Essential College Pieces (That You'll Actually Wear)

We’ve all done it. We’ve all gone to a store saw that ‘amazing’ piece that we just couldn’t live without, we saw that they had our size and then bought it without hesitation. We go home, eager to wear the new shirt, pants, scarf, whatever, only to find that we have nothing that matches with it. 

Like, nothing. 

So we make a promise to ourselves. We say, ‘Self, next pay-check you’re going to buy something to go with this so you can wear it because this piece is amazing.’ Then we put it to the back of our closet and, essentially, forget about it or come up with excuse after excuse as to why we can’t buy something to go with it, or why it wouldn’t be appropriate for whatever event. Then months later as we’re ripping through the closet for something, anything, wearable we come across it and curse ourselves for spending the money on a shirt that is never worn when we could’ve just bought a white tee-shirt instead.

What’s even more annoying about this is when you’re in college with limited space in your dorm sized closet and it happens. You chose to take the shirt you need to wear a strapless bra with to wear to class instead of bringing something trusted and comfortable. This is your own fault, and now you have nothing to wear and on top of it all you’re now going to be late to class.

So this is where I’m going to save you. This is my list of essential college, or just in general, pieces that I promise you will wear and you won’t regret bringing or buying. Here we go.

Clothes

The Plan White Tee

This is a wearable wardrobe staple. Whether you need to dress it up with black skinnies and a blazer or you’re throwing it on with sweatpants, the white tee-shirt is a staple. It’s available everywhere and in any style imaginable. Having a white tee-shirt on hand opens so many doors for your style, you wouldn’t even believe it so make sure you invest in one or even twelve.

Leggings 

Whoever said that leggings can’t be pants seriously didn’t know what they were talking about. Leggings, in fact, can be pants. They come in so many cuts, styles and colors that there’s literally a pair for all looks imaginable. You can pair regular black or grey ones from Old Navy with a flowy, whimsical top for a boho vibe, or invest in a high wasted and structured pair from Urban Outfitters to pair with a crop top. There’s so much you can do with them and there as comfortable as pajamas.

Comfortable Jeans

Notice I said comfortable jeans in the title. Seriously, going out and investing money in a really good pair of jeans will probably be one of the best decisions you ever make. I feel like jeans get a bad rep because everyone always gives them labels like constricting, tight, and suffocating. Let me tell you, they’re not buying the right pairs and this is why they hate their lives when wearing them. My personal favorites are from American Eagle or Rag & Bone. Rag & Bone’s material is way softer but the trade off is it’s a higher price. But like I said before it’s totally worth it. When buying jeans just think about them like a potential boyfriend: you should never be settling.
A LBD

For those days where you’re feeling exceptionally girly, (and trust me there will be those days) it is important to have a trusted Little Black Dress on hand. And by no means does it have to be a ‘typical’ one. Yours can have hardware, cut outs, other colors, really anything. Find a dress that you feel comfortable and confident in.  

Footwear
Wellies 

If you just buy one thing from this entire post, please let it be this item. Trust me on this, there will come a day when it’s pouring outside and you have to hike across an entire campus to get to class and you’re going to wish you had a pair of these. I recommend Hunter brand but that could just be because I have an emotional attachment to English/London brands. Sidenote: Wellies also can double as pretty efficient snow boots.

Sneakers 

I feel like I don’t even need to explain this one. Sneakers are just a must. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while or know me at all you know that I stand by Adidas 110%.

Black Booties

There are going to be those moments when sneakers and flip flops are just not going to cut it. Whether it be because your pants gap weird around the ankle or you need to give off a more professional vibe, black ankle booties are going to be your savior. Find a pair that you love the heck out of and then wear the heck out of them.

Uggs 

I feel like Uggs got a bad rep. Like, a really bad rep. I think this is because when we think of them we automatically think of the cliquey and rude middle school girls who wore them with every outfit until they were falling apart. But listen: Uggs are comfortable. Like really comfortable. Like when they are on your feet it’s like walking on the softest cloud imaginable. And lets be honest, when you’ve just pulled an all nighter or spent one too many hours dancing in high heels the night before what sounds better than walking on a cloud? Nothing. Nothing is better than that. Buy the Uggs.

Outerwear 

A Parka 

 I go to school in southern Ohio and by no means is the weather here horrible. Usually the temperatures are pretty mild and easy to deal with, but every once in a while there comes a day when the weather dips into the low 20s and then you don’t want to go to class because of how cold it is while walking there. Having a parka or a heavy winter jacket becomes one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. I prefer the military green or grey ones. Another option is the North Face shin-length ones, which is the coat that most girls at my campus wear. But, be warned, people will call you a walking marshmallow if you chose to go in that direction.

A Leather Jacket 

Okay so this is the most versatile of all the necessities I’m listing. What I mean is this doesn’t have to be a leather jacket. What you need to find is a lighter jacket that will still keep you warm on chilly days that you absolutely love. You need to find a jacket that is comfortable and embodies your personal style. This can be a leather or pleather jacket, a jean jacket, an army jacket, it can be anything you want it to be. It just has to be a staple. Personally, I love leather jackets. There’s something so effortlessly cool and badass about them. They vamp up any outfit and look good with any outfit. Because of this, I find myself always reaching for one when I need something to layer over my outfit. Find what that jacket is for you.

Accessories 

A Blanket Scarf

A scarf will always be one of my favorite accessories. It’s both fashionable and functional. Blanket scarfs especially are wonderful for hiding your face from the bitter cold while walking outside. For a blanket scarf I would choose a solid staple color, something like black, grey, tan, if you’re feeling exceptionally daring maybe even a white one. Go for a color that will match with the majority of your closet.

I'm also going to state that you should really invest in a good, quality pair of sunglasses but there's a post that's coming up later this month on that subject. So be on the look out for that. 

I really hope that this post helped you guys in deciding what's important to take with you and build your wardrobe around. Are there any wardrobe essentials that you think are missing? Leave a comment and let me know!

I hope you guys are having a great St. Patrick's Day! 

Love, 

A. xx