Gearing up for college is not simply about finding the right textbooks and stocking up on stationery. While your work ethic and extracurriculars are certainly important factors in defining your academic experience, self-discovery is also a key part of college. And for many of us, our identity is best expressed through fashion.
Including versatile and long-lasting pieces in your wardrobe will allow you to cruise through all your commitments in style. But getting away from campus can be difficult amid back-to-back classes and numerous assignments; which is why shopping from an online women’s clothing boutique is a great way to explore a variety of options without even leaving your dorm.
Our list of essentials will see you through everything from late-night cramming sessions at the library to parties with your friends this term. Here are 7 essentials for every college girl’s wardrobe.
7 Essentials for Your College Wardrobe
1. Unique Accessories
While most of us usually add accessories at the final stage of putting together an outfit, they’re a truly valuable channel for expressing your style. This term, try and reverse the process and start creating looks centered around your favorite iconic accessories. Think along the lines of colorful hair scarves, stylish women’s hats, statement necklaces, and bold sneakers.
While hats and scarves are a great way to style your hair between washes, jewelry, and shoes are reliable conversation starters if you’re feeling shy amongst unfamiliar classmates. Wearing printed socks and artistic pins is also a fun way to display your interests and attract like-minded people to approach you on campus.
2. Stylish Sweat Suits
You may be planning on spending all day in the library working on assignments, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still look cute while you’re at it. Get a set of stylish sweat suits this term, and elevate your comfort with effortless style.
The advantage of sweat sets is that each piece can be styled individually, as well. With cramped dorm rooms or crowded student housing with minimal storage, it’s a huge advantage to own versatile clothing that can be worn multiple ways with other pieces.
Sweat sets are also a reliable way to look put together even if you simply threw them on and ran out the door. And of course, sweat sets are useful to wear to class if you need that extra motivation to hit the gym right after.
3. Go-To Denim
Photo: Pexels/Zen Chung A few good pairs of trusty denim are a wardrobe essential for any college girl. These can be styled with almost anything in your closet, from casual cropped tops and graphic tees to your favorite going-out top or even a crisp white shirt.
Your jeans are the most reliable piece in your wardrobe as they can be styled in versatile ways for different occasions. Simply switching your sneakers for heels can help take the look from a day to an evening affair.
While everyone owns basic go-to denim, you can also take yours a notch higher and use it as a statement piece by opting for an unconventional wash. Or unleash your creativity by sewing patches on the pockets or hand embroidering them.
4. Flowy Skirts
Photo Courtesy Tap into your feminine side with full-circle skirts. Every college girl should own a flowy dress or skirt that immediately boosts her confidence and flatters her natural body structure. Skirts can be worn in multiple ways, and unlike common belief, they are not restricted to merely spring or summer wear.
You can enjoy the flowy fabric of your favorite skirt even in fall by juxtaposing it with solid knits and chunky boots. Alternatively, style your favorite summer dress even in the chill of winter by layering woolen tights and a turtleneck underneath it and throwing your favorite coat on top.
5. Stylish Sneakers
Endless walks around campus are an unavoidable part of college life, which makes it essential to own comfortable shoes that carry you through the day. But even if you’re running late and sprinting to class, you can unabashedly commit to comfort while strutting in style.
Explore the latest sneaker trends making the rounds and add to your wardrobe with chic silhouettes and vibrant colors. From slip-on and eco-friendly options to platform shoes and luxury variants – there’s a sneaker for everyone.
The best part is that a stylish pair of sneakers is a perfectly acceptable footwear choice for a night out spent clubbing with your friends!
6. A Practical Bag
The list of things in a college girl’s arsenal includes a diverse array of objects and paraphernalia. So why should you choose to leave anything behind? A college girl’s ideal bag should hold enough room for everything from textbooks, highlighters, and a laptop, to snacks, lip gloss, and sunscreen.
This is why, investing in a quality leather handbag is a great idea. A fashionable satchel or a spacious tote bag is the ideal vessel to carry all your essentials with you through the day. A practical bag is also something you’ll love to carry on trips with your friends, or through your enriching summer internship.
But if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, there are plenty of vegan handbags to invest in as well.
7. The Dress to Impress
The final essential item in the wardrobe of any college girl is a formal dress that can be worn to all sorts of important events, such as job interviews, internship meetings, dinner with your partner’s family, or even your graduation ceremony.
While black is a classic color that is versatile and flattering for all skin tones and body types, you can also opt for a neutral shade like blue or brown.
Think of this dress as the one that will impress, allowing others to take you seriously and see you at your full potential. This may not be your most worn dress, but it will be the one you rely on to catapult you toward success on important days.
While a knee or calf-length dress is considered appropriate for most formal occasions, you can always take inspiration for new silhouettes and drapes from dresses on runways around the world.
With your wardrobe full of these essentials, your formative college years will be stylish and effortless. Through everything from midnight cramming sessions to theme parties with your friends, these seven wardrobe essentials will have you becoming a fashion icon.
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Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and sharing insight on the latest trends.
