One of the worst things about dorm living is the limited closet space, especially when you don’t have room for your two separate wardrobes – one for class, and one for going out. It can be frustrating to decide what gets hung up and what gets shoved under the bed in storage, not to mention the pain of having to completely change outfits just to go out for a few hours at night.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be like this. So many basic pieces can be worn for day or night – saving you your closet space, and your sanity. With just a few changes, you can wear the same thing you wore to class to any evening event, from out with the girls to a dinner date with the BF.
This week, I’ll be covering a wardrobe staple every college girl can dig out of her closet – the basic black tank top.
Basic Black Tank: Class
Tank – Modcloth, Jeans – H&M, Bag – ASOS, Cardigan – H&M, Necklace – Forever 21, Shoes – Sperry Topsider
Dressing for class doesn’t have to be boring, even with such a simple basic. The best part about a black tank is that it goes with absolutely everything, so feel free to have fun with it! Here, you have room to get really creative with accessories and set yourself apart from everyone else.
For class, you can pair your black tank with a cozy cardigan and skinny jeans or leggings for a look that’s both stylish and comfortable. Shoes should also be functional enough to trek across campus, but cute enough to snag some compliments. (If you live somewhere icy, you’ll probably want to swap the Sperry’s for winter boots right now!) Finish off the look with a satchel for your books and a fun necklace.
Basic Black Tank: Night Out
Tank – Modcloth, Top – Dorothy Perkins, Jeggings – Hollister, Boots – Modcloth, Clutch – TopShop, Earrings – ASOS
At least at my school, evenings out are all about sparkle. It’s easy to go overboard with the glitz, though, so try to stick to one or two key pieces to glam-up your tank top. Swap out your cardigan for a sparkly, semi-sheer top and switch to a dark wash jean for a more sophisticated look. Night is the perfect time to make a statement with your shoes, so try out some cool heeled boots. Pretty earrings and a metallic clutch are fun, but simple accessories.
What do you think?
How do you take your look from class to a night out? Does it help simplify your wardrobe? Leave a comment and let me know, I’d love to hear what you think!
Basic tanks are so important! Look how versatile. I love the first outfit
Black tanks are so important! Just as versatile as dark wash jeans.
I love how many outfits you can create with just a few basic pieces. I mean if you’re really under a tight schedule you could wear the same black tank top with the same jeans and even shoes and just switch to different jacket or sweater and accessories and you’re good to go! So simple!
I dont think this post solved the dilemna. Cute outfits based around the basic tank top but to go from day to night with these outfits, I still would have had to change my outfits. The only thing that didnt change was the tank itself.
Asia – that’s because each post is going to center around just one piece every week :). It’s more about using what you already have in your closet rather than buying new outfits all the time!
The idea is that you swap the cardigan for a shirt and add earrings and add new boots. It solved the dilemma.
cute outfits, HOWEVER, I don’t think the black tank is even necessary in the second outfit. It almost makes the supposed “transