What’s Hot This Fall in Fashion
BU students on what they’re wearing, where they shop, purchases they most regret, and more
As the temperatures drop and everyone gets ready to dive into their closets for their winter survival gear, we reached out to a number of fashion-forward students and asked them to talk about what they’re wearing this fall, their fashion philosophy, the celebrity they’d most like to emulate, and their tips for dressing well on a tight budget. Take a look at our special fall fashion photo gallery.
My fashion philosophy:
“Clothes only look good if you feel good in them. It’s not about how much money you spend on clothes, or even what you’re wearing—it’s your confidence that makes your clothes look “expensive” and put together.”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“My aesthetic is clothes that are comfortable enough to sleep in, but could also look good on a night out.”
Where I shop:
“My family did not have a lot of money when I was growing up so I quickly learned the art of finding great styles on a budget. Thrifting is always a favorite of mine, but when I do shop, I usually head to lower-end stores such as Primark and Forever 21. When I need a statement piece that I’m sure will last me a long time, I head to slightly higher-end stores such as Zara.
”
My prized item:
“A pair of vintage high-waisted black-and-white bell bottom pants.”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“Definitely Zendaya! She’s an amazing role model for personality and style, two things that go hand-in-hand.”
My fashion philosophy:
“I see what I wear as an extension of my personality, so I try to express myself through it.”
Where I shop:
“I try to shop in person as much as possible. I’ll go to Bodega when I’m in Boston, then hit Palace Skateboards when I go back to London. I’m also a sucker for concert merch. It feels like the perfect souvenir and it lets people know the kind of music I listen to.”
My prized item:
“Bodega x Saucony Grid 800 CL.”
Fashion purchase I most regret:
“An emerald green corduroy jacket I got from Topman: the shape didn’t fit my frame and the zipper quality was atrocious.”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“Anderson Paak or Jeff Goldblum.
”
Where I find inspiration:
“Movies, anime, music, people on the street.”
Tips for dressing well on a tight budget:
“Invest in quality over quantity.”
My fashion philosophy:
“Every piece should be quality, classic, and timeless.”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“Form-fitting kick flare jeans, classic knit cardigans, and turtlenecks. I’ve been focusing on cool belts and heeled boots. I also love a good pair of ultra-sheer tights with a miniskirt.”
Where I shop:
“Mainly thrift/vintage shops. I love rummaging through my parents’ old clothes in the attic, Aritzia, Urban Outfitters.
”
My prized item:
“A stone chain belt from L Train Vintage in Brooklyn or my gold jewelry from Iran.
”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“Jane Birkin and Golshifteh Farahani.
”
Tips for dressing well on a tight budget:
“Stick to form-fitting, simple, clean silhouettes. Denim, basic Ts, and sweaters/cardigans are easy to thrift and make a look more high-end.
”
My fashion philosophy:
“You don’t need name-brand clothes to be stylish, and more importantly, don’t try to impress anyone. Dress the way that makes you feel the most confident. ”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“Dark pants with a looser-fitting graphic T-shirt, a turtleneck, and a big coat. It’s super simple. ”
Where I shop:
“SoWa Vintage Market, Goodwill, Urban Renewal, or stuff I find in my dad’s closet.”
My prized item:
“My black Florsheim Duke boots. ”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“ If I had to pick anyone, it’d probably be SAINt JHN or 88 Camino. ”
Fashion trend I wish would go away:
“The Patagonia quarter-zip over the Vineyard Vines T-shirt really needs to stop happening.”
Tips for dressing well on a tight budget:
“ Know what looks good on your body. ”
My fashion philosophy:
“I love mixing vintage vibes with modern moments.”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“ I’m all about using basics to create simple but powerful looks. My favorite items for this fall are turtlenecks and mock-neck sweaters and tops, blazers, and wide-leg pants. ”
Where I shop:
“I make a lot of my own clothes, mostly crop tops and pants, and repurpose from thrift stores. Otherwise, I shop from H&M, Zara, and American Eagle.”
My prized item:
“This pair of black high-ankle booties with multicolor (blue/gold) metallic embroidering.”
Fashion purchase I most regret:
“I got this navy blue chenille sweater from Forever 21, and that was the day I FINALLY learned the difference in quality of clothes. I still have yet to wear it because it smells like chemicals.”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“Selena Quintanilla. I’ve also been admiring Yasmeen Ghauri, circa 1990s.”
Where I find inspiration:
“I follow a ton of fashion icons on Instagram. I also love keeping up with Fashion Week for some fresh and unique looks. When I want to get to know a style or fabric or theme, I usually turn to Pinterest for some visual research.”
My fashion philosophy:
“The best wardrobe is a versatile one, where you can mix a lot of different styles together. ”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“I am a big fan of denim and sweaters, but recently I’ve been tying together a lot of turtlenecks and patterned pants, paired with a nice pair of sneakers. ”
Where I shop:
“When possible, I thrift my clothes. ”
My prized item:
“My Nike Killshots 2. These are the best white sneakers I’ve ever bought and I wear them everywhere with everything.”
