Transitioning from high school to college doesn’t purely have to be an academic and social transition. Think of it as an opportunity to change the way you dress. Fashion in high school can be very limited by dress codes, social conformity, and how tolerant you are of what other people think—and say—about the clothes you wear. Based on my own high school experience, I saw the same things being worn everyday by the majority of girls. They rotated between their various Vera Bradley handbags, Ugg boots, and Sperry’s. Walking through the halls, I spotted countless generic company T-shirts, always paired with a zip-up jacket with ‘Aéropostale’ or ‘Hollister’ plastered across the front. If they weren’t wearing that I-just-rolled-out-of-bed combo, they had on low-rise bootcut jeans and wore their North Face jacket all day long. Well, I have to say, girls… you can do better. Here’s my guide (with links to some collegiate favorites) on how to do just that.
Collegiate Staples. If you want to go full-on preppy, get some Lilly Pulitzer into your closet ASAP (wearing Lilly in college is sort of like wearing Vera Bradley in high school, except more on-trend now). Scour Rue La La and Hautelook for a Jack Rogers sale (keep an eye out for Lilly sales, too!) so that you can have your very own Navajo Thong Sandals that are donned by so many chic collegiates on campus.
Handbag. Ditch the Vera Bradley, well…everything. I’ve spotted loads of freshman girls with their battered VB wristlets from high school. Trade up to a sleek ID holder and key ring. It’s time to grow up; at least for your handbag. College girls favor the Longchamp Le Pliage (I’d go for the Large size), and if you’re looking for a laptop purse, Graceship is the way to go. Prefer something even more practical? That’s fine—backpacks are still cool. If you’re looking to trade-up for college, retire your 4-year-old monogrammed L.L. Bean for a chic snakeskin backpack or an I-don’t-have-to-try tie-dye one. Instead of filling it with heavy textbooks to and from class, pack it with cute notebooks like ones from Jordi Labanda and a sleek MacBook Pro, the laptop of choice here at W&M. (Don’t worry though– we’re not Apple snobs. For those in the market for a new laptop, whether you’re a Mac or a PC, the Tribe Computer store has a variety of options.)
Outerwear. It’s not socially acceptable anymore to wear your beloved North Face all day. It’s outerwear, and that’s it. Invest in a wool peacoat, or check out B.B. Dakota or Calvin Klein for a great selection of winter coats that are ten times more fashionable (and even warmer) than a North Face.
Boots. Uggs are not the boot of choice here on campus. There are some people who still wear them, but they’re definitely not as ubiquitous as they were in high school. Most collegiates opt for a more sophisticated, practical (something $200 sheepskin boots are not), and all-around versatile yet stylish option—the equestrian boot. You can get a pair with a wedge for a more polished look, or a pair with a low, sturdy heel for more of an everyday boot. If you’re more of an edgier gal, go for a durable and fashion forward combat boot. The low-heeled, always fashionable ankle boot is a great choice, as well. Wear these popular boot options with dresses, jeans, or the college favorite: leggings.
Pants. Banned in my high school, leggings are all the rage in college. Girls frequently wear them with boots—usually of the aforementioned equestrian style—and with an oversized chambray shirt (because unless you’ve toned your butt at The Rec, leggings generally aren’t accepted as pants). For a more pant-like legging, I personally love my pair of J.Crew Pixie Pants (they are ‘can’t live without’ worthy). Not comfortable sporting such a tight-fitting style? Go for some jeans, as long as they aren’t the low-rise bootcut ones with the branded back pockets that you wore in high school. Opt for a cute pair of dark-wash skinnies in a mid-to-high-waisted style for optimal butt-flattering and leg elongation (yes, jeans can do those things!).
Makeup. You know how 90% of the girls in high school wear makeup? Well, it’s pretty much the opposite here at W&M, since we’re a pretty chill crowd. We don’t have to be close up and personal with the rest of the school 8 hours a day anymore, so we’re not particularly out to impress anyone. Not a lot of girls wear makeup here, and when they do, it’s hard to tell. The ‘au naturel’ look rules, and barefaced is the new liquid liner-foundation-bronzer combo. Look fabulous AND natural by curling your lashes and using a bit of brightening concealer on spots; you’ll be good to go!
So that concludes my guide on how to switch your high school fashion wardrobe over to a more mature college one. Please remember that this article was written based on my high school experience, so it might not match up to what trends you spotted in your school. I hope you enjoyed it, and GOOD LUCK freshmen!