Athleisure has taken over college campuses across America. As a second-year student coming from the College of William & Mary, I’m used to a cute sweat suit being more than satisfactory. A pair of leggings and sweatshirts were the standard daily attire, and if you put the effort in to don a pair of jeans—wow, you might as well be walking the red carpet!
I imagine for most of us American study abroad students, it was quite a culture shock, coming to St. Andrew’s without a single pair of sweatpants in sight during 9 am lectures. Suddenly, jeans and a t-shirt went from feeling overdressed to barely satisfactory. In anticipating my transition to St. Andrew’s, I never realized I would have to navigate a whole new world of fashion alongside academics.
Athleisure is a combination of athletic and leisure wear. In recent years, it has become the norm in social situations where we’d previously value more formal dress, such as meetings, first dates, or going out with friends. Following the pandemic, people have come to prioritize comfort and convenience not only in their free time but also in their work life. In a country full of people who pride themselves on being workaholics and juggling multiple commitments, athleisure has been a way to make fashion more adaptable to these busy schedules. This style of clothing has become not only a lifestyle but a national identity.
Especially for college students balancing a full-credit course load with extracurricular commitments and part-time jobs/internships, athleisure is a practical fashion choice you cannot help but fall into.
For those struggling to put together outfits that meet the level of chicness maintained by fellow St Andrew’s students, don’t fear! Sometimes we’re just overcomplicating it! Several quick, easy additions to your outfits can take them from simply functional and comfortable to refined and fashionable!
- A stylish jacket. It doesn’t really matter what mundane clothing pieces you wear beneath when you pair them with an eye-catching coat. Invest in long-lasting, high-quality outerwear that pairs with almost any color combination. This can be a cool leather jacket, a refined wool coat, or a stylish trench. You can find affordable options at some of the various charity shops around town! Make the coat the main event!
- Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Never underestimate how far a good jewelry lineup can take you. Invest time in finding your basics. Determine whether you’re a silver or gold girl, and create your everyday lineup of necklaces, rings, and earrings. This instantly elevates any outfit, making it appear more well-thought-out and visually interesting. For unique jewelry options, I suggest supporting independent business owners on Etsy!
- Infuse your personality into each outfit. This can be in small ways. For me, it’s doing a new, unique hairstyle every day (my favorite is overnight braids that create effortless waves the next morning—saves me so much time!). For you, it may be wearing a scarf or pair of mittens you’ve knitted yourself, or having a signature, bold makeup look that is unique to you. You want to step up your fashion game without losing your own sense of personality by blending too much into the crowd!
These are just a few ideas that should help ease the stress of the fashion show, which can be part of St Andrew’s academic culture. In adopting these tips, you’ll surely be the most stylish student upon returning to your American college!