Why do you always dress up?
The question I’ve constantly been asked since starting high school. At first I took it as a compliment, but when I started college it evolved into somewhat of an insult in my mind.
I thought that college would be much like high school fashion wise, that some people would always dress up and others would always scrub. I realized quite quickly that was not the case. Basically every girl was wearing leggings or Nike shorts everyday. This was something I avoided as much as possible in high school, so when I still showed up to class in real clothes (I’m against the legging trend), many girls gave me looks. I felt that people were judging me and questioning my outfit choices because they thought I was looking for attention, trying to show off or just trying too hard in general.
Soon I caved and started toning down my outfits and even wearing exercise clothes to class. By the end of my freshmen year, I felt like I had no real sense of fashion anymore. I was so out of sync with what I wanted to wear, that I lost interest in fashion. I had been too fixated on dressing like everyone else. Then, this past summer I got really into fashion again, and I feel like I’ve finally found a balance between dressing up and bumming it, but only when I feel it.
Yes, I do still feel judged when I show up to class in heeled booties or boots, but if I’m truly confident in the outfit, then it doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks.
I don’t dress up to impress people. I dress up to feel extra pretty and to express myself.
Don’t feel pressured to wear a certain item of clothing or dress a certain way in college. Wear what makes you feel happy and confident! Whether that be a dress, a skirt and sneakers, leggings and boots, exercise clothes, heels or just jeans and a t-shirt. The only rule is that it has to make you feel good about yourself!
Below I’ve included some of my favorite outfits from the past year and a half at college! Be aware that since most of these are about a year old, I will only be linking items I can find the exact link for or items that are extremely similar!
(Yes, I used to have long hair and I miss it dearly! I’m currently growing it out again!)
*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on a product link, I may receive a small compensation at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love or use myself!
Shirt: TJ Maxx // Jeans: American Eagle // Shoes: Target // Shell Necklace: Hot Topic
Vest: Wet Seal // Camisole: Aeropostale // Skirt: Modcloth // Shoes: Kohl’s
Crop top: Wet Seal // Skirt: H&M // Shoes: Target // Long necklace: Aeropostale
Plaid button-up: Forever 21 // Shirt: TJ Maxx // Skirt: Brandy Melville // Boots: Amazon
Scarf: Gap Factory // Sweater: Gap Factory // Skirt: H&M // Socks: Target // Boots: GoJane // Earrings: Target
Turtleneck: Boohoo // Kida Necklace: Esty // Jeans: Hollister // Boots: Payless
Tank top: Forever 21 // Sports bra: Victoria’s Secret // Skirt: Forever 21 // Shoes: Keds
Cropped tank: H&M // Skirt: Pink Blush // Arm cuff: Francesca’s
Shirt: H&M // Skirt: Forever 21 // Socks: Target // Boots: Target // Jacket: Charlotte Russe
Scarf: Amazon // Belt: Gap Factory // Sweater: Thrifted // Jeans: Boohoo // Shoes: Burlington Coat Factory // Glasses: Amazon
