The cooler weather is finally setting in and the trek to class is becoming chilly- time for a wardrobe update.
This season, comfy sweaters and structured jackets are the item of choice for bundling up and dressing up. New styles are always begging for a spot in your closet, but by determining what items to splurge on or save on, you’ll be able to afford all that your fashionista heart desires.
The Splurge
For the fall semester, splurging on a coat is your best bet because it’s totally practical. While the cheaper coats will tend to develop broken zippers or ripped seams after a just a few weeks, the pricier ones will hold up in the long run and hence deemed splurge-worthy.
Be sure to purchase a jacket that matches most of your outfits – day and night. If you buy a longer coat, it will keep you warm through the colder days walking to class and look sophisticated over a dress at night.
Top trends for jackets this fall include leather, tweed and wool — all of which come in basic enough colors to work with a versatile wardrobe. With so much variety, finding a coat in your style is easy. Laura, a sales associate at the Urban Outfitters downtown, says that the pea coat in houndstooth fabric was her favorite pick because it is easily dressed up or down.
Go ahead, splurge.
The Save
Big comfy sweaters and cardigans are the go-to item to save on this fall. It’s as if wearing a blanket is socially acceptable – they’re knit, cute and absolutely cozy. Once you put one on, you’ll never want to take it off. With a so many options, purchasing sweaters that fit your budget is an easy way to save money.
Local boutiques like Dwellings and Access sell sweaters that are within a reasonable price range. You can go even less expensive by ordering online from Forever21.com or GoJane.com which tend to have clutch shipping deals. Slightly baggier sweaters are in, so online orders are pretty much guaranteed to fit. Stock up on a few.
Go for a variety different types: oversized, destroyed or button ups. Sweaters also come in many different fabrics so you can wear lighter ones in the fall and heavier ones in the winter. They match perfectly with chunky jewelry or a scarf and can be paired with jeans or leggings. For nighttime, throw on a cute miniskirt and a pair of heels to dress up the sweater making other girls envious of your cozy going out attire, fracket free.
Photography by Fuli Wang
