Last weekend, I met Diarra, a sophomore at Columbia University, who exhibits some of the strongest trends of the season and simultaneously rewrites the definition of weekend wear. To begin, a jean shirt appears to be the staple of the season. A perked collar and rolled cuffs gives the shirt a casual tilt and also directs it clear of any blatant Western affiliations. Denim is also a welcomed change from the textures and colors of typical button downs. If you are looking for a denim button down, you can look at a variety of places including J.Crew or H&M, depending on the price range in mind.

This season, brightly colored pants are another must-have. Colorful jeans have been enormously popular so far this school year, but chinos, such as these, are appropriate for a wide range of occasions and therefore might be a better buy if you are grazing the market. This Fashionista explained that her multi-purpose pants could be found at Ann Taylor, which encourages us to this of this brand in a revitalized light as a shopping locale for fashion forward college students. As for which color of pants to choose, since many stores offer the entire color spectrum, lean towards darker colors for these coming cold months. Jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue are always stylish for fall, but the color of the season is undoubtedly a shade somewhere between maroon and violet. However if you’re on the fence about a color, a neutral like black or gray is chic year-round.

As for accessories, this Fashionista shows us that simplicity is key, which her style icon, Diane von Furstenberg, would agree with. The thin belt, which is both utilitarian and useful for bringing in the sandals, can be purchased at Ann Taylor as well. The eye-catching bow-tied scarf is a fun flourish too – bringing in some Parisian flair to an otherwise preppy, all-American ensemble.