Besides undermining your standout personality, sloppy sweats encourage that “freshman 20,” the annual bloat that afflicts more than first-year kids. Do yourself a style favour: Live campus life like the paparazzi is around the corner and you’re an off-duty celeb.
“Models like Lara Stone and Erin Wasson have mastered the look — think ripped jeans, leather moto jackets and combat boots — while ‘it girls’ Kate Bosworth, Alexa Chung and Rachel Bilson know how to look fab even at the airport, in fedoras, scarves, boyfriend jeans and long vests,” says stylehog.com editor and stylist Julia Seidl, who works with CosmoTV’s Oh So Cosmo crew. Here are some tips on what you need to up your class level this fall:
Denim
If any jeans are designed for sitting in a three-hour lecture, the boyfriend jeans are it. Fans of a closer fit can find comfort, too, with denim like Canadian brand Parasuco’s all-directions-stretch 8-Halle skinny jeans. Seidl says distressed skinnies are also hot — “anything with well-placed holes, frays, even doodles” — and washes from pale grey to acid to light blue to almost black.
Jackets
The moto jacket shares the fashion spotlight with oversized, slightly baggy boyfriend blazers. “Wear either one with skinny jeans, leggings, big boots or ballet flats,” says Seidl. “A plain white tee, long single pendant necklace and a slouchy toque completes the outfit.”
Guy style
Fellows, if you must wear golf shirts, go for one with dash, like the Trip golf shirt from hot Canadian company Quagmire. Seidl’s top guy choices are a simple V-neck white tee, a grey V-neck or shawl-collar cardigan, slim, skinny or straight-leg jeans, plus shirts in stripes or plaid with rolled-up sleeves. Good lookin’ shoes help, too.
Boots and booties
“Thigh-high leather boots were all over the fall’s catwalks, but most students can’t shell out $500,” says Seidl, who is all about runway fashion on a budget. Instead go for flat, leather knee-high boots, granny ankle boots that are kicking it big with the likes of Sienna Miller and Zoe Cravit, and all-buckled-up motorcycle boots. “High-heeled booties, open or closed toe, can take your outfit from class to a night out, too,” she says.
Accessories
A good quality, honking big handbag that can double as a bookbag is a must. And stock up on chunky chokers, bib necklaces, cocktail rings, hats, scarves and belts, all for daytime as well as night. “Never leave the house without at least two accessories,” says Seidl.
“They’re the cheapest and easiest way to make any outfit more current,” she adds.
