Being a student at Rowan requires a lot of walking around campus. Some students live off campus, and walk to class every day. Some students have classes on opposite sides of campus. Recently, College Fashion listed six shoe trends for the fall back to school season. These included ankle boots, Mary Jane pumps, and Oxfords. Walking around campus, one can see so many different kinds of shoes.
Does style matter more, or does comfort?
With the weather getting cooler, shorts and skirts are disappearing, and jeans and pants are starting to appear on campus more. Colored jeans have become more popular. Students can often be seen walking around campus in brightly colored pants (as I type this, I’m wearing bright pink pants). Unsure of how to pull off colored jeans? Her Campus magazine provides readers with 20 ways to wear colored jeans. A few of their suggestions include rocking a leather jacket, wearing a simple tank top, or using more accessories.
Not feeling the colored pants trend? Try wearing patterned pants or leggings. College Fashion offers tips on how to wear patterned pants (or leggings). One of their tips is if you’re trying pants with floral designs, or polka dots, or subtle details, try to keep your top half simple. They also offer suggestions on how to wear leopard print pants if you are into animal print.
What else comes in bright colors or cool patterns? Bags! Many students walk around campus carrying their school books in either book bags, tote bags, or large purses. A lot of students carry brightly colored bags to stand out. Earlier in the school year, Teen Vogue offered 100 different backpack options as part of their back to school special.
Her Campus magazine also suggests a bag from LeSportsac. LeSportsac offers multiple kinds of bags, including backpacks, tote bags, cross body bags, or even pencil cases. These bags are brightly colored with fun patterns, and are perfect for walking around campus with.
If you’re planning on going out on a Friday night, and you don’t want to bring your backpack, try one of these “going-out” purses that Her Campus suggests. These bags are perfect for going out on the weekend after classes are done.
Fall accessories were broken out of closets this week on campus. Scarves are one of the biggest and most essential accessories for fall. There are many different kinds of scarves. There are also several different ways to wear scarves, including “the prep,” “the boho,” and “the modern.” Glamour Magazine also has a video where viewers can learn how to wear a scarf in four new ways.
Walking around campus, one is bound to see students wearing scarves, especially with the weather getting cooler. Want your scarf to stand out from all the other scarves? Try making your own printed word scarf to wear around campus.
Before Gina Tierno was a chemical engineering major at Rowan University, she designed her own clothes. While being a college student takes up most of her free time, she still misses creating her own, original clothes.
Q: When did you first start making your own clothes? (When did you stop?)
A: I started sewing around 6th grade and stopped around junior year of high school when classes started picking up. I would do anything to go back, but engineering school is so much work, and there’s no time.
Q: Why and how did you start making your own clothes?
A: I first started making my own clothes because my family didn’t have enough money to buy new clothes and I was sick of wearing my friend’s hand-me-downs. I started by buying cloth from yard sales and watching videos on making your own patterns. I’m not a fan of “following directions,” so I never liked working from a pattern, plus I felt that it wasn’t my work if I did what the designers said. I always made my own pattern—every piece was fitted to me.
Q: What was your favorite part?
A: I liked going to thrift stores and buying pieces of clothes for cheap and then altering them into more creative, trendy pieces. I loved getting compliments and being original. “Where did you get that?” “I made it!” It’s a nice satisfaction.
Q: What did you make/like to make? Do you have a favorite thing you made?
A: I loved to make bags. Giant tote bags were totally my thing, but I also like taking denim jeans and making them into shorts or studding them or adding embellishments. Dresses were also my favorite thing. So many styles, I have so many notebooks filled with drawings. Beading, studding, lacing, and bedazzling were my fortes.
Q: How would you describe your sense of style?
A: I would probably say boho. I love layers and mixing up textures and attempting to look chic without trying. I don’t usually go for the “polished” look. Messy bun is usually an everyday staple.
Q: What’s your “go to” or favorite accessory or piece of clothing?
A: Definitely a pair of ripped jeans and a leather jacket. Don’t forget the over-sized stunna shades to match your over sized bag. But if I’m going out, I need to wear my Louboutins! I was fortunate enough to get a pair last year. Not my usual style but those shoes are killer.
Photo courtesy of Gina Tierno
Q: Do you think you dress differently in college than you did in high school? If so, how?
A: I don’t try to impress anyone. College is so laid back you can do whatever without feeling so judged. Every Friday my roommates and I wear something totally ridiculous and bold.
Q: Who is your “fashion inspiration?”
A: Designer lines: Free People
People: Sienna Miller, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kate Moss
It’s always rainy at Rowan University. Walking around campus, it is perfectly normal to see students carrying umbrellas in their book bags, even if the sky looks clear. This past week, Glassboro didn’t disappoint. It rained multiple times this week, causing students to break out their umbrellas and rain gear.
Some students assume that if it’s raining, it automatically means it’s going to be a T-shirt, hair up kind of day. However, just because it’s raining, doesn’t mean students can’t dress nicely and do their hair for class.
“Even if it’s raining, I still put effort into what I’m wearing because it’s better to start off looking cute and blaming it on the rain when you begin to get wet, rather than starting out looking lazy and having no excuse,” said Michele Marandola, a junior at Rowan.
If it’s raining, and an outfit has already been planned for the day, just throw a rain jacket on so it doesn’t get wet. Rain jackets don’t have to be the typical bright yellow jackets that are always seen on television. If one wants to stand out, she can buy a rain jacket that fits her personal style better. That way, the jacket will be keeping her dry and it will look cute, too.
Rain boots are another type of rain gear that students often wear. Rain boots can be found in multiple stores, including Barnes & Noble on campus, or even Famous Footwear. Rain boots are similar to rain jackets. Students can find cute rain boots with different patterns, like stripes, polka dots, or flowers. Rain boots keep feet dry, and they also look cute.
“If it’s raining, I’m excited to wear my rain boots and rain jacket,” said Mary Montgomery, a sophomore at Rowan University.
Umbrellas are essential at Rowan. If a student is having a good hair day on a rainy day, an umbrella is her new best friend. Unfortunately, an umbrella isn’t guaranteed to keep you 100% dried. However, it will definitely help. Like rain boots and rain jackets, umbrellas are a good way to express ones personal style. When searching for the perfect umbrella, try looking for one that will keep you dry and has a cool design or pattern that you like.
Also, if it is raining, and class is a fifteen minute walk, don’t necessarily trust your book bag. Some book bags aren’t exactly water proof, and will let the rain get to your books, notes, or even your laptop.
“If it’s raining, I won’t bring my laptop,” said Montgomery.
Don’t just assume that because it is raining, it’s not possible to still look nice for class. The rain will only cause students to adjust their outfits – not completely change them.
Campus Couture 