The wind is changing, the air is crisp, the leaves glide to the ground from the trees—fall is sweeping its way through New York City. As tank tops turn to blouses, and statement pants are on the rise, the outerwear to fend off the Frat Flus and Sunday Scaries is no longer found in the denim shorts and beachy waves of summer. As a person with self-proclaimed good taste, I was interested to see what students would be wearing in and around school. Would sweatpants and Ugg slippers be on the rise, or would the opportunity to sport vintage Levi’s and leather jackets excite the student body? I conducted an interview to get opinions on some popular fall fashion trends, as well as what they think should be leaving with the Summer. 

My first source was the ultimate, the divine, my idol: Vogue. I knew if I wanted to find what was truly classic and equally modern, as well as avoiding the treacherous title of ‘cheugy’, I would find it there. I did some research to see what fads would be seen more and more often as the greenery of Summer was painted into the warm chill of Fall. Some standouts I found were: 

• Leopard Print 

• Dark Brown 

• Track Pants 

• Silk Midi Skirts 

• Cashmere, Leather, Mesh, and a general diverse range of textures and fabrics. 

Now, how many college kids are sporting leather trench coats and cashmere crewnecks to their 9 AM? Honestly, this is Manhattan, so I’ve probably seen a few now that I’m thinking about it. But, considering the broad spectrum of the fashion-inclined to comfort first student type, loungewear and leggings are arguably more prevalent than standout statements. I decided that to truly get an accurate portrait of what regular, budget-conscious, and quite frankly burnt-out students would be wearing, I asked some of the two most insightful women I know—my suitemates. I got to know their personal opinions on what was on trend and equally chic, and, on that note, what they MIGHT actually wear.  

Celine Ioffe and Ella Kadz are Portland locals with a keen eye for observation. Here is what they had to say: 

“So. Here’s what’s really in. Here’s what you’ll see, on the streets, for fall. It’s gonna be, like, a pretty sundress that falls right above the knees. And it’s gonna have a boot. You wanna have a boot with a heel, at least like an inch. Maybe two inches if you’re feeling sassy. Buckles on boots, totally in. When it’s cold, little leg warmers that go above the boots, and then if it gets like cold and windy, you’re gonna have like a shall, like a sweater that’s like off the shoulder, and it’s gonna show the straps of the sundress. Oh, and like big brown leather jackets.” Ella Kadz knows what’s going on. I totally agree. 

Celine’s insights were just as particular:  

“I’m saying low rise pants are always in, especially now.” 

“Really? I feel like high rise is coming back, or like mid-rise,” I said in rebuttal. 

“Mid-rise. Mid-rise. Like 80’s. Belts. Statement jewelry, like big heavy earrings and lots of necklaces. Yeah, and super sequined, sparkles, and glitter. You can never have enough glitter- SCARVES! A really good scarf.” 

“Scarves as bandanas,” says Ella. 

“Scarves everywhere!” Celine says. 

At this point I had some very particular imagery depicting what was really going to grab eyes and set the scene for fall. Now, what I had been excruciatingly waiting for, what is out! 

“Camo. I’m sick of it. Can we be done?” – Celine Ioffe 

I completely agree. Celine continues:  

“I feel like I see off the shoulder tops too much.”  

“But have you seen true off the shoulder or the Brandy Melville ones?” 

“Oh, the Brandy Melville ones. Brandy Melville is out” 

Shocker! I am 50/50 with this take: well yes, everybody wearing the same lace top, and the same patterns, and the same number 14 t-shirt gets quite tiresome to the eye. However, some basic pieces sold there can be the perfect addition to a micro-trend heavy closet. Nothing can be styled with so much ease as a basic white tee. We concluded the brand was “kind of in, but kind of out.” 

Ella started us off: “Tube tops should not be worn in fall. I feel like miniskirts for fall, personally, I don’t like, especially as it gets colder.” 

I had to reply: “But miniskirts over tights, like colorful tights. That’s what I think is in. Think like, 60’s like, skirts over red tights or something.” 

To get to the meat of an answer for my true question, I got specific: 

“What trends from Summer are staying, and what trends from Summer are leaving?” 

Celine was quick to respond. 

“Wearing small tops is staying. See-through, like mesh tops, leather.” 

“OH!” Ella Kadz startled us. “Um… no, I can’t say… It’s too controversial…” 

Of course, we pressed her for an answer. 

Ella: “No! Cause everybody has them…” 

Celine: “It’s the Adidas.”  

“It’s the Sambas.” Ella relinquished her answer, and honestly, I could not agree more. 

“And I don’t want it to be too controversial but… Sambas. Black and white. Especially Sambas, with, like, TALL socks. Ehhhhh…” 

What an insightful and equally delightful experience. I got to know not only what was on par with the latest eye-candy clothes, but also, I came to the conclusion that my suitemates are truly the best suitemates. We conversed effortlessly and ended up at the same conclusions. Ultimately, we need new trends. We need some spice in our fashion as it is in our lattes. It’s time to put what was once done well, to rest. I hope you enjoyed our insights! Feel free to approach any one of us on campus if you would like some more cultured and equally taboo takes. Happy Autumn everyone, and stay chic!