For ten years, my first day of school outfit was always the same: an annoying navy blue cross tie, a white polo, cardigan and khaki skirt. Having been forced to wear a uniform, the most I could do to explore my style was wear colorful headbands and beaded bracelets.
But when I got to high school, everything changed. On the first day of school, I could swap that bland uniform for baggy jeans, a baby pink tank top and a cable knit cardigan —I was thrilled.
The cardigan stuck with me and is still something I wear in college. But now, for the most part, each school year feels like another chance to try something new.
As the fall semester kicks off, it seems like other students are also using the first week of school to look for outfit inspiration, try new styles and experiment with their look. Because, you never know; you might just get asked to be in a FDOC outfit Tik Tok video while strutting down State Street.
Summer fashion carries into the fall
The first week of classes in September usually feels like the crisp start of fall, but Madison’s unseasonably warm weather this year is allowing summer outfit trends to stick around a little longer. Students have a few more weeks to hold onto their favorite warm-weather pieces before trading them in for fuzzy sweaters and thick jackets.
“Students are wearing summer clothes about campus — flip-flops, tank tops and shorts — and there are lots of bright colours such as teal, pink and yellow everywhere,” Isabella Johnson, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told The Daily Cardinal.
Johnson’s outfit for the first day of classes was completely thrifted, pairing capris with a flowy top and her favorite gold bangles. Styles like this from the early 2000s recently made a comeback and are becoming common and even trendy again.
Vanessa De La Rosa, also a junior at UW–Madison, told the Cardinal, “My style this school year is heavily influenced by being in Oregon this summer.” She was inspired by how freely everyone dressed during her time in the state.
“These first few weeks, I will be including capris, flip-flops and tank tops in my outfits, and I’ve also noticed similar summer styles among other students on campus,’’ De La Rosa said.
Warm-weather items like these are not only stylish, but also a necessity for comfort during a warm and humid fall. As college students try out different fashion trends like these, they are reminded of the importance of comfort.
“I have seen a lot of yoga and gym-style clothes this week, something I noticed on campus my freshman year as well,’’ De La Rosa said. “College has influenced me to just be comfortable and wear clothes that are comfortable whenever. Because who really cares?’’
Old styles make a comeback
Aside from light summer clothes and comfy athletic wear, UW-Madison students are also bringing vintage fashion back.
Johnson has noticed capris and gaucho pants, which haven’t been spotted in public since the days of Y2K. UW-Madison sophomore, Khabbab “KB” Gassikia has spotted bootcut and baggy jeans, sandals and Sambas, harkening back to the street style of the ’90s, which has made a massive resurgence in the past few years.
“I remember my mom saw me wearing capris and was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know those were in style again,’” Johnson told the Cardinal. “Now you see them all over campus.’’
Another popular trend of the past few years has been for students to use purses and totes as school bags.
The fusion of traditional and modern trends proves that it is not necessary for students to entirely change their wardrobes in order to experiment with new styles. A piece that is already familiar can appear new when matched with different clothes or accessories.
College students have a lot to deal with between classes, clubs and social events, but fashion can also be an outlet for creativity, while remaining comfortable and practical.
On Gassikia’s first day of class, he wore denim and camo jorts, a kami belt, a rhinestone-studded shirt and shoes inspired by his favorite basketball player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. For him and many others settling into the new semester, fashion is a form of self expression.
“When I get dressed up for class — particularly when it’s an 8 a.m. class — I dress up, and I feel good about it,” Gassikia said. “I'm doing it for myself.”
