Of all the things we may envy about Carrie Bradshaw, it’s her closet — but while Mr. Big was able to transform what seemed like at least half of their NYC apartment into a glamorous walk-in closet, even he wouldn’t be able to find that much space in our tiny college dorm rooms for a closet big enough for our Louboutins, Manolos, etc…typical collegiette™ attire, right?
In our dreams, maybe. With limited space but a passion for fashion, we resort to picking out key items in our wardrobe to bring to school. As we’re heading home for break (that notable time where we take home those notable items we just never wear anymore and replace them with all the fun, new things we’ll be getting over the holidays!), here are some essentials — besides the everyday jeans and a tee — that are always in my closet at school.
The Quintessential Leather Jacket
As temperatures drop, leather jackets become more and more important in the everyday collegiette’s™ wardrobe. They add edge to any outfit, can be dressed up or down, and are perfect to throw over your going-out outfit on the weekends.
Sweaters: Holiday, Chunky, Casual, and More!
From sequins to sharp shoulders and chunky knits to cardigans, sweaters are my favorite fall-to-winter transition pieces. They can be layered or worn alone, meaning a single sweater can make numerous different outfits — a must when your closet can only contain so much.
The Business Casual Get-up
You never know when you’ll land a job interview, have an important meeting with professors or are invited to an award ceremony, so have at least one business casual outfit on hand so you’re always prepared. Stick with neutral colors so your outfit is appropriate for any occasion.
The Going Out Dress
College students are notorious for having wild weekends, so be sure to dress the part! Every girl going up and down frat row is wearing the same black bandage miniskirt, so have at least one going out dress that’s a little different — just don’t wear it in consecutive weekends so you’re not wearing the same clothes in all your Facebook pictures (admit it…you do take photos into consideration!).
That One Piece You Never Wear…But Love Nonetheless
We all splurge on those items we love but never really wear — for me, it’s this asymmetrical Free People skirt that’s fun to wear but oh-so-impractical — made of lace and chiffon, it’s completely see-through and is more granny-chic than it is campus-chic. But hey, there’s no such thing as being overprepared…right?
Shoes, Shoes…and More Shoes
From classy to comfortable, make sure you have a pair for every occasion! Above are just some of my most-worn, most-loved shoes — there are the electric blue pumps I wear (shamelessly) every single weekend, then there are the flats I rotate through on daily basis.
…Don’t Forget the Boots!
Boots will never go out of style, so it doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of everything — rainboots for puddle-jumping, leather boots you can dress up or down, over-the-knee boots for those cold nights out where pumps just aren’t doing it for you, and of course, the ever-controversial but oh-so-comfy UGGs.
The Everyday Cross-Body
If you’re on a college campus, chances are, everybody has the same Longchamp or Tory Burch tote, so mix it up with a cross-body bag that shows off your personal sense of style while still serving as a practical carry-all.
Accessories: Ordinary to Outrageous
I have my signature charms — my key and my cupcake — for everyday wear, and my larger turquoise pendants to wear as statement pieces. I count crazy feather earrings among my accessories collection for those (surprisingly numerous) times when I dress up as Ke$ha, and I don’t go a day without my must-have watch. And lastly, I consider nail polish a must-have accessory; dark purple is my go-to shade, because it shows off my favorite color as well as matches most of my outfits.
Whatever your style, what’s your college closet must-have?