My favorite thing about life is that we’re always learning new things about ourselves. I’ve gotten into a new hobby in my early 20s while at college, fashion. I’m not sure yet if I’d want to design my own clothes, but I do know that I love to buy different styles and try new looks. I’ve started collecting different types of clothes and then color coding them in my closet so that all of the colors all pop out. This makes it easier to match various items together. I’ve always been big into organizing. I’ve started collecting shoes, pants, shirts, coats, running jackets, bras — everything. I’m here to list ten of my favorite items that I have bought and made my own. I highly recommend doing it yourself as it has been such a great confidence booster for me, and such a fun way to express creativity in a different way. Here are my top ten fashion items that arguably every 20-something woman would love for her wardrobe.
1. Cute Sweaters for Sweater Weather
Investing in some sweaters is something that can definitely come in handy for a college student that has to walk around on campus in the winter and fall time. The weather can get chilly, especially here in Michigan, but sweaters offer a way to stay warm and also stay fashionable at the same time. I have a sweater dress, some flashy sweaters with glitter, and then I have some classier ones that I like to wear around Christmas time. My favorite sweaters are my red and blue ones with a lacy trim and buttons. I like a tight fit, but I highly recommend finding whatever fit you like best. Whether an oversized sweater or one that fits you perfectly, you can’t go wrong. Find the sweater that appeals to you the most and go from there! Fashion is more than one look. That’s what I love about it — you can design so many different sweaters, and even when wearing the same sweater as someone else, you can make it look different based on what you pair it with and how you wear it.
2. Jeans
This next one probably doesn’t come to a shock for most, as jeans have been in trend for a while. I recommend getting some with lighter washes and some with dark, as some shirts match better with lighter tones and others match better with darker. I also love myself a pair of white jeans even though it gets extremely tough not to stain them. Jeans can be paired well with belts. The best part about them by far though is that they go with literally everything. They’re typically a pale blue color that doesn’t pop out too much, and that can casually go with pretty much any color.
3. Chuck Taylors
I love my Chuck Taylors. I wore them so much my junior year that by the end of the school year they had holes where the pavement would hit the bottom of them. I wore them out, but I got new ones for Christmas and I’m so happy. You can’t go wrong with the white ones. It’s nice to go from a clean white look to that older, rustic and washed look. It’s impossible to keep shoes white in Michigan, but Chucks look cool clean and dirty, so you really can’t go wrong.
4. Knitted Mittens, Hats and Earmuffs
When winter rolls around, there’s nothing better than some good hats and mittens. I think the best ones are the ones that are knitted together and have such a homely vibe to them. I also really like the hats with the fuzzy pom pom on top. It’s cool to find a cute design for a hat. I really like the earmuffs to put over my ears when I’m going for a run in the cold because not only do they protect my ears and look cute, but they also keep my earbuds from falling out, which is a bonus.
5. Matching Bras/Corsets and Underwear
I’ve gotten pretty addicted in this department if I’m being completely honest. I think I have a bra of every color and underwear that matches each bra. I just love matching the bras and underwear together and it’s so comforting to have them match. I highly recommend just matching them for fun, it gives me so much serotonin just organizing them. To be honest, I don’t even wear some of them. It’s cool just collecting them.
6. Crop Tops
Crop tops have been trendy for a while now, but the reason I put them on this list is because I want to make the argument that you can wear crops in so many different ways. I personally am sometimes insecure about showing my stomach but still like to wear crops, so I recommend buying higher waisted things — you can show off in a crop without having to show more skin than you want to. And if you do want to show skin, then you can do that, too. Matching the crop tops with the perfect pants, whether high waisted or not, can be super helpful. You can’t go wrong, it looks great either way!
7. Pajamas with Adorable Sayings
My favorite pajamas I own are ones with panda bears on them that say they can’t sleep. I think having pajama pants that you buy just for you, that are warm with stripes or polka dots or whatever design you like, is the way to go. I love wearing pajamas instead of going to sleep with my clothes on because it gives me a sense of nostalgia from childhood. I still have my Mickey Mouse pajama pants because it’s nice to reminisce on being a kid. I think pajama pants can be nostalgic for everyone, and everyone should have a pair that reminds them of their favorite place or time.
8. Dresses
I used to not own any dresses, but now I have one of each color of the rainbow because I like having options. I have some dresses with spring vibes — a bright yellow one and some red ones with polka dots. I also have a blue one with polka dots as well. Then I have party dresses such as leather and bodycon ones. I have dresses for formals and ones for special occasions. Something about having different colors and ones for different seasons makes me so happy inside. I don’t even know why, it’s just so appealing to the eye.
9. Running Attire
I’m a runner so I have a collection of running jackets and running pants that I like to run outside in. It can also work for anyone who works out in general. I think having workout clothes you feel comfortable in is the first step to a good workout, so you don’t feel uncomfortable in your own skin. I recommend trying out different materials and seeing what fits best.
10. Anything I Missed
This is kind of a miscellaneous section for any other clothes that you look good in that I may have missed. Please don’t confine yourself to one list. Wear whatever you want, I’m sure there are things I missed.
All in all, fashion is a hobby, and a hobby is something to be enjoyed. It’s not a test or a race or anything like that. It’s just for yourself and making yourself feel confident. It isn’t about anyone else. I think it’s easy to put fashion into the category of caring what others think. A friend once told me that clothes are designed to fit you, not for you to fit them, and it’s always stuck with me. You make your fashion and your looks. Don’t let others make your looks for you. Wear not what others encourage you to wear, but wear what makes you happy! I find that fashion is a way you can express yourself and your identity, so next time you go to a big event, know that you look good. Don’t second guess it!