Everyone knows that first impressions are the most important—that’s why we all dress to the nines the first couple of weeks of school. However, where is a girl to begin when choosing her back-to-school outfits? How do you take your summer looks into the cooler seasons? Lucky for you, I’ve spent my days researching fall’s top trends and budget-friendly finds under the shade of the big trees near Olin, while choosing not to believe that summer is truly over.
Trend 1: denim on denim. If you regularly browse street-style fashion websites, like the Sartorialist or the Man Repeller, you are familiar with this trend. While celebrities like Rihanna or Kate Bosworth wear dark jeans with a light wash denim shirt, aka chambray, why not rock this style on campus or in STL? It’s super simple and very chic.
http://oteea-land.com/2012/03/26/celebrity-fashion-crush-denim-on-denim/
Madewell, $54.50
Trend 2: never underestimate the power of a sundress. It takes a while for the temperature to drop in the sauna of Saint Louis, so I promise you will get a lot of wear out of your dresses. The bonus: layer with a loose sweater or leather jacket, and you can carry your sundresses into the fall. This sundress from Urban Outfitters has a great color, fabric, pattern, and cut that will seamlessly take you from summer to fall, and even into winter if layered properly.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com…
Trend 3: leather anything. This may be a little too much for some people, and the vegans and vegetarians are probably ready to bite my head off for endorsing the wear of the material, but faux-leather shorts, pants, booties, and skirts are sweeping the runways, and soon will be sweeping the pathways of Wash U. Word of warning: make sure to invest in quality leather leggings before you wear them to Harry’s or Coliseum, because if you tend to get a little too aggressive with your dance moves, they might just rip right down the center seam. My advice is to make sure they are well made and don’t wear brightly colored underwear. Lesson learned.
http://www.nastygal.com/clothe…
http://www.nastygal.com/clothe…
Topshop leggings, $56
Trend 4: camouflage. You know, just in case you are ever running from your Management 100 TA for not turning in your case study, and you need to hide in the WUSTL foliage to gain some time to complete the assignment, camo print clothing is your trendy solution. The design is also a major fall trend this season, and while it may seem overly masculine, I promise pairing camo jeans with a white silk blouse, black booties, and a pop of color on a statement necklace will make you look effortlessly stylish and not like a redneck deer hunter.
Billabong jeans at Lulu’s $66
Trend 5: statement necklaces. I can personally promise you that statement necklaces will never go out of style. For girls that have a more classic and simple esthetic, pairing a bright or heavily embellished necklace with dark jeans, black equestrian boots, and a white t-shirt is an easy and cost-effective way to transform any outfit. Not only is the accessory season-less, but it also allows you to take your look from day to night.
Vince Camuto necklace, $48, Nordstroms
Zara, $29.90
Trend 6: booties and military boots. This type of footwear is, in my opinion, the most practical and versatile. You can wear them all year round, paired with leggings and a big, comfy sweater in the cooler months, and under loose and flowing sundresses in the spring and summer. This season, military boots are becoming increasingly popular, and while they are identical to the ones that the ROTCs wear around campus and can be at times intimidating, they add some edge and comfort to any outfit. I love the idea of a black or grey military boot contrasted with a white dress or skirt. And let’s not forget about booties. These shoes will be perfect for the daytime, nighttime, the sticky ground of frat basements, and the slippery dance floor of Coliseum. Try these boots in other colors besides black and brown for an extra-stylish finish to any outfit.
Steve Madden, $99
http://www.stevemadden.com/Item.aspx?id=52223&np=595
Lulu’s $76 http://www.lulus.com/products/o-neill-taylor-jade-suede-knotted-ankle-boots/110074.html