In Her Campus’ series Closet Check, we’re getting a look inside the closet of a college student, and learning all about how they put together their favorite outfits. In this piece, we’re talking to Abby, a junior from University of Waterloo who’s currently studying abroad in London.
Name: Abby Zinman, 20
Year: Junior
School: University of Waterloo, currently semester abroad at King’s College London
Where do you live? On campus in a dorm
These responses have been edited and condensed for clarity.
The Closet Check
I wasn’t expecting to have much space moving into a university dorm, especially one in a big city like London. But to my surprise, I found my closet and shelving area to be spacious — even more than I needed. Because I’m studying abroad, I couldn’t bring many accessories to maximize space. All I have is some hangers and I’m good to go!
I don’t have much in my closet because I’m studying abroad for a semester — I really didn’t need to bring my entire wardrobe, nor could I ship it across the world. I had to be so selective with what I brought, which forced me to make many style choices I didn’t previously consider. For example, I made sure to include neutral pieces like jeans, but also a few statement items.
CREATING THE FITs
Because I don’t have many options here — or at least as many as I’m used to — my process of choosing what to wear usually starts with ruling out the items I’ve worn in the past couple days. Then, I’ll consider the occasion: If I’m just chilling with friends or doing errands, I’ll dress down; if I’m going to class, I’ll opt for jeans or an equivalent; and if I’m going out for dinner or a club, I’ll wear something nicer. That breaks it down further, and from there I’ll choose to wear whatever piques my interest that day. Another factor to consider is that the weather is super unpredictable in London, so I usually opt for layering — tank tops, sweaters, and jackets — so that I can match the constantly-changing temperatures.
WHAT I’D WEAR TO: AN INTERNSHIP INTERVIEW
This is my go-to interview outfit (although I usually don’t consider what I’m wearing on the bottom half, thanks to Zoom interviews). My staple piece here is my Aritzia blazer cuffed at the sleeves. I find this item to be the perfect balance: it’s not too flashy, but it’s still unique. This was one of the first blazers I’d ever bought because it’s so versatile and comfortable — the latter is especially important for a stressful situation like an interview. Underneath, I have my favorite white bodysuit from an incredible Canadian store called Dynamite. I wear these bodysuits for any and all occasions; they can easily be dressed up or down. My classic dress pants are a simple staple to balance the patterned blazer, and for shoes, I chose some shiny black boots to add to the professional vibe. In general, I tend to keep it simple with accessories — I wear the same necklace and earrings for all occasions. Finally, I tied my hair back with a claw clip to neaten up the look.
WHAT I’D WEAR TO: A WEEKEND HOUSE PARTY
I started this outfit with my tight, slightly flared leather pants; I always save these for fun nights out. IMHO, leather pants are an easy way to elevate a look — and this particular pair is super flattering, too. Another amazing piece I swear by is this tight red tank top. I tend to have trouble finding cute party tops because I have larger breasts, so I can’t just throw on a little top and call it a day. That’s why I love this shirt, because it offers lots of support while simultaneously being cute and flattering. I also love the red and black color combo — the bright red top complements the leather pants really well. For jewelry, I wore my staple necklace and earrings, and threw on a ring for a little something extra. And for shoes, I chose my white sneakers — the ones I don’t care about as much, because let’s get real: parties can get messy.
WHAT I’D WEAR TO: CLASS
Once again, I started this outfit with the pants, which are a recent purchase from Winners (another Canadian store, similar to Marshall’s). Like many of my other clothing choices, these pants can be dressed up or down — which is especially important given that I was so selective about the clothes I brought to school. Plus, the pattern adds a more mature look, as opposed to leggings or joggers, which were all I wore in high school. I added a tight black long-sleeve — a basic piece I swear by, especially with a more eye-catching item like these pants — which is slightly cropped, to break up the layers. And this jacket is the pièce de résistance! I love a good jean jacket, but I especially appreciate how unique this one is — not only because it’s black, but also because of the fun collar. This outfit showcases some interesting, distinctive pieces without creating any clashes, and it’s a great way to layer for fall weather. It’s also not overly basic or neutral, without being too over-the-top for class. Finally, to stay on the black-and-white theme, I wore my Puma laceless sneakers — a go-to since high school.
WHAT I’D WEAR TO: A DINNER DATE
My favorite part of this outfit, and arguably the best part, is this magenta blazer. You can probably tell I’m in a bit of a blazer phase, and this one started it. (Thank you, Dynamite!) I absolutely adore the color — it’s truly a statement piece, adding some excitement and making the outfit more special. This blazer is perfect for a dinner date with friends or a S.O. because it’s both feminine and classy. I paired this blazer with a plain black tank top and, in efforts to ensure the outfit wasn’t too fancy, added a pair of skinny blue jeans. These particular jeans are a great go-to because they’re not too tight and match well with virtually any top, sweater, blazer, or jacket. As for shoes, I decided on some new white sneakers (but not my party ones, though, since a nice dinner is more formal and less mess-prone). These sneakers go perfectly with the blazer because they have pink accents on the back — which, I’ll admit, was one of the main reasons I bought them. Aside from my classic jewelry choices, I also decided to tie my hair half-up, half-down — this is my favorite one-minute hairstyle to try when I’m looking to mix it up.