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Fashionably Competent: How to Dress Up Without Really Dressing Up

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UGA chapter.

You won’t find me wearing the most out there hot off the runway looks to class, but I can definitely appreciate style. Don’t worry my dresser is not full of crazy outfits and my friends frequent my closet. I’m no fashionista, just Fashionably Competent, dishing out what people are really thinking since 2012.

I wake up late 9 times out of 10, however I don’t like going to school dressed like a total bum (all the time anyway). If this happens to you too, don’t worry… here are some tricks that only take minutes but look like you spent a long time can still keep you looking put together.


1. Solid Color Shirts.
These are amazing. Get them in every color and every style. You can wear them 50 times in 50 different ways and no one will even realize it is the same shirt. Plus they look way more put together than a random T-shirt.

2. Cardigans.
These pair well with solid shirts above. The great thing about cardigans is that whether you’re going for the girly look, the loose urban look, the cozy look, the professional look or a variety of other styles, they can all be pulled off with various cardigans.

3. Embellished Headbands.
Seriously, if your hair looks bad and you don’t have time to battle with your hairdryer, do this. The embellishments take notice away from the fact that you neglected to shower and reap a lot of complements. It works well with a low bun, braid, or hair down, if you can get away with it. 

4. Skinny Jeans.
You don’t have to worry about shaving; they give your body a good shape and how hard is it to swap your sweatpants for a pair of jeans?

5. The shoes.
Spring = Flats. They’re easier to walk to class in than flip-flops and look much classier. However sandals are a good option if you want to show off your pedicure. Winter = Boots. Comfortable, easy to match and perfect for legwarmers.

6. Scarves.
Scarves add color and personality, and not to mention are  seasonably versatile. 

And Walla- you never have to wear the same rush out the door and put on Nike shorts and a sorority T-shirt combination again. When you don’t have time to channel the latest runway models, you can still make it to school looking fashionably competent and no one even has to know it only took you 8 minutes.

Sophia Fredericksen is a junior at University of Georgia studying magazine journalism. She has written for a wide variety of publications including Her Campus Ohio University, College Fashion, Thread Magazine, and JAYE magazine. Now she is the Editor of Her Campus UGA. In her free time she enjoys reading fashion magazines, playing dress up, taking pictures and trying new food. She hopes to one day write for a fashion magazine in either New York or LA.