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

The air is crisp, the leaves are brighter, fall is finally in full swing and there is no better way to celebrate than partaking in all it has to offer. Of course, going to the pumpkin patch is a must, but bringing the nature vibes indoors and decorating for the season never gets old either. Not only that, but it’s the perfect time to switch up your wardrobe and cozy up in some fall fashion. Here are some tips on how to do it when you are a college student on a budget.

Fashion

Fall fashion is great. It’s all about warm tones and chunky sweaters. However, heavier knit clothing tends to be a little more on the pricey side and it’s important to remember most of your fall pieces can’t be worn all year long. So should you really be paying $50 for some yarn with holes? Probably not. This is where thrifting really comes in handy. Instead of going to the mall to get the latest styles, try going to the local thrift store. They will have what you’re looking for too.  Fall fashion trends will never be that different from one year to the next. As long as it’s cozy, it works. Another tip to avoid spending money on new pieces is to upcycle a pair of jeans from last season either by changing the cut of the ankle or throwing in some new holes or distress marks for the perfect pair of ripped jeans.  

Decor

It may be hard for some to not go overboard when the fall scents come back out for the season at Bath & Body Works, but that can really burn a hole in your wallet. Your fall fragrance must-haves don’t need to be expensive this year. Walmart has three-wick fall scented candles for around only $3.00, compared to the regular price of $24.50 at Bath & Body Works for three wicks. Another cheap candle option is Trader Joe’s Vanilla Pumpkin Scented Candle for just $3.99 in stores that is only available for the months of September and October.  

Going outside and finding wildflowers and pinecones works just as well for adding some natural fragrance considering that it is completely free! These things could also double as decoration along with leaves. There are plenty of DIY projects one could do with these items. If DIY isn’t your thing, the local dollar store has a shockingly good selection of decorations for both fall and Halloween such as fake pumpkins and cobwebs.  

Activites

The beauty of fall is that it can be enjoyed for free by anyone just by taking a step outside. Going on a hike is a great way to take in nature and changing of the leaves. It’s pretty to look at and good for your health. This could also be the perfect photo op for your Insta. Photoshoots are another fun thing to do with your besties especially during the fall because there will always be an aesthetically pleasing background. With that being said, you can head to a pumpkin patch and get in some great pics and not even have to make a purchase.  

So grab your best gal pals and get to living your best life while fallin’ on a budget!  

Edited by Katie Carnefix

Rachel is a graduate student at WVU majoring in journalism with minors in Appalachian studies, history and political science. In addition to writing for Her Campus, she is also a publicity intern for Arts and Entertainment and a news intern for Univerisity Relations. She is from Princeton, West Virginia and loves her state and its beautiful mountains. She is passionate about many things including dogs, musicals and the Mountaineers.
Her Campus at West Virginia University