The Best Winter Trends for Female College Students

I think many female college students would agree that it’s hard to look cute without spending an arm and a leg for certain items to add to their wardrobe. Living in Philadelphia, I personally have found it hard to not head for Urban Outfitters or any other name brand stores to buy pieces to make my favorite ensembles. However, after living in the city for a year as a college student I realized I needed to a happy medium—be able to dress cute with cheap finds. As the cold weather started to hit the city this fall, I headed for Center City to find top trends at the best prices this season.
 
1. Leggings/Tights
 
As the weather changes, so must the thickness of the leggings and tights we wear. Leggings have become increasingly popular, especially among college students. From pairing them with sweatshirts and sneakers to long sweaters and boots, the era of leggings certainly won’t be going away anytime soon. Knowing that I needed to find warmer leggings and tights, I knew exactly where I was going in center city—the small, cheaper boutiques. Aside from carrying an abundance of stylish and cheap shoes, if you take the time to look around, you’ll find that these boutiques have everything you’re looking at remarkably cheap prices. A pair of thick, black leggings at Eternity Fashions cost me $10. Although I chose to buy a plain and simple pair, this boutique as well others similar to it carry a variety of colors and patterns to appeal to different looks. Leather leggings have become popular for this winter. However, leather is not cheap or affordable for the average college student, so these boutiques carry pleather leggings that still look cute and keep you warm for those cold days on campus. A variety of tights can be found at these boutiques as well as at H&M.
 
2.   Scarves/Infinity Scarves
 
Although scarves have always been around, they certainly haven’t become less important or stylish
 this winter. One of the best ways to step up your ensemble is by adding some of your favorite accessories. In the winter, one of those accessories will always be a scarf—something that looks cute and keeps you warm; a win-win. I recently bought a cream-colored knit scarf for $10 at H&M, which can be paired with almost any winter ensemble.
My nose and face get super cold in the winter from the freezing weather, and I have found a solution to my problem—the infinity scarf. The thick collar lays around your neck, similar to a regular scarf, but without having the ends dangling. The infinity scarf may be one of the best winter trends to keep you warm and looking fashionable. I can pull it up around my face to keep warm while walking to class in the middle of winter, not to mention it looks cute with almost every outfit. I have found the most affordable and best quality infinity scarves at H&M, ranging from $9 to $13. Boutiques around the city also carry cheap scarves.
 
3.   Oversized Sweaters
 
You just bought leggings and tights. What are you going to wear them with in the winter? The
 answer: an oversized sweater. This may be one of my favorite items to shop for in the winter, only because it’s one of those items you don’t have to buy brand new. For those who love to spend time searching through bulks of clothing in thrift stores, here’s your chance. Last year I became aware of Buffalo Exchange, a thrift store that allows you to trade in old clothing for cash or another item from their store, so there’s a chance that you won’t have to spend any cash on your new favorite oversized sweater. After searching the racks at Buffalo Exchange, I found a few oversized sweaters, some with patterns and some plain, to wear with my $10 leggings. These sweaters are so easy to layer over a long sleeve shirt for the coldest of days. On the days that you feel lazy and unwilling to take the time to pick out a cute outfit, you can throw an oversized sweater on with leggings or tights. You’ll look fashionable while still being warm and comfortable.
Link to Buffalo Exchange website:
http://www.buffaloexchange.com/index.php
 
4.          Combat Boots
 
Although boots may be an obvious trend each winter, they never fail to represent your own particular style. Combat boots especially have become popular paired with long socks bunched underneath.
 Although leather is known to be a better quality material for boots, it also costs a lot more than the numerous faux leather boots seen in boutiques. I purchased my own leather combat boots at Bass outlet store in Hershey, Pa. for $40. I’ve noticed that prices of combat boots in boutiques are not much cheaper than my leather boots. If you’re willing to wait, my advice would be to search for the best sales. If you have time, travel to outlet stores where prices tend to be a lot cheaper. If you’re dying to add combat boots or any other boots to your wardrobe, hit the boutiques where you have the most options and cheapest prices. Don’t forget to search for long, thick socks to wear with your combat boots too!
 
5.   Ballerina Buns
 
When it comes to winter trends, the focus tends to be on clothing and accessories. However, hairstyles often help to pull styles together. Being a dedicated college student, I’m always doing work and getting little sleep. So I tend to not take the time to fix my hair in the morning, which leaves me feeling not fully put together. Although ballerina buns may have been “childish” in the past, they have become one of the hottest hair trends this season. You can show off your cute oversized earrings with your hair pulled up in this pretty bun. And it’s totally fuss-free, since your hair won’t fall in your while you’re taking a test or taking notes in class. The best part about the ballerina bun is that costs absolutely nothing.
 
 
Keep these trends in mind while on you’re on your next shopping spree, and there’s no doubt that you’ll be the most stylish girl strolling down Liacouras Walk!