This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wash U chapter.
- Denim Shirt. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but I think my life was revolutionized when I bought my denim shirt. The outfit possibilities are endless: with leggings and boots, with dark jeans and flats, unbuttoned with a tank underneath, under a warm sweater, the list goes on. It’s easy to throw on and makes you look put together, and not to mention, it’s super comfy. So if you haven’t already, come see the light. My personal favorite ones can be found from Madewell—they’re pricier but last through a lot of wear and tear.
- Cute sneakers (real sneakers. Converses do not count). I’m not the kind of girl who appreciates having to change multiple times a day (class, gym, class, meeting … give me a break!), so I often wear my outfit for the gym right when I wake up. However, my sneakers are kind of nerdy looking and sometimes they embarrass me. But over the past couple of years, sneaker companies have identified this issue and created lines of comfortable, colorful and cute sneakers. So invest in a pair and wear them all around with your leggings and bright tank. Whether you plan to work out in them or just plan to look like your intentions are good, the sneakers will be more supportive than your boots when you have to trek to Steinberg!
- Statement jeans. When I first saw these jeans in windows, I never thought I would jump on board. Cheetah print jeans? Not my thing. But then, I found a pair that still has neutral jean coloring and they worked out great. I always get compliments on them and they’re actually easier than I thought. Just throw on a solid colored shirt and you’re ready to go! If you think they might be too much for you, start with just a solid color to see what you think, or if you’re adventurous, go wild! Urban Outfitters and Free People have great styles.
- A Real Raincoat. As we all know, sometimes our weather has a mind of its own. Seventy degrees in the morning but pouring once you get out of class? We’ve all been there. While umbrellas are compact, they don’t hold up so well in the wind that usually accompanies our rain. I have a raincoat that’s pretty adorable (you’ll spot me on campus in my navy coat with white polka dots) but it’s not the most effective at keeping me dry. I recommend you forget about the fashion factor for a second and go with dryness. You’ll be glad you did once you get to Whispers.
- The comfiest fleece you can find. So I might be having a love affair with my fuzzy Patagonia fleece, and I know I’m not the only one. It serves a myriad of purposes—it can be a jacket on its own, it can be a layer underneath a jacket, and it can be a pillow when life in Olin just gets to be too much. It’s lightweight and comes in nice colors, but it can also be substituted in for pretty much about any fleece. I just like to feel a little more sophisticated than a pullover sweatshirt.
- Unique Phone Case. Sorry I’m cheating—this isn’t exactly clothing but it’s essential anyway. Originally, it was important to have a different phone case just so you never accidentally picked up someone else’s phone. Now, it’s so much more. Phone cases can be a conversation starter; I know they have been for me! Not to mention, our phones deserve to be protected. It’s also increasingly popular to have a phone case that has a slot for key cards. I haven’t taken that plunge just yet, but I might invest soon.
- Scarf. Style? Warmth? Comfort? All three? Why yes, I AM in fact describing the benefits of a scarf! If you haven’t noticed, a trend for me is being comfortable but also looking put together. Add a scarf to a plain shirt and you’ve instantly taken your outfit to another level with minimal effort. Not to mention, they really do keep you warm during your 10 am walk to class. And there are so many choices you could waste hours looking at them online … but I didn’t endorse that.
- Comfy neutral heels. It may seem like an impossible task, but comfortable heels exist. And why be uncomfortable when you can be comfortable? Yes, it takes a lot of trial and error in the shoe store (this is NOT one of those things you can do online), but your feet will thank you after Linus. These shoes might be an investment, in fact, they probably will be, but if you get them in a neutral color they will go with anything and last for a while.
Images courtesy of Madewell and Urban Outfitters