As fall classes have begun, stores advertising back-to-school shopping and new collections both in-store and virtually began around mid-to-late July. My social media feed for one, was flooded with fall and back-to-school fashion trends all summer long. From monochromatic minimalism, Labubu bag charms to sport jerseys, the conversation surrounding back-to-school shopping and trends is incredibly exciting yet daunting to many.
Growing up, my first day of school outfit and back to school wardrobe in general was something I spent much time thinking about. The night before my first day, I would lay out my brand-new outfit accompanied with brand new shoes which were undoubtedly always Vans. I’ll be the first to admit that as I have gotten older and now in college, I continue to have this excitement and often an underlying pressure.
Debatably holding much more pressure than the new year for me, as a child I spent much time asking myself how I would “reinvent my style” or “be on trend.” Though I would often be left unsatisfied with my attempts to change my entire wardrobe, I learned that although coming back to school in the fall offers these opportunities, they are by no means objectives which must be met each academic year.
This fall, rather than reinventing my style and acquiring an entirely new wardrobe, I have opted for a much more reasonable objective to wear what makes me most confident. Often, a plain T-shirt and jeans, which are accompanied with a button-down or jacket. My focus is to elevate what I consider to be my daily uniform. The question I have been exploring has been, how can I accessorize or make small tweaks to my uniform to ultimately be both comfortable and confident?
Fashion trends, such as bag charms or sport jerseys and the possible underlying pressures, are something many consider when going back to school. Richland student Christle Madra spoke about her experience with fashion trends. “There’s no pressure to compete but rather to put my best foot forward,” she said, and added, “The pressure is on myself to look good and feel good.”
Avoiding the peer pressure of participating in new fashion trends is possible. Nevertheless, there are some fall fashion trends that sometimes speak to us. Richland student Harrison Nguyen said this semester his fall fashion follows “a classic gentlemen’s approach” and added that trendy clothing items such as corduroy pants or tote bags can add a “more stylistic approach” to our fall fashion.
Our style and personal identities in many ways, walk hand in hand. This fall semester, I have shifted my focus away from the pressures of trends and re-inventing my style, to the refinement of what my daily uniform is. Refined would be the best word to describe my fall wardrobe as we enter the new school year. Madra described her fall style as “nostalgic” while Nguyen described his fall style as “optimistic.” While describing your fall style in one word may be difficult, it may allow you to evaluate what is truly important to you and what will help guide you to achieve your desired style.
Undoubtedly, with the start of the fall semester comes a whirlwind of different unspoken expectations we often place on ourselves.
Though these expectations of having a brand-new wardrobe or following the hottest new fashion trends may be present, it is important to recognize that we often have control over the trends we participate in and the clothing we purchase.
Staying true to oneself and dressing with confidence are the most important factors to any successful wardrobe.
In many ways, they may be the best trend you can follow this fall semester.
