Hanna Iazzetta
hiazzetta@mustangdaily.net
Fall is just around the corner. As the new season shows its face, it is important to feel good about yourself. You know the old saying: If you look good, you feel good. There are many fun, comfortable and aesthetic fashion trends to be aware of in the upcoming season. Keep them in mind the next time you find yourself shopping downtown.
One of the trends to look out for this fall is colored denim and patterned jeans. You will find a huge variety to choose from, including mint green and burgundy solids, as well as gray floral and tan cheetah patterns. You can shop for this trend easily in downtown San Luis Obispo (SLO), with the greatest selections at Urban Outfitters, Coverings, Avanti and Forever 21. Coverings employee Brittney Fischer said colored denim has been flying off the shelves.
“Over summer we had bright colors, but now it’s all floral prints, darker colors, cords and velour,” Fischer said. “We sell certain brands at a good price for something that’s really trendy.”
These jeans are eye-catching and add a touch of flair to any denim-based outfit. Mix this trend with T-shirts by day and a silk blouse by night.
Fall means cooler temperatures, which means goodbye tank tops and flip flops, hello outerwear and boots. For outerwear, leather is a great option that has been featured in just about every fashion magazine and blog lately. A good motorcycle leather jacket is essential for any fall closet, according to College Fashionista intern and graphic communication sophomore Shannon Ling.
“I literally have something leather in every single article of clothing,” Ling said. “It looks kind of badass and still really cool at the same time.”
It’s true, a nice leather jacket can add a bit of edginess to any fall outfit. It also has the added benefit of keeping you warm on a chilly SLO night, whether you’re at dinner downtown or at a football game on campus. Black is a safe and versatile color that will complement just about any outfit you put together. And if basic black is not interesting enough for your taste, try the quilted black leather jacket. The added texture gives black leather a super classy look.
Leather jackets may be a way to stay warm and comfy at night, but might not be the most practical to wear to class. Leather boots, however, will be seen across campus day and night this fall. Tall leather boots or ankle boots with jeans and an oversized sweater make up a perfect fall outfit that is comfortable and works for many occasions — from a school day to a bonfire to a night on the town. Flaunt your new look with a cross-body bag and finish it off with a chunky scarf. Cold weather is sounding better already.
And let’s not forget about accessories. The biggest accessory trends lately are Native American-inspired designs and fringe, according to Avanti clothing store employee Kirby O’Connell.
“Whenever we get fringe accessories, they sell really quickly,” O’Connell said. “We don’t even have anymore and we just put them out.”
From fringed scarves to triangle cutout drop earrings to chevron print wrist bangles, these Native American-inspired patterns are in. The popular jewelry brand House of Harlow has a huge influence on accessories right now, according to Fischer.
“I’ve seen a lot of people wearing the jewelry with the Aztec look,” Fischer said. “Studs, too. Studded belts, studded purses and even studded boots. It all sells like crazy right now.”
If this look gets too “hard” for your taste, wearing it with a loose sweater or a simple maxi dress can soften the edges a bit. This accessory trend can also be found at websites for Etsy, Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters.
While it’s fun to dress up for downtown trips and weekends, many Cal Poly students tend to dress casually during the school week. Wearing workout clothes to class is comfortable, casual and so Cal Poly appropriate. Being in workout clothes will motivate you to go to the new Recreation Center before you leave campus, and it will keep you comfortable while sitting in class. It is important to be comfortable for the sake of learning and overall campus enjoyment. Fidgeting with your uncomfortable outfit in class gets distracting and takes away from your concentration on the professor and the class material. Lulu Lemon athletic wear remains a piping hot craze, according to business administration sophomore Lauren Weber.
“If you haven’t worn a pair of Lulu Lemon yoga pants, all I can say is get online and buy a pair,” Weber said. “They are truly beyond any level of comfort you will find in athletic wear and they will last for years.”
The only problem is you may have to cut back on your Starbucks habit or buy your books discounted on Amazon.com — Lulu Lemon is not student budget friendly. Yoga pants range from $72 to $98, according to lululemon.com. Other trendy brands that are somewhat more affordable are Nike, Zella, Under Armour and Forever 21.
Just as your body should be comfortable for a school day, keep your feet happy by wearing comfortable shoes as well. You wouldn’t want to rush to class in a pair of junky flip-flops on Cal Poly’s hilly campus. Last year, Nike swept through campus with “Nike Free” running shoes, and the trend hasn’t slowed down. On nike.com you can customize your own running shoes and choose from a selection of more than 15 colors, ranging from neon pink to electric green to simple black and white. They are a unique expression of your own taste, allowing you to pick the color of seven total shoe parts from your sole to your laces. Nike does promote a very fashionable shoe option to go with your workout apparel, but they might not be the most supportive. Although they are eye catching, they only last five to six months for runners who train 10 miles or more per week, according to Dick’s Sporting Goods shoe department employee Vanessa Robbins.
“There’s no support in the shoe, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for running,” Robbins said.
One might choose a different brand that offers more support and still comes in a variety of colors. Some of these brands are Adidas, New Balance and Asics.