Anna Lei – CollegeFashionista

WHAT TO WEAR: Heat Wave

Back home in California, summer is really making an entrance with 100+ degree temperatures, strong winds and zero humidity. It’s difficult to resist wearing just a swimsuit on such sweltering days, but it’s socially unacceptable to walk around in a bikini in non-beach areas (yes, even in Southern California). This post is here to offer a cool (in both senses of the word) alternative.

This Fashionista has the right (and trendy) idea for a heat wave. She pairs her high-waisted shorts with a thin, loose button-down and Birkenstocks. I definitely recommend high-waisted shorts for summer because they add a hint of sophistication to your look, whilst showing the same amount of skin as regular shorts. I also support teaming high-waisted shorts with a light button-down. A light-weight, roomier button-down will provide more ventilation, which is imperative to keeping cool on a hot summer day.

If you want to try out this look during the sun-filled season, check out these high-waisted Levi’s from Nordstrom. Or, if you’re looking for a more cloth-like material, take a peek at these tribal print knit shorts from Forever 21. For an edgier look, opt for some faux leather ones. Then, pair the shorts with a sheer button-down. I’m always a fan of the white button-down because it has a crisp, clean look to it, and it goes with anything. For shoes, copy this Fashionista and a select a pair of Birkenstocks—they’re super in right now.

One Simple Change: For a girls’ night out look, just switch the Birkenstocks for some edgier booties, like these Jeffrey Campbell Litas.

WHAT TO WEAR: Finals

As the end of the year rolls around and exams and papers devour us whole, style often falls to the wayside. I know, I know, it’s just so much easier to slip into those comfy sweatpants and that oversized hoodie. I, too, am guilty of looking like a not-so-hot mess in sweatpants during finals week; but there is a way to look trendy in sweatpants, and this post will show you how.

I spotted this Fashionisto from a mile away on the quad, and I knew I had to snap his photo because he has the perfect finals week attire. He styles his sweatpants in a hip and aesthetically pleasing way by pairing the basic pants with a loud tribal print top. He continues the flashy color scheme by plopping a printed beanie on top of his head, and sporting bright blue athletic shoes. By teaming his sweatpants with standout pieces, he manages to create an interesting ensemble that doesn’t give off any negative slob vibes.

To cop this Fashionisto’s look, opt for a pair of skinny sweatpants. More form-fitting sweatpants are just as comfortable as their balloon-like counterparts, but are 10 times better because the slimmer look makes them more chic and polished. Then, pile on eye-catching garments, like a printed top, colorful beanie and flamboyant shoes. Once you’ve got all the pieces of your study outfit in place, pick up your bags, head to the library and work hard to get all the As on your upcoming exams! You got this. You so got this.

One Simple Change: For a festival look, swap the sweatpants with some denim cut-offs and you’re set for three days of music under the sun.

WHAT TO WEAR: Presentation

The weather at the University of Notre Dame can only be described as bipolar. One day it will be 80 degrees and sunny, and then the next day it will be 40 degrees and windy. It even SNOWED a couple weeks ago, but it seems as if we are finally climbing out of the winter cave and heading towards warm (actual) spring days.

On this particular spring day, it wasn’t super hot, but it wasn’t freezing, which made it an appropriate day to bring out the spring wardrobe. I spotted this Fashionista wearing the perfect spring outfit and immediately asked her if I could snap a shot of her ensemble for CollegeFashionista. First and foremost, her pants are to die for. I am absolutely obsessed with them. The bright greens, yellows and pinks can make even the cloudiest days a tad sunnier. I love how she continues the loud theme of her pants by donning a neon belt. To balance out her bottoms, she wear a crisp white button-down that ties the look into a glorious seasonal bow of flowers and sunshine.

If you want to steal this fabulous outfit for yourself, buy a pair of colorful floral pants! Check out this eBay link for the exact same pants this Fashionista is wearing. If you don’t want to be a copycat, these River Island trousers are pretty sweet. For a little bit more skin, take a peek at these adorable floral shorts from Topshop. Then, just throw on a white button-down and a pair of sharp flats.

Due to the semi-formal feel of this look, I recommend wearing it to your next presentation! Not only is it suitable for the occasion, it also stands out, which will make you memorable and unique!

One Simple Change: To dress down this look for a more on-the-quad ensemble, opt for a white V-neck and beanie! Beanies make everything more chill.

WHAT TO WEAR: Meeting With A Professor

The semester is winding down, which means it’s almost everybody’s favorite time of year: finals week(s). To fully prepare for the multitude of papers and exams, the smart student meets with his or her professor. I don’t know how I would have gotten through physics if it wasn’t for my professor’s office hours, so I fully advocate meeting up with professors to ask paper questions or clarify hazy test topics.

Now that I’ve convinced you to set up a meeting with your professor, what do you wear? I think it’s always safe to go with a casual and put together look for this type of shindig. This Fashionista has the perfect outfit for the occasion with her mint colored pants, peacoat and beanie. With this crazy transitional weather (it’s literally SNOWING in APRIL), it’s best to stick to pants and to always bring a jacket. It sucks to still be stuck in layers at the end of April. So if you want to bring a sprinkle of spring into your wardrobe, opt for a pair of pastel colored pants like this Fashionista’s. Colored pants like these add a hint of preppy formality to your look that’s ideal for a meeting with your professor. To dress down the look a tad, throw on a beanie and then toss on a peacoat because it is way too cold to skip outerwear.

One Simple Change: Like everyone else on this campus, I’m so over the freezing temperatures. In anticipation of better days, aka 70 degree weather on the quad days, keep the beanie and jacket at home and pair your pastel colored pants with a flowy sheer button-down. Then, slip into some strappy sandals for the perfect spring look on an actual spring day (whenever that comes).

WHAT TO WEAR: Traveling

Music festivals are rapidly approaching y’all! For a lot of people, including the students here at Notre Dame, this means traveling to places like California (Coachella in a few days!). If you want to look cute and comfortable whilst traveling (think Urban Outfitters road trip style), continue reading for some inspiration!

When I spotted this Fashionista walking out of the dining hall, I knew I had to snap a photo of her outfit for CollegeFashionista. She reps a whimsical spring look with her bright yellow and white dress, which she pairs with a crisp denim jacket and clean white Keds.

The sneakers and dress combo is very in this spring because Teen Vogue editor Mary Kate Steinmiller told me so on Twitter. The combo is not only playfully adorable, but it is also very functional. Opting for sneakers instead of sandals or flats brings more comfort and faster mobilization. Picture a scenario in which you’re running a little late and need to catch your next flight or train on time. Which would you rather sprint in: sandals, flats or sneakers? I feel like you’d have to be crazy or Usain Bolt if you didn’t choose sneakers.

To snag this travel-friendly ensemble for yourself, start off with a charming spring dress. I’m a fan of this floral one from Urban Outfitters or this tiered white sundress also from Urban Outfitters. Next, add a denim jacket or, if you’re looking for more of an edge, a leather jacket. And for the perfect and necessary last touch, the sneaks! Choose some sharp white Keds, like this Fashionista’s, or go with my favorite classic Vans.

Then, just pack your bags and enjoy your traveling adventure! Coachella or bust.

One Simple Change: For a heat wave, get rid of the layers and just sport the spring dress. Switch the sneakers for some strappy sandals.

WHAT TO WEAR: Weekend Wear

Do you ever just want to be lazy and wear a super large T-shirt with no pants? I certainly experience those days. As a big proponent of the no pants lifestyle, I love spending lethargic weekends in an oversized T-shirt and no pants, eating Ben & Jerry’s whilst binge watching Parks and Recreation. Unfortunately, you kind of look really ratchet if you walk outside with a huge T-shirt and no pants, so here’s a sharp alternative for your chill weekend days.

If you want a hassle-free outfit that won’t make you look like you completely gave up on life, wear jeans with an eye-catching top! A stand out top will steal all the attention, allowing the rest of your ensemble to be more basic without sacrificing style. This Fashionista teams jeans with a leopard print sweater for an effortlessly chic look that’s perfect for sluggish weekends.

If you’re up until 4 a.m. on Friday and have to go out in public for lunch on Saturday, look minimalist cool (and comfy) in jeans and a printed top. If you’re a fan of animal print, check out this animal print sweater from ASOS. If that’s too bold for you, try polka-dots or stripes. If you think jeans feel too restrictive, wear some lounge pants instead. Lastly, opt for some snug shoes, like a pair of fuzzy moccasins, and you’ve got yourself a relaxed look for a relaxing weekend.

One Simple Change: For a class presentation, wear a button-down underneath the printed top. The button-down will add the hint of formality needed for a class presentation.

WHAT TO WEAR: Errands

Errands are probably the worst thing in the world—at least getting to the point of starting errands can seem like the hardest thing in the world. Or maybe it’s just me. Whenever I have to do laundry or buy household items, it always takes me longer to start than to actually do the errand. Wearing a cute outfit, however, helps make running errands more exciting, so I recommend using it as an incentive to start your drab chores.

The key is to create a cute ensemble that won’t prohibit you from finishing your errands in an efficient manner. This Fashionista has the idea down pat with her relaxed skirt and top combo. To make the look more interesting, she layers with a chunky cardigan, floral peacoat and patterned tights. Since it still feels like the middle of winter here in South Bend, the layered look is extremely necessary, but it also makes the ensemble seem more detailed and thought out. The subtle design on her tights adds a quirky flair to her look and fittingly complements the floral pattern on her peacoat.

If you need some motivation for your next errand run, dress up! Take a page from this Fashionista’s style book and decorate a skirt and top combo with layers and accessories! Pile a comfy cardigan and eye-catching peacoat on top of your shirt, and finish off with patterned tights. Then, grab your check list and start working on crossing out those annoying tasks!

One Simple Change: If you’re looking for a less complex outfit for a day at the library, exchange all the layers for a loose fitting sweater for a cute look that won’t leave you feeling uncomfortable whilst writing that paper.

WHAT TO WEAR: Study Group

When a wave of tests and schoolwork threatens to slam you into a sea of tears and anxiety, style often gets cast aside in efforts to save yourself from drowning. However, a trendy outfit doesn’t have to detract from your precious studying time. If you don’t want to look like a slob in the library, but also don’t want to spend hours putting together an outfit when you should be devoting as much time as possible to that upcoming exam, the key is to buy a pair of cool sweatpants.

Does cool sweatpants seem like an oxymoron? Well it’s not. In acknowledgement of the potency of comfort and style, joggers, harem pants and lounge pants have been lauded by the fashion world. The affinity for these relaxed pants is not without warrant, for they look awesome when styled correctly. I spotted these Fashionistos in the dining hall and knew I had to use them to exemplify the chicness of casual pants.

Both successfully style harem pants to achieve looks that are comfortable, but not sloppy. The Fashionisto on the right sports a loose-fitting button-down that adds a hint of formality to the leisureliness of his pants. This mix of casual and dressy creates a quirky, jocular look that is also suitable for long hours in the library. The Fashionisto on the left dresses in harem pants and a hoodie, but manages to avoid the sweatpants-and-hoodie train wreck via the interesting cut of his pants and sharp fit of his hoodie. He completes his effortlessly cool look by pairing his pants with some edgy combat boots.

To spice up your own comfy pants, try wearing them with a button-down or a form-fitting hoodie. Dress up your look further with some eye-catching footwear and you’re set for several caffeine-filled hours of studying.

One Simple Change: For a more “on the quad” look, exchange the harem pants for some jeans. Then add a beanie because in my opinion, it’s the best accessory.

WHAT TO WEAR: Spring Break

It’s here, it’s here! It’s finally sprang break y’all, which means rest and relaxation and lots of Parks and Recreation binge watching. Those of you heading back home to the warm weather states know that it’s a lot warmer than the Midwest polar vortex, but not 100 degrees hot and dangerous. I’m from Southern California and during this time of year, San Diego is a nice breezy 70-something degrees, sometimes 80-something degrees on the really warm days. This means that most people are in jeans and a T-shirt with a jacket on the side because temperatures usually plummet once the sun sinks into the ocean.

This Fashionista has the perfect California beach day outfit for spring break. Dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt, her ensemble is the perfect combination of style and comfort. She also sports a chambray button-down on top of her gray T-shirt in anticipation of colder temperatures at nightfall. This look is ideal for beach-frolicking because its simplicity allows for unencumbered jumping and skipping. And let’s be real, who doesn’t splash around in the waves at the beach?

To snag this outfit for yourself, just put on your favorite jeans and pair it with a neutral colored, loose-fitting top. Then add a chambray button-down or a cardigan, so you can watch the sunset without freezing to death.

One Simple Change: For those of you in super hot climates during spring break, like Punta Cana, ditch the denim pants and chambray button-down and wear some denim shorts instead. A loose-fitting top, like this Fashionista’s, allows for proper ventilation in a heat wave, so you can choose to keep it. But if you want to show a bit more skin, wear a sheer top over your bikini.

WHAT TO WEAR: Midterms

Well folks, we’ve reached the worst time of the semester. Spring break is just a little over a week away, and if you close your eyes (and turn up the thermostat to 85 degrees) you can almost feel Punta Cana’s golden sun and ocean breeze softly grazing your skin. The key word being almost because South Bend’s cutting winter winds quickly bring you back to the reality of midterms. Yes, before you can enjoy warm weather and beach hair, you must pass midterms week aka the Snorlax sitting between you and 80 degree freedom.

During these dark times, many college students forsake style for comfort. The sweatpant-clad student’s mistake is in thinking that style and comfort are mutually exclusive. People, you can look hip in cozy attire. This Fashionista is a prime example of looking snug and cool at the same time. She dresses in a chunky sweater, which she teams with a simple pair of jeans and combat boots. And that’s it.

If you want to feel comfy and look effortlessly stylish like this Fashionista, buy an oversized sweater. I’m a huge fan of the sweater options at Urban Outfitters. I often shop for sweaters in the men’s section of Urban Outfitters because you can always find some rad, loose-fitting sweaters on the dudes’ side of the store. (Check out this wild tiger sweater.) If bold patterns aren’t your thing, take a peek at this chunky oversized pullover from Free People. Once you’ve found the perfect oversized sweater, pair it with your favorite jeans or jeggings. Kick into some combat boots and you’ve got yourself a minimalist chic look that will prevent you from looking like a slob during midterms.

One Simple Change: If you want to look casually cool in hot weather, say during a heat wave over spring break, wear denim shorts and a white V-neck instead of pants and a sweater.