STORY BY MAGGIE DICKMAN
College students have found a way to balance a hectic schedule, but some find picking out what to wear even more stressful than their course load. Summer is one of the shortest seasons in the Midwest, but this back-to-school season is bringing the heat. This warmth calls for a wardrobe that balances both looking cool and feeling cool.
Stylist Jessica Miller, co-owner of Hill Vintage & Knits in East Village with Erica Carnes, says summer is the store’s most popular season for denim cutoffs, flowy fabrics and cotton — with an emphasis on comfort.
“Find stuff that fits your personality and that’s comfortable to wear, especially in Iowa when it can be 60 (degrees)… and then 90,” says Miller.
Drake University sophomore Marissa DePino, a style guru for College Fashionista, reports on the latest trends on campus. She agrees that keeping an easy-going wardrobe is the best way to go.
“Find the right style for you,” says DePino. “You can be cute, casual and comfortable all at the same time.”
DePino’s go-to? The T-shirt dress, which can be dressed up or down with accessories, like a floppy sunhat and strappy sandals.
New Yorkers have stylish, comfortable dressing figured out. Drake University junior Eunice Chang learned that less is more when it comes to dressing in the heat after spending her summer in New York City as a digital marketing analytics intern with NBC.
“When it’s really hot outside, I don’t like wearing a lot of accessories,” says Chang. “A very simple necklace, a few thin bracelets, or just some midi rings are enough.”
She typically took to the streets in dresses and sunglasses, wearing her Adidas Superstars as a means for both style and comfort. She also took cues from the New Yorker stylebook — shift dresses, distressed denim, off the shoulder tops, and bucket bags were all spotted on the city commuters.
Easy summer style tips don’t stop with women, though. First-year Noah Marsh, a bow tie creator from Kansas City, believes that men need to take more style risks in their wardrobe.
“Everyone needs pants and a shirt,” says Marsh. “However, accessories, like a watch, hat, socks, belt, can add your own personal twist.”
For a dressier look, ideal for internship dressing, he recommends pastel pants and a rolled up button down, a relaxed and trendy combination.
For casual campus style, Marsh sees what he calls “nativism” as a trend on the rise.
“People are wearing graphic tees that either represent where they’re from or something that they’re very, very passionate about,” says Marsh.
Tees sold at shops like Raygun are hip and fitting for the trend. His tip: Look for brighter color palettes and lighter fabrics. Pair a printed top with solid colored bottoms, and vice versa. All of the pieces can be slipped on with ease.
“There’s a bit more freedom (in summer) since there’s more color to work with,” says Marsh. That’s is a tip that can go for everyone.
