Choosing what to wear in college is tough. You may say you don’t care, but first impressions count, and when you’re heading into such an important time in your life, one where you really want to do well, it can really pay off to feel confident in your own skin, and this means wearing clothes and outfits that make you feel empowered.
When you’re thinking through it yourself, yes, you’re probably going to overthink it, which is why you’re here reading this post, and don’t worry, we’re here to help. Today, we’re going to explore eight amazing outfit ideas to get you thinking on what you want to wear to college.
After all, you don’t want to scream ‘freshman’ on your first day. You want to feel like you belong, and that college is the place you’re meant to be. It all comes down to making yourself feel as comfortable as possible.
Let’s get straight into it!
#1 Just Add a Belt
Hold up, hold up, before you really get too involved and excited in picking out the best outfits you possibly can, and spending a fortune in the process, remember that accessories and little details and turn a losing outfit into a winner. We’re going to talk a little more about this later, but a key detail to always remember is the belt.
A good statement belt never goes wrong and can turn your outfit up to gas mark 11 in literally seconds. As someone who wants to feel comfortable in what they’re wearing, never live your life without a collection of statement belts within easy reach. Just shop around and look for some great deals.
Everywhere sells belts, and whether you’re looking for a modern classic, or you’re looking for something else a little bit vintage, there’s plenty of choices out there to indulge yourself in.
#2 Classic Blazer and Jeans
One of our firm favourites, and seemingly a style and fashion trend that doesn’t seem to go out of style… ever. It’s crazy. The classic blazer and jeans look is simply stunning and doesn’t cost a lot to put together. Whether you’re wearing this outfit as a standalone outfit, or you’re just too lazy to pick anything else, this is always a winner.
Literally just pick your comfiest jeans – ripped knees are also a winner – and throw on a blazer. Colour-coordinating is also key here since having too many contrasting colours is going to make you massively stand out, unless that’s what you’re going for, in which case go right ahead!
#3 Simple Demin Never Fails
Hand in hand with our style above, Demin is always a winner, and another trend that never seems to die… not that we’d want it too! Whether you’re going to class, a dinner date, a romantic date, hanging out with friends, or attending frat parties, a simple denim dress will never fail to impress.
What we love about a simple denim dress the most is the fact it’s low-key sexy, which makes you feel great without even really trying. What’s more, sexy dresses like this have a low price tag, so you can really go all out!
#4 Mod Plaid
“If you’ve heard of Emma Chamberlain, then why are you even here reading this? Head over to Emma’s Instagram for endless outfit ideas that are going to leave you to feel confident and like yourself x100. We love Emma’s casual style, such as a plaid mini skirt with a crop top. It’s simple, affordable (usually under $20), and looks great,” shares Tina Smith, a college writer at Boomessays and Essayroo.
#5 Midi Dresses
While you’re probably not going to want to indulge yourself in a Midi Dress during winter (see below for some inspiration there), for spring, summer, and fall, there’s nothing better. ‘Cute’ doesn’t even begin to cover what a midi dress can do for your look and having some buttons on the front is going to melt the heart of every passerby.
Want a little extra? Chuck on a denim jacket, or even just tie the jacket around your waist for some extra depth, colour, and texture. You won’t be able to go anywhere without having a smile on your face.
#6 A Matching Sweatsuit Piece
Popular throughout the 90s, and the 00s, and the 10s, you can’t seem to ever go wrong with a matching sweatsuit. Okay, let’s be real, you can, but when you do it right, matching sweats is a hardcore winning outfit.
Just search up your favourite brands, Adidas being a firm favourite for ourselves, and enjoy what you find! If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, nail polish and XL hoops are always going to take this outfit to the next level.
#7 Always Look for Statement Details
“It doesn’t matter what outfit you go for (sometimes), the real attention is always in the details—the simpler and more outstanding, the better. We’re talking about plush bags, big love hearts on the front of your jumper, and ugly-cute boots. Sometimes, a printed bag is all you really need to turn any outfit into a badass one,” explains Sarah Marie, a fashion blogger at Academized and Ukwritings.
#8 Throwback 90s Staples
If you’re more comfortable being a blast from the past, then take a trip down memory lane to the 1990s, and what an era for style this was. There are plenty of things you can do here, whether you’re taking a single style from one year, or combining several.
Now, you may not remember the 90s yourself, but there are endless places to look for inspiration. At this point, it’s worth remembering that you’re not going for the party colours of glowing neon or spandex. That’s probably not going to go down too well with your professors.
Instead, look for the cozy and comfy looks. Think cardigans or jeans. You don’t have to go crazy with the price either, since all these looks are super affordable. However, we’d probably recommend skipping out on the animal print phase as well. Somehow, we don’t think leopard print skin tights would go down too well.
