Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the comfortable fall outfits – sweatpants, sweatshirts, slippers- you know the look. Apparently, loungewear is not what we’re doing this fall on the Hill, as stylish outfits have debuted left and right. So, if you need a little inspiration to jumpstart your cute fall fits, here are the top fall outfit trends I’ve been seeing on campus:

Knitwear

If you’re like most, the word “knitwear” makes you think of the bulky winter sweaters that turn into a sauna as soon as you walk into Jewell Hall. But not anymore! This year, crochet tops aren’t just for summer. Try layering your crochet top under a jacket or cardigan, pair a chunky or cropped sweater vest with a lightweight turtleneck or sheer long-sleeve shirt underneath. However you decide to style it, knitwear is definitely in for this fall.

Earth Tones

While most people think of fall colors as orange, burgundy or even purple, this year it’s all about earth tones – muted browns, tans, mauves, olive tones, grays, etc. Try pairing pieces in your closet within a similar color family, like tan or khaki pants with a brown top or even a monochromatic fit. You can try mixing and matching earth tones with the sandwich method: match your top and shoe colors, then add a statement piece in the middle and an optional third color for accessories.

Corduroy

The corduroy renaissance has finally arrived! From pants to skirts, overalls to shirts, corduroy is back. Layer a corduroy skirt with a light-colored sweater, try a pair of looser or flare corduroy pants with platform shoes or layer a corduroy shirt/jacket over a brighter tank top.

(Faux) Leather

I know, I know. We’re college students, so leather clothing might be WAY out of our radar when shopping for a new fall wardrobe, or we may just not be comfortable with buying leather products in general. So it’s a good thing faux leather has been showing up everywhere over the past few months. Faux leather pants go with tons of different top options, such as sweaters, cardigans or–for the bold among us–a faux leather top.

Platforms

Last, but definitely not least: platform shoes are the go-to footwear this fall as a great (and much more comfortable) alternative to boots and other heeled shoes. From Converse to Doc Martens and even Uggs, you can find platform styles in nearly every type and every brand this fall. Try matching some platform Converse with your corduroy pants, match platform boots with a leather or suede skirt or if you’re rocking the sweatpants look, slip on a pair of platform Uggs or slippers to boost the effortless athleisure fit.

Whether you choose to find inspiration from the current trends or craft a look that’s totally different, the most important thing is that you wear what makes you feel your best this fall!

This year on the Hill, men’s fashion has been turning heads and serving looks. Although online classes have reduced the number of students on campus, this has been a hot season for fashion. Most notably, the classic slide and sock combo has emerged as a staple item. It fits all weather and social occasions, making it a stylish and comfortable paring. 

In the hair category, mullets have made a comeback from the ‘80s, making a strong appearance on Jewell’s campus. Even though it’s no longer cuffing season, there is no denying that getting a mullet is a sure-fire method to getting a hot date.

The cold front this school year produced many wintertime looks that are fashion-forward and practical. Shorts made a huge splash this summer as the men on campus opted for wardrobe choices that prioritized warmth during the below-freezing temperatures. 

On track with the weather-based fashion statements, pit vipers have been adopted for their great sun protection qualities and classy look. It’s refreshing to see that the men on campus are prioritizing responsible eye protection, all while looking subtle at the same time. 

I do not know who is in charge of fashion trends or who decides on which past style choices get to be recycled. Who said, “Hey, you know what I like? Those chunky dad sneakers from the ’90s.” I do not know how it happened, but I have got to say, people are making them work. While I do not think I can pull them off, Christina Kirk wears them, and this campus is better for it (Christina, if you are reading this, I love you). 

Fashion, for whatever reason, is constantly reviving itself. The denim flared bell-bottoms of the ‘70s seem to be making their way back. The hair scrunchies of the ‘80s made a huge comeback in the past few years. The biker shorts of the ‘90s resurfaced again in the summer of 2020. Styles that we thought were buried have come back from the dead. 

However, there is one fashion trend that should, in my opinion, stay very, very dead – low-rise jeans. 

That’s it. That’s all. I feel like I am not asking for much here. 

When it comes to early 2000s fashion, there is only so much that words can do, so I will refer to the presentation that Buzzfeed has put together of the physics marvel that is low-rise jeans.

The icons of early 2000s – Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Ashlee Simpson and Paris Hilton – are all protruding hip bones, flat stomachs, tiny inseams and no zippers. 

Sure, low-rise jeans are all well and good if you are Rhianna in 2005 or if you are Kiera Knightley and have almost no body fat. I, for one, have given up looking like Kiera Knightley, and that is a reality I have accepted. 

A reality that I cannot accept is where the safety and ease of high-rise jeans is gone. High-rise jeans are simultaneously flattering and comfortable – and, in them, I am unstoppable. 

I am not alone in my love of high-rise jeans. Michaela Esau, junior literature & theory and communications major, shares this sentiment.

“Higher the rise, the closer to heaven,” Esau says. 

Low-rise jeans, on the other hand, are flattering for the very select few and are far from comfort – I mean, how do you sit down in them? 

I relate low-rise jeans to the strict diet culture and extreme, ultra-thin body expectations for women in the 2000s. Just like 2000s diet culture, low-rise jeans are obnoxious, uncomfortable and unforgiving. While it is not proven, I have a theory that women wearing low-rise jeans are perpetually holding their breath.

If the gods of fashion are listening, I have three requests: I want business-casual pants to feel more like pajamas, I would like more pockets in dresses and, most importantly, I would prefer that low-rise jeans remain a horrific memory of the early 2000s. They should stay buried. In fact, I will build the tomb.

William Jewell College’s campus is filled with a range of styles – from trendy to classy, eclectic to low-key. To capture “style” requires as much consideration of personality as composition. What makes or breaks a look is not the wrong accessory, a clash in color or any other arbitrary rule established by the commercialized perspective of fashion that has been sold to the public.

A good outfit is defined by the eye of the wearer, whether it be maximum comfort or artistic expression. Truly appreciating fashion begins once you dive into the person behind the clothes. First-year physics major Hope Peck has provided the opportunity to dive into her style which comes from a combination of a variety of aesthetics and inspirations.

The process of curating a look, for Peck, starts on the first day of every week. She invests time experimenting with concepts on Sunday, planning out her outfits for the rest of the week. 

A glimpse into Peck’s closet would reveal an intentionally limited palette with an array of neutrals, burnt orange, and dark green. The colors reflect her self-described “thrifted and androgynous” minimalist aesthetic. A small palette also works to provide Peck more ease by expanding the versatility of her pieces, ensuring her look will include shades and hues partial to her taste.

Influenced by YouTube, Pinterest and a few high fashion designers, Peck’s style has a voice of its own. She combines her love of Cecille Bahsen’s prairie chic with modern and trendy looks inspired by YouTubers like With Wendy and Ashley Bestdressed.

Peck is not the only fashion lover in her family. Her sister Allyson is also a major source for Peck’s inspiration. Allyson lives a chic and fun life as a digital media designer in Brooklyn, New York, and you can catch a glimpse into her lifestyle on her YouTube Channel The Allyson Leigh.

Not only does Peck enjoy curating outfits, she also takes a hands-on approach to creating unique looks of her own. Peck is an avid thrifter and enjoys flipping her clothes into beautiful and individual pieces. She has also constructed several of her own items, including a gorgeous Vivienne Westwood inspired corset. Besides sewing, Peck also crotchets. Her latest creation is a soft gray lounge set. There’s no better way to capture personality than to do it yourself.

Though Peck’s style appears put together and polished with an intentionality that catches the eye, she adds a little bit of fun some days. From strawberry to cow-themed, she has a collection of socks that garner much attention from her friends. If there’s one thing to take away from Peck and her impeccable taste, it’s that the best thing to wear is confidence. 

Whether you wear the latest trends or your favorite sweats, what makes a look is the person behind the clothes. Rock those crazy socks, show off the Goodwill find, break out of the box or embrace the popular. You do you and the rest of the world will embrace your style.