Whether it’s the crisp air on your skin on the way to the morning class or the first coloring of leaves on the trees bordering McKeldin Mall, there’s no fooling yourself that summer is long gone and fall has made its way down to College Park.
With the colder months approaching, opportunities for stylish layering, unique accessories and fun shoes are all within reach. Add these unique pieces to your fall wardrobe, and you will be put on the dean’s list for most fashionable — whenever that becomes a thing.
Peacoats
The more frisque sister of the classic trench coat, peacoats offer a flexible and non-committal essence to your outfit. The shorter length, wool construction and big statement buttons offer a pleasing visual addition to any look. Paired with sleek pants and a clean shoe, you’re bound to have the chicest essence as you walk across campus.
An opportunity for bold coloring or clinging to neutral fall style, peacoats will fatefully enhance your fall wardrobe. As the viral Lily-Rose Depp meme would have it, make sure to button to the top to brave the chill morning breeze.
Boat shoes
I know what you’re thinking, the typical shoe for a future millennial Buzzfeed employee could never come back. Hear me out, though — boat shoes are more than their unfortunate stereotyping, and a versatile fashion weapon for the fall season.
With their brown color, boat shoes pair well with proper neutral tones. Perhaps a maxi skirt and wool sweater can add a funky yet admirable boost to your fashion compared to the current sea of Sambas, New Balances and loafers we’ve seen so far in recent years.
[UMD students weigh in on simplified Halloween costumes]
Baggy dress pants
Who doesn’t love a nostalgic business casual fashion flashback to prime 2010s Gossip Girl style? But baggy dress pants offer a grunge twist to this tradition. This clean look gives a relaxed aura to your outfit, complete with dress pants and a loose style.
The versatility is unquestionable, pairing with coats, sweaters and jackets. A baggy dress pant will complement anything already in your closet for this fall. Different from your regular pair of jeans, baggy dress pants will have you catching intrigued looks as you strut throughout campus.
Pillbox hats
Headwear is an understated essential for the colder months in your everyday outfit. From earmuffs to beanies and baseball caps, it’s all been done every year.
A pillbox hat, however, is an underground classy finisher to any fall outfit. The 1960s Jacquliene Kennedy classic combines class and excitement for both neutral looks and colorful statements. It yearns for a comeback into the mainstream fashion world; it seems to have been its own victim of the Kennedy curse.
Sport this hat and you’ll undoubtedly become niche amongst your peers.
[Students are nuts for UMD’s squirrel watching club]
Column skirts
While the great migration from mini skirts and jean shorts to full-length jeans and dresses is a seasonal occurrence, a bridge between full-length style and traditional skirt coverage spices things up. Column skirts, which hem around the mid-calf, provide comfort and a sleek look to any outfit.10
A unique replacement to the usual fall legwear column skirts are practical for colder weather. Their simple yet chic design is sure to spawn your own personal admirers around campus.