Ask Angie: Poor College Student looking for New Style

Maisie

Hi Angie,
I've been following your blog for the last while, and have picked up some great tips. My question for you is what advice you have for someone like me--a full-time college student with not very much money? I don't have very many clothes right now at all (I have to do my laundry every week so I have enough clothes for the next week), but I am saving up some money this summer so that come fall, I can update my wardrobe at least a little bit. With such a limited amount of money, I wondered what your advice was as to what might be essential for someone my age (I am 24). Particularly, I struggle with what shoes to wear, since I live in a climate that gets fairly cold in the winter, and I generally walk to school and around campus, so I need something sturdy that keeps the snow out but still looks great and is comfortable. I also tend to live in jeans, but have a hard time finding any that really fit me--I'm short and very petite, usually wearing between size 0-2. Also, what kind of tops can you recommend? I don't really see myself wearing blazers because they make me feel too matronly, just for my age. At the same time, I do want to dress for my age, and look polished yet young. I know that was a lot of questions, but hopefully you can shed some light on this!
Thanks,
Megan

16 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Alecia

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hi Megan and welcome to the forum! Do you think you can post a visual? That really helps get the creative juices going. Also, we’ve had loads of "student style" threads here before, so if you do a search, you’ll find them. See how you go and we can chat further.

You can’t be wearing the right jackets if you feel matronly in them. I promise!

16 years ago

garmenta

Active Member

While I'm not Angie, I can direct you to a fashion blog written by three graduate students who live in the Midwest (with cold winters like yours) and who live on a budget. They are delightful and stylish and since their circumstances are similar to yours, may be able to speak directly to the questions you raise. You can find them at http://www.academichic.com.

I love the chic academics (even though my graduate school days are well in the past) and recommend them highly.

The posters on this site are supportive and helpful, and will be glad to offer additional advice.

16 years ago

sinead

Active Member

Maisie, there are some uber-stylish petite women here and loads of advice about spending your money wisely.

While I'm not a college student, I'm a single mom on a ridiculously tight budget and I've been able to start my wardrobe renewal by forcing myself to spend more TIME shopping, instead of money. That means I scour the clearance racks frequently and also hit the thrift stores. Right now is a great time to find bargains because stores are having incredible markdowns and I doubt that will change before fall clothes come out.

What I've found is that by investing more time shopping, I've also been able to narrow down which styles work for me and which don't. I used to wander around a department store, get overwhelmed, pick up some lame-o sale piece and call it done. Not anymore. I go with a list and try to really zoom in on the items I need. And I try on more things.

So along with reading all of Angie's archived posts and getting help on the forum, I recommend some dedicated shopping days. Try on a million things, even if you don't buy anything, just so you can start to get an idea of what will work and which brands are best for you. You need to have an idea about your style, how you want to look, how you'd like others to see you and what makes you feel good.

Style on a budget can be done- it just takes time and lots of patience. Good luck!

16 years ago

Anonymous

I'd just add that it sounds like you should invest in the most comfortable waterproof boots that you can afford...something flat or with a wedge heel for walking. You can tuck your jeans into them and keep them dry. If you do a search on this site you will find lots of posts about boots.

16 years ago

Rose

Active Member

I can identify-- I have a BS, MS, PhD and 2/3 of those degrees were done in the midwest-- so I was a poor student for a LONG time! I highly recommend Merrell low profile boots (link below), in the midwest, I wore them almost yr round (e.g. on the odd cold summer days, but often through fall, winter, spring). They are $ but they have lasted me yrs and they look great with jeans and cords.
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-u.....leryId=W-F
good luck!

16 years ago

rockyluvsemily

Active Member

You might have a look at http://www.collegefashion.net and I don't know how well you sew but a sewing machine is a great investment. I buy like 75% of my things at the thrift and goodwill by my house and sew them to fit me well. And if you can get away from campus or your job first thing monday morning is when those stores tend to be the cleanest and put out the most new mechandise. There may not be a ton of things in your size since it is pretty extreme but you can always edit the nice things you do find with your sewing machine.

Reggie

16 years ago

Maisie

Member

I would be happy to post some pictures! Where/how do I do that? What should the pictures be of, exactly? Just a typical outfit?

16 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Photobucket is a popular place to put photos then put a link onto a thread.
A good place to start is with a photo of you in form fitting clothes so we can narrow down your body shape. Also perhaps some outfits you feel good in or ones you're not so sure of x

16 years ago

Dawn

(website)

Active Member

Hi Maisie,

I meant to reply to your post when it was originally posted but I never got around to it...

Anyway I am a student in a climate that sounds similar to the MidWest. I also am petite so hopefully my advice will help you.

The first basic three things that I could suggest to you to help with your winter wardrobe is a good winter coat, skinny jeans and boots.

1) A good winter coat is essential for surviving a cold winter and is a worthwhile investment. Personally I prefer a knee-length wool coat in a bright colour for winter and there are a number of blog posts from Angie on the topic of winter coats

2) I'm not from the States so I can't really advise you on jean brands but investing in a couple of pairs of skinnies is a good idea. They can be worn with many different types of tops and again, Angie has a number of posts on skinnies.

3) Boots... ah my favourite winter wardrobe item. I own a pair of fabulous winter riding boots. They are fantastically warm and comfortable... Look for a riding or biking style of boot to wear with your skinny jeans and you should be toasty enough walking into uni each day. Make sure they are snug at the calf and again, a slightly pricier option is worthwhile.

Onto the topic of tops... my personal favourite for winter are knit sweaters (something like this: http://www.asos.com/Soaked-In-.....;clr=Khaki) with camisoles underneath them. I also like shirts and waistcoats. You can get some very funky and young blazers as well (e.g.) http://www.asos.com/Vila/Vila-.....;clr=Black and http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-.....8;clr=Grey)

Do you know your body shape? If you don't, take a photo of yourself in jeans and a fitted top, upload it to a photo-sharing site like http://www.photobucket.com and link it here and we'll be able to help you out.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

16 years ago

Maisie

Member

Whew, it's taken me long enough to get back on here! Well, here's the update: I took pictures of basically my entire wardrobe (I really don't have much of one) and posted them here: http://s841.photobucket.com/al.....isiemusic/. I'd love help figuring out what body shape I have, though I have some idea, and just to hear your thoughts. I only posted pictures of clothing that I like or that I feel is necessary for my wardrobe right now, heading into fall. I am ready to go buy some new stuff, and somehow I've managed to have $500 to spend on these new clothes! I'm so happy about that! But I know it won't go very far, really, so I need help figuring out where to focus. There have been some great tips so far, and on my part, I think I most need a couple pairs of really good new jeans, another pair of every-day shoes, to switch out with my Converse, a good winter coat, and a pair of boots. I am in love with the kind that look like riding boots, but I would prefer real leather, and I'm not sure you can get those anywhere for less than $300! I'd like to get some boots for $100 or less. But I think they'd be the solution to cold, slushy winter walks around campus. I would really like some more accessories, but I'm absolutely clueless on those. Oh yeah, and I REALLY need a new handbag, but I'm clueless about that as well. So please, take a look at the pictures, and I'd love it if you responded with CRS, as well as just any helpful tips/advice, at all. Angie, I'd especially like your expertise as to where to put my money to make the best investments, and really make that $500 count. What you see in the pictures is really all I have to work with--I'm not being modest at all. That's it! Thanks everyone!

16 years ago

marianna

Veteran

You are utterly adorable and have the perfect body for clothes. I actually think you have a great basic wardrobe already, especially your dressier options. Your body looks AMAZING in the turtleneck/skirt combo and turtleneck/dress combo. The trench and all the jersey dresses are great for your lovely figure too.

I just finished my undergrad and what I would suggest is more jeans (in darker washes) and jean alternatives. The darker pair you show are great, but the lighter ones would look more sophisticated and polished if they were darker, especially with the Converse. I think jeans are a staple piece for college students (they were for me). You can also play around with black jeans, charcoal jeans, skinny jeans, etc. Have fun with denim! I also think you could use some more pattern in your casual wardrobe. Maybe some tops or sweaters with funky prints. You might also want to invest in some structured (not matronly!) jackets, like a moto jacket or boyfriend blazer. Both are trendy and would be very useful and flattering on you.

As for shoes... YLF approves of Converse as a casual shoe! You're good there. I think you have a good idea of what you need. Boots are key, and a Converse alternative (maybe a new fun ballet flat).

Since you're on a budget, I'd highly recommend Nordstrom Rack or TJ MAXX for some of this!

16 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

Welcome, Maisie! You have some really great basics that fit you like a dream. I agree with others that you'd do well with some investment stuff like 1) a winter coat, 2) boots, and 3) a great pair of jeans. After that, I think you should focus on accessories. Those will allow you to get more mileage out of the stuff that you already have. And you can often find them for a song. I get a lot of jewelry, scarves, and belts thrifting. Another thing you could add that is very current and that you can find inexpensively is a vest (or waistcoat, if your Angie.) That would be something fun to pop over those turtlenecks.

16 years ago

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