Comfy and Casual Campus Wear

If you've been active on social media lately, it's highly likely that you've seen this meme...

Tweet can be found here.

While this guy's attempt to mimic typical female campus fashion is slightly exaggerated, the humor in it is that it's not necessarily inaccurate. He's really rocking that comfy-chic look, which, in my opinion, is what campus wear is all about. You want to look on-trend, stylish, and relatively put-together, while retaining an aura of effortlessness and, most importantly, a great degree of comfortability. After all, if you have to go to class, you might as well do it looking and feeling good.

Strategic Styling: Layering

If you hadn't noticed, we're coming up on a time of seasonal transition which makes for both variable weather and difficulty when it comes to dressing properly for such conditions. My early morning trek to my 8 am's could feel like a frigid journey across the Arctic tundra as opposed to my walk to my afternoon classes which could comparatively feel like a voyage across the Sahara. From a time perspective, it's not always practical to head back to your dorm to change, particularly if you- like the majority of freshmen- live in East. So, then, what is the solution? One word: layering.

Layering is a functional method of styling which serves a dual purpose in it's capacity to both add dimension to an ensemble and to add warmth. In order to achieve the perfect effortlessly chic look, pieces such as flannels, chambray shirts, oversized cardigans, and versatile zip-ups are key. As the day progresses and the sun hits peak exposure, these items can be easily tied around the waist or stowed in a backpack. Here are some examples of layering techniques I think really worked!!

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These Shoes Were Made for Walking (to class)

A commonplace mantra among women is that "beauty is pain". However, when it comes to campus wear, this motivational maxim is certainly not applicable. In order to get from one class to the next both swiftly and comfortably, you're going to need to cop yourself some sensible footwear. I'd like to politely ask you to forget what you heard about "sensible shoes" and just trust me when I say that sensibility does not negate the potential for aesthetic appeal. Minimalist sneakers such as Converse, Vans, and Adidas are completely on trend at the moment as, I'm sure you've heard, the 90's are coming back in a major way. Some examples of such fashion-forward footwear are shown below. 

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Incorporating Athletic Wear

One sure-fire way to remain casually comfortable throughout the school day is to find a way to fashionably incorporate athletic wear into your everyday wardrobe. Joggers, leggings, and slouchy tees definitely have a place in a chic wardrobe, when paired in a strategic manner. Unless you're aiming for an Olsen-twin-esque, exceedingly oversized grunge look, my suggestion is to stick to the rule that where one article of clothing is oversized, the other is comparatively tighter. For example, this girl pairs her oversized tee with leggings, thus balancing the look. 

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In terms of t-shirts, almost anything can be incorporated into an effortlessly chic ensemble. This goes for concert tees, graphic tees, and even collegiate tees (meaning even more opportunities to rep your school!). Whether you want to wear it oversized, as portrayed by the funny guy in the meme, you want to tie it up, or you just want to wear it the old fashioned way you can't go wrong. 

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Whether you're popping out of bed 15 minutes prior to your 8 am or you're struggling to crawl out of bed for a noon class after a late night study sesh, don't stress, it IS possible to be cute and comfy. Just remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile. (: