What Do I Wear There? All-Day Attire for Your Classes, Work, and Night Out
One great thing about college is how much there always is to do. With classes, jobs, internships, friends, and boyfriends, there really is never a dull moment. However, this can sometimes be tough. After staying up late writing a paper, the last thing you want to do is try to plan multiple outfits to fit each of your activities the next day!
Therefore, for today’s, “What Do I Wear There?” I planned a base outfit that can take you through your entire day with the simple addition of accessories as you move through your busy schedule.
Base Pieces
Product Information: Striped Tunic- Wet Seal, Jeans- TopShop
This cute combination is a good start to a variety of different looks.
The gray and black colors of the tunic are very easy to match and the lace at the bottom dresses it up just enough. I’m a huge fan of dark, skinny jeans with almost anything—the dark color is flattering on everyone and the cut is great to wear with flats, heels, and boots.
These items are pretty much timeless and a smart investment to make on a college budget.
First Outfit: Class Time
Product Information: Vest- Charlotte Russe, Silver Hobo Bag- Forever 21, Chain-link Bracelet- Juicy Couture, Purple Flats- Dorothy Perkins
For a casual but trendy look for classes, I added a draping black vest over the tunic. Metallic accents like this adorable chain necklace and roomy silver hobo bag add some stylish shine to the darker basics, and purple flats are a perfect (and comfy!) way to add color to the outfit.
Second Outfit: Business Casual for Work/Internship
Product Information: Blazer- Miss Selfridge, Quilted Tote and Oxford Shoes- Aldo, Flower Headband- Forever 21
For most college job and internship positions, students are lucky enough to work in a “business casual” environment. That typically means that you just need to dress up your class clothing and make sure it is not too revealing.A good tip to make sure your outfit is office appropriate is to not wear anything you would not wear to a family function!
Here, I added a stylish menswear blazer to the base outfit and oxfords similar to the ones you guys liked last week. A quilted leather bag with a classy gold chain adds sophistication to this look, while this hip, zipper-adorned headband keeps it all young and fresh.
Third Outfit: Night Out!
Product Information: Earrings- Modcloth.com, Snakeskin Clutch- Aldo, Pink Bangle Bracelet- Torrid, Hot Pink Lipgloss- Sephora, Studded Cage Heels- Fred Flare
Now that you’ve finally made it through the tough parts of your day, it’s time to have some fun going out with your friends—and some fun dressing up!
For a nighttime look, I chose to accessorize the tank top and jeans combination with a couple rocker-chic items. Studded black cage heels add to the flirty effect of the lace, as does this adorable clutch that you can just slip onto your wrist with its bracelet-like attachment!
To keep the outfit from being too hardcore and dark, add a pop of color with your jewelry and makeup. Neon colors are really great to brighten up fall wardrobes, and the hot pink color of this bangle and lipgloss will definitely add some excitement to your outfit. Throw on a pair of edgy earrings like these pyramid studs and you’re ready to rock!
What Do You Think?
Would these outfits work for your daily activities? Do you have a certain go-to look for those busy days? Comment and let me know!
Also, if you have any “what do I wear there” questions, let me know! I may feature yours in next week’s article.
Posted on on September 11, 2009 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Business Casual, Classes, Fall 2009, Ideas, Outfits, Trends
Like this post?
Before you post a comment, please read the 
Lynn
I love this! All 3 are very adorable :) I’d love to see more posts like this definitely.
Caity
Great idea for a post, please do more like this!
Luinae
This is so clever, I want more!
Could you do one that shows how to take a skirt and a shirt, or maybe a dress to all these things- it would be AWESOME!
Lainey
Love this post too! Truly great :)
Brea
quite brilliant!!! I agree with the others there should be more like this – taking basic pieces and figuring out how to wear them all day.
Fai
What do I wear there…
Colleen I have so many weddings that I’ve gone to this year, and still some coming up. Im running out of Ideas and dont want all the wedding photos from the different weddings to capture me in the same outfit! I need some more ideas appropriate for the occasion. Please help.
-Fai
dancerina
great idea, great outfits!
Lalalina
I love the outfit you chose for this post, I also love the concept of it as well. Now while I definitely own an outfit like this, I would not necessarily wear it to work or an internship, I do not think it is appropriate for a traditional office setting. Fabulous ideas and I can’t wait to see the next one!
Paula
I love this concept and the outfits are awesome!!
It would be cool if you could do something with a dress or a skirt =D
Jess
You are awesome. What a great idea. I always have to carry a different outfit for work in my bag. This idea is way better.
Please do more of these. :)
elle
Love it!! This is a genius post!
More more pls! :D
Sarah
Adorable. On days like these, I tend to overdress for class. Thanks for the pointers, lovey.
Maxine
I agree with the other posters, I love this concept. Will there be a post where you list “what every girl needs in her closet this fall”?
Alyssa
Awesome post! I love this. It would be great if you could do posts like this regularly-taking “base pieces” and making several outfits. It really does show you that you can have a cute wardrobe that is versatile and inexpensive just by mixing pieces.
Colleen - NYU
Hey guys!
I’m glad you liked the post and I’ll definitely follow up with some similar ones doing dresses and skirts. Look for them in the upcoming weeks!
Fai–Yikes! Weddings are tough and a lot of weddings are even tougher! I’m answering a question from last week in my upcoming column but yours will be next.
Lalalina–I completely agree that this is not a good outfit for a traditional office, I was thinking more for a business casual sort of setting. Many offices college students work at are a bit more lax and allow jeans, but I understand what you mean about it seeming not quite right for a nicer place!
Maxine–What a great idea! I’ll see what myself and the other CF writes can get together for that!
Thanks again everyone for all the feedback!
Sandy
I feel like I have to clarify that your definition of “business casual” is not quite the norm. That outfit definitely would never fly if you went to some recruiting or networking event marked as “business casual.” It falls pretty squarely into the category of casual wear, just not so casual as to be inappropriate.
Just wanted to make sure nobody showed up to an important event wearing denim or jersey fabric, or god forbid semi-translucent lace.
Colleen
Thanks for the clarification, Sandy. I certainly was not attempting to show an outfit you would wear to a major work event or a nicer office and I hope it didn’t come across that way! I know Collegefashion has a lot of great posts from the past about appropriate office/internship wear that are good resources. I just wanted to show an easy outfit if you have a simple on-campus position as I know many of us (including me!) do. Sorry for any confusion!
Kathleen
Its awesome,thanks.
Brenda
I do not understand the idea of wearing shirts, leggings, etc. with a lace trim. It reminds me of the early 2000′s trend that was sold mainly in cheap, trashy stores. It is seriously one step above a t-shirt bedazzled with “princess” accross the bust. But if the lace were removed, a very cute outfit.
Kim - Cal State
oh my gosh, i love the internship outfit. especially the bag and the shoes. i’d probably just wear that to go out walking around haha. and the heels in the night out section are to die for.
Lisa
I don’t understand Night Out outfits. They never seem to have jackets paired with them, and of course you can’t wear a jacket inside a hot club. But when it’s freezing outside, what jacket do you wear and where do you put it once you get in side?
aish
i love this idea
can u do more please, please, please
its nice an saves time!
callado
they are sssssooo cute.totally, completely and utterly adorable.they are a definite must wear.