I hate that question, “How would you describe your style?” No one’s ever asked me it (besides quizzes from BuzzFeed and Seventeen magazine), but it always throws me off. Um…stuff I like? A lot of black? Comfortable clothes but also clothes that aren’t comfortable? For the most part, I know my style and I know that discovering your style in college isn’t always easy. Personally, I don’t think style can be summed up in just a few words. It’s a journey.
Hell, going into freshman year I had bought so many things I’d always wanted to wear and never did. I was all “Hey! I’m going to redefine my style entirely!” buuuut I ended up wearing almost the same things I always wore. Not because I wasn’t confident enough to wear the new things, just because I’d realized that what I liked wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to wear. I’m a senior now and I know better. My style is more flushed out. Without further ado, here’s how to really hone in on your style while in college (or even after).
Pssst…While on your journey to discover your style, definitely take note of my post How to Use Pinterest to Plan Your Wardrobe. Pinterest is pretty handy while trying to discover your style in college.
1. Consider Campus Trends
Note that I didn’t say copy. See which trends you may want to adapt or try for yourself. Also, note trends you won’t be following. For example, baseball caps are super popular on my campus but I know that’s not a trend I want to rock for myself. On the other hand, brown Timberland boots are popular on campus in the winter. I like those but I know I’m not a huge fan of brown, so I bought myself black Timberlands. Boom! Trend adapted for my taste and style.
2. Declutter Your Wardrobe
Since you’ll be moving into a small dorm with very limited closet space, now is the perfect time to do so. This is a very helpful way to see which pieces you really love and wear the most. I’ve got an entire guide to decluttering your wardrobe, so I won’t go too much into detail on this one.
3. What Makes You Want to Be Photographed?
Hear me out on this one. What outfits do you wear just make you feel like you belong on a fabulous Instagram feed somewhere? Which outfits that, when you wear them, make you feel 100% you. So you, that if someone took a photo of you in it, you could confidently say, “Yes! That picture is absolutely ME in a photo.”
Personally, I’m all smiles when I’m wearing polka dots or patterned dresses. Black and white polka dots always make me feel like I’m living my best life. I also love wearing my lemon or rose printed dresses, something about fit and flare dresses always feels so me! They also make me feel most confident. I feel the same about heart-shaped sunglasses. I always take note of the pieces I put on first when prepping for a blog photo shoot.
If you’re not one for photographs, in a simpler sense, you simply must consider the pieces you always reach for.
4. What’s Your Sartorial Signature?
This is a question NYLON magazine always asks their contributors and it fascinates me. Is it clothes with skulls? Statement glitter booties? Your vintage leather jacket? Mine is quite possibly my favorite, under $10, oversized, white heart-shaped sunglasses. Almost all of my blog photo shoots feature them and I wear them to class on the reg.
5. Figure Out How to Work in Comfort
In college, it’s important to consider that you’ll be spending a lot of time doing the following:
- Walking around campus to events, friends’ dorms, classes, the library
- Sitting in lectures
- Sitting in the library
- Sleeping
That being said, comfort can still be stylish. To me, dresses are the comfiest thing I can wear. For others, it might be joggers and a cotton tee. On busier days I typically opt for my comfier staples (leggings, Adidas, Vans) and on days where I have one course or only one event I opt for my extra stylish but not comfy or practical looks (thigh high boots, not quite weather appropriate dresses).
Also Helpful to Read: 10 Shoes Every College Girl Needs
6. What’s Your Go-To Outfit Formula?
There are a few ways to go about creating outfit formulas.
1. Seasonally
My summer outfit formula is a fit and flare sundress with white sneakers. My winter outfit formula is typically knee-high or thigh-high black boots, leggings and a dark colored sweater. Personally, I don’t have a spring or autumn outfit formula nailed down quite yet because the weather changes so rapidly where I live.
2. Weather
This ties with seasons, though it’s a bit more specific. Some weather-based formulas might include snowy days, rainy days, really hot days and those days where it’s cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon. For rainy days I always wear my Timberlands, raincoat and pleather pants, because they’re practically water resistant. On days where it’s cold when I leave and hot when I come home I opt for sneakers and a tank top with a flannel or cardigan layered over it. Layers are so easy to adjust for the weather!
3. Purpose
You can also organize go-to outfit formulas by the event or purpose. For example, you might have outfit formulas for a study session, a morning class, a big presentation or even a late-night hangout with friends. Consider where you go the most often and what you like wearing during those times.
7. Key Pieces
As I mentioned before, knowing what makes you happiest is major. What are the articles of clothing or accessories or shoes or bags you’re always reaching for? What pieces would you choose if you could only save a few? Building outfits around your beloved key pieces is a great idea for cultivating your style. Personally, I cultivate my shoes based on my favorite item to wear — sundresses! Most of my shoes pair well with them.
8. Differentiate What You Love vs. What You Love to Wear
This is something I really absorbed while on the whole “discovering your style in college” path. I love the color blush. On that note, I don’t like wearing the color blush because it isn’t cute on me. Sometimes it’s easier to find other ways to incorporate things you love but don’t wear. For example, I added blush pops of color to my room at home.
What are some of your favorite style signatures?
