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

Spring is finally here, and with Spring comes sunny weather. That is unless you live in North Carolina, where it is 32℉ one day and then 85℉ the next, making it nearly impossible to keep your wardrobe small as you cram your winter and spring clothes into a dorm closet. Whether you live somewhere with ever-changing weather or a climate that is constant, the “off-duty” look might just be for you.

What is “off-duty” dressing, might you ask? Well, there isn’t one specific dress code that describes off-duty, but it is most always categorized as street style. The most common descriptor is model-off-duty, when a model like Kendall Jenner or the Hadid sisters steps out when they are off the job in a stylish outfit that they just wear to run errands. These outfits are typically very casual but chic at the same time- something that is comfortable yet still catches the eye. If you want to achieve this off-duty vibe with your wardrobe this Spring, here is some inspiration. 

PRINCESS DIANA

For the first person of off-duty inspiration is the impeccably dressed Princess Diana, who knows not only how to dress up but also how to chicly dress down. She exemplifies this combination perfectly through her pairing of a sophisticated blazer and a graphic sweatshirt. The look is giving dressed down but also ready for business. To achieve this look, grab your favorite sweatshirt, a pair of jeans, boots, a blazer (any color works!), and a baseball hat. We chose a sweatshirt that featured Diana on it as a little homage to the icon. The look is perfect for a chilly Spring day, and if it is hotter out,  you can replace the sweatshirt with a t-shirt and wear sneakers instead of boots.

Sweatshirt,$53, by ViableNYC on Etsy. Blazer, Stylists Own. Jeans, Models Own. Boots, Stylists Own. Hat, $34.99, by Harry Styles Shop.

Princess Diana frequently dressed wearing “statement knitwear” in her day-to-day street style looks. She was often seen wearing bold sweaters paired with biker shorts- an obviously disparate style compared to other members of the royal family. This style can easily be recreated using items almost everyone has in their closet. We achieved this look using a replica of Diana’s “Fly Atlantic” sweatshirt and some orange biker shorts. To complete the outfit, the model put on some sunglasses and threw a gym bag over her shoulder to achieve the perfect off-duty look inspired by the fashion icon Princess Diana. 

Sweatshirt, Stylists Own. Biker Shorts, Stylists Own. Shoes, Models Own. Sunglasses, Stylists Own. Bag. Stylists Own. 

MODEL

If you want to go for the traditional off-duty look, then model off-duty is the vibe for you. There is not one specific model that we looked at when styling our outfits, but Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and singer Olivia Rodrigo served as our biggest inspirations. For a more toned-down outfit, we combined a pair of black trousers, a black leather jacket, sunglasses, and a fun graphic t-shirt to tie the look together. Graphic tees with funny slogans are all the rage right now, and fit perfectly into a model-off-duty look. The shirt we chose was pulled straight from Olivia Rodrigo’s Instagram with the slogan “I Love Christian Bale” on it, because who doesn’t? 

Leather Jacket, $200, by BLANKNYC. T-shirt, Stylists Own. Pants, $148, by Anthropologie. Shoes, Models Own. Sunglasses, by Chanel, Stylists Own. 

If you are looking to stand out with your off-duty look, Bella Hadid can bring you some inspiration. The model is known for her love of unique vintage pieces you will likely not find anywhere else. She has been seen frequently shopping at thrift stores, which is a great place to find pieces when recreating her style. We recreated one of Hadid’s looks by grabbing a fun printed skirt and pairing it with a colored top, and of course, adding some sunglasses to finish it off. We threw a white blazer on top, adding versatility depending on the weather. This look will definitely make you stand out- in the best way possible!

Crop Blazer, $158, by Anthropologie. Top, $50, by Anthropologie. Skirt, $98, by Anthropologie. Shoes, Models Own.

PRINCESS KATE

Going back to royal inspiration, we have Princess Catherine or “Kate” for short. Being an active member of the royal family, Kate’s street style is rarely ever seen, but looking back almost two decades ago to her “pre-royalty” days, you can draw some fantastic Y2K inspiration if you want to go for a more “party-girl” vibe or even a casual “country-club girl” vibe. During one of her nights out partying at a club with her friends, Kate wore a bright, sparkly, neon look that is perfect if you want to go over-the-top but still casual. She wore a green sequin halter top, with bright yellow athletic shorts, black boots, and neon pink leg warmers. We swapped the yellow shorts for pink shorts to make the look more cohesive, but any combination of colors could work since this look is more focused on being loud and fun.