Item I’d most like to own:
“The Off-White x Nike Chicago Jordan 1’s.”
Fashion purchase I most regret:
“I bought a pair of shoes that look like sandals with socks. I have only worn them once.”
Tips for dressing well on a tight budget:
“Go to a tailor and get all of your measurements, then just shop the online sales. After you have your measurements, it is easier to buy clothes online.
”
My fashion philosophy:
“When in doubt, put on a (faux) fur coat. ”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“ Anything and everything camel color and animal prints.”
My prized item:
“My vintage Alexander McQueen trousers I found in a tiny vintage shop in London.”
Item I’d most like to own:
“Tweed Chanel ankle booties.”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“Stevie Nicks.”
Tips for dressing well on a tight budget:
“Start thrifting. So many good things can be found by digging, plus it’s guaranteed to be one of a kind (and better for the environment).”
My fashion philosophy:
“Keep it simple, but a little sparkle never hurt anyone.”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“I’m keeping a muted color palette but playing with textures—satin, tulle, sherpa, (faux) fur. My fall/winter staple is patent high-heeled boots. ”
Where I shop:
“FashionNova.”
My prized item:
“Doc Marten Magdalena boots in black. They are a great investment for girls who don’t want to stop wearing heels in the winter, even when it’s snowing.”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“Amal Clooney.”
Where I find inspiration:
“Models. My favorites are Barbie Ferreira and Charli Howard.”
My idea of a fashion splurge:
“Luxurious lingerie. Lingerie to me represents femininity and power—the right set can change your whole day. My go-to brands for a splurge would be Honey Birdette or For Love & Lemons.
”
My fashion philosophy:
“Simple is better. Dress to make yourself feel good.”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“Cozy sweaters that bounce off my skin tone.”
Where I shop:
“H&M, Marshalls, Primark.”
Item I’d most like to own:
“ A Louis Vuitton backpack.”
Fashion purchase I most regret:
“Hawaiian shirt.”
Where I find inspiration:
“My friends; honestly, they keep the bar high.”
Tips for dressing well on a tight budget:
“Primark, and buy clothes that are versatile so that you can dress up or dress down.
”
My fashion philosophy:
“Fashion is a means of communication. I have my best days when I feel most confident in what I’m wearing because I feel empowered to face any challenges head-on.
”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“I’m wearing my leather jacket almost every day. My favorite new piece is my Spanx faux-leather leggings. There are six different styles, and you will feel so amazing in them! ”
Where I shop:
“Madewell, Gap, H&M, and Zara.”
My prized item:
“My leather jacket, for sure, and also this beautiful long gray coat I have from Zara.”
Celebrity I’d most like to emulate:
“Anne Hathaway in The Intern is my general inspiration for all things fashion and confidence.
”
Where I find inspiration:
“Pinterest.”
My fashion philosophy:
“Every piece of fabric we layer ourselves with helps express our interior selves.
”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“Simple shades of grays and/or khakis with hints of warm colors like red, orange, or yellow. Scarves and boots are essential whenever they fit the outfit.”
Where I shop:
“Zara, Diesel, ASOS, Guess, H&M, Weatherproof, and Armani.”
My prized item:
“My Barney’s suede jacket, and a Premium Jack & Jones blazer.”
Item I’d most like to own:
“Givenchy’s heavy metal printed wool overcoat.”
Fashion purchase I most regret:
“Oh God, you know these memes about purchasing something online and getting something that’s completely different? That happened to me once with what seemed to be a classy emblazoned black sweater on ASOS, but turned out to be a potential winner for a Christmas ugliest sweater competition.
Fashion trend I wish would go away:
“Uggs and Canada Goose jackets. Together or separate.
”
My fashion philosophy:
“Go with your gut. If you like an outfit when you first put it on, don’t second-guess it. ”
What I’m wearing for fall/winter:
“Oversized jackets, straight leg pants/jeans, and chunky boots.”
Where I shop:
“Thrift stores, Aritzia, Reformation, occasionally shops like Urban Outfitters, Zara, and ASOS for trend pieces.
”
My prized item:
“Fred Perry x Thames gingham bomber jacket.
”
Item I’d most like to own:
“Jordaan embroidered Gucci loafers.”
Where I find inspiration:
“I am a big traveler and am super observant of the different trends I see between cities. During the school year, I turn to Instagram, specifically accounts like @shotfromthestreet and @magnus, and YouTube channels like PAQ and HauteLeMode.
”
Tips for dressing well on a tight budget:
“I avoid buying a ton of trend pieces from stores like Urban and Zara. Instead, I turn to long-term, investment pieces that I know will be wearable every season, and last me for years.
”
Where do you shop? What fashion trends do you love and hate? Let us know in the Comment section below.
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