By Haley Verre and Alyssa Williamson
Contributing Writers
Every college student feels the weight of tuition on their shoulders, and it doesn’t help when designers are showcasing their latest collections during Fashion Week, which is giving us some of the coolest, most diverse trends we’ve seen this year. It can be hard to stay trendy without your bank account suffering, so let us offer you a few alternatives to the hottest new styles at much lower costs. Not only will you look like you’ve done your fashion homework, but you’ll also have money left to splurge on a pumpkin spice latte or two.
1). Velvet: Velvet is an often overlooked texture because it reminds people of their mothers’ cocktail dress from the 80s. But with velvet coming back in style for fall, we will finally be seeing it in modern closets everywhere. Velvet has been featured in the collections of top designers such as Valentino and Giorgio Armani. If you want a way to test this trend out, a velvet choker is a chic and cheap way to update your wardrobe. Find it at Zara for $34.50.
2). Bomber Jackets: This trend is everywhere in stores right now and one of the best parts about it is how easy it is to style. The right bomber jacket can make any outfit look cooler. Wearing one over a maxi dress, for example, makes your outfit look more dressed-down but still sleek. There are bomber jackets available in a variety of chic styles and textures, thanks to designers like Alexander Wang, Gucci, and Chloé who featured this trend at their Spring 2016 shows. If you want to personalize your jacket and show off a look that speaks to you, adding cool buttons and patches is an easy way to upgrade this look.
3). Shirts Under Slip Dresses: This is an unexpected way to style two basic pieces, but it’s an easy way to make a fashion-forward statement. This is another ‘90’s trend that is making a major comeback this fall. French brand Courrèges’ debuted this look in their spring 2016 show, but celebrities like the Jenner sisters and other street style stars have made this look mainstream. To make this trend work for 2016, wear a basic shirt under a flattering slip dress. If you want to take a bold step further, wear it with your favorite pair of jeans. Find a slip dress at ASOS for $21.00.
4). Pajama Dressing: Instead of wearing your actual pajamas to class, which can be tempting as the semester gets busier, try the trend that’s a lot more polished but just as comfortable. In order to make this look less like loungewear, try wearing it unbuttoned and pairing with a simple tee underneath and sophisticated footwear. This trend has come and gone in the fashion world, but probably keeps coming back because of its comfortable, yet luxurious look. Find a pajama shirt dress at Target, in the Who What Wear collection, for $27.99.