Top, Stylists Own. Shorts, Stylists Own. Bag, Stylists Own. Boots, Stylists Own.

Princess Kate is well known for her elegant style, and this can be seen even in her day-to-day looks. She often wears outfits with a classic silhouette and is mostly seen dressed modestly while still remaining fashionable. In this specific look, Kate is seen in a casual knitted sweater paired with a collared shirt underneath, but she enhances the classic look by adding a white skirt and brown belt. This is an example of an easy way to “spice up” or upgrade an outfit. We closely recreated this look using a knitted sweater, white collared shirt, white skirt, and brown belt- all very close duplicates to Princess Kate’s pieces. If you want to look chic and refined while still adding a unique touch to your look, this outfit is a perfect way to achieve that. 

Button Down, Stylists Own. Sweater, $50, by Quince. Skirt, $99.50, by Talbots. Belt, Stylists Own. Boots, Stylists Own. Bag, Stylists Own. Sunglasses, Stylists Own.

You may have noticed one piece translated through multiple looks, and that would be the pair of vintage Chanel sunglasses. Every off-duty look is not complete without a pair of sunglasses, and these are the perfect pair. Not specifically because they are Chanel, but the big frames and legs that wrap to the head give the cool-girl look that completes every look.

STYLISTS: Cameron Crews and Ava Stewart

HAIRSTYLISTS: Dahlia Bagley

PHOTOGRAPHER: Cameron Crews

MODELS:  Genesis Ramirez, Eleanor Slyman, and Leah Moseley.

LOCATIONS: Hillsborough Street

CLOTHES PROVIDED BY: Cameron Crews and Ava Stewart

Cameron Crews is the president of Her Campus at NC State. She is responsible for publishing all articles, leading meetings, encouraging all staff, and overseeing the entire chapter. This is her fourth year on Her Campus and her third year as President. Outside of Her Campus, Cameron was the Editor-in-Chief of her high school’s yearbook, which she helped lead to being awarded the best book in the entire state and honored at Columbia University’s scholastic journalism awards. She worked as an intern at Southpark Magazine in Charlotte, NC, where she edited articles, conducted interviews, and assisted the editors. In the Summer of 2023, she attended Regents University in London, England, where she took fashion classes from high players in the fashion industry who have worked with the likes of Andy Warhol, Alexander McQueen, Christian Siriano, and more. She also had the opportunity to interview Brendan Fraser immediately after he won his “Best Actor” Oscar at the 2023 Academy Awards. She interned with one of Hollywood's top stylists Tara Swennen in Summer 2024. She is a senior at NC State University majoring in Communications with a minor in Journalism. After graduation, she hopes to move to LA or London and work in the fashion industry as either a fashion editor or celebrity stylist. Cameron was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, with her younger brother and dog, George Bailey. She enjoys shopping, watching movies, listening to music, writing, hanging out with friends, and traveling in her free time. She is a huge Taylor Swift and Harry Styles fan and has seen them both in concert multiple times. She is also a movie aficionado with some of her favorites being Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood, Barbie, Lady Bird, the Breakfast Club, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
My name is Katie Barrows and I am a writer with a passion for all things related to lifestyle, wellness, relationships, and more. My goal as a Her Campus member is to create content that inspires readers on various aspects of life, from health and well-being to personal growth, while also writing on intriguing, enjoyable topics. I especially love the aspect of community and connections that I have built through HC. Currently, I am a senior at North Carolina State University, pursuing degrees in communications/public relations and business administration. I also have a minor in social work, and actively work with many nonprofit organizations. Outside of my academic and writing pursuits, I love fitness and the outdoors, as well as beauty, makeup, and skincare. I'm also an avid fan of the TV show "Love Island." Looking ahead to life after graduation, I hope to work in the field of public relations and marketing, using my education and writing skills to help organizations effectively convey their messages, build strong brand identities, and connect with their target audiences.