’s so practical. It’s comfortable, chic, not too dressy for a normal day on campus, and not too casual for a night out either.
Image via Glamour magazine
As for bottoms, let’s talk about a few of the denim trends. First up, we’ve got the black cropped jeans, much like in the picture below. Whether they’ve got slits in the knees or not, a good pair of black cropped jeans are basically a necessity this year. They go with everything, and they can jazz up any outfit. We’re also seeing the “Mom jean” make its way into the 18-21 crowd. I’m not quite sold on these yet, but they’re definitely hot right now. And here’s a tip: if you’re like me and are a little wary of this trend but still want to try it out, head over to a local thrift store and do some digging! I’d much rather pay $6 for an old pair to test with versus $70 for a new pair that I end up hating.
Photo via @juliavaughn on Instagram
And finally, the shoes. All of the shoes! Who doesn’t love shoe shopping? It’s like therapy for me. In fact, I bought a pair while writing this article, so… yeah. Anyway. What’s hot in shoes right now? Metallic. Mules. Either one or the other, or combined, metallic shoes and mules are so in right now, it’s insane. They’re all over the place. Whether it’s a pair of metallic gold sneakers or plain black mules, you’re bound to see at least one variation of these two trends on campus every day. And like the hats, don’t be afraid to add a little bit extra, like these! Nothing is off limits these days, including giant red pom-poms.
Photo via @scoutthecity on Instagram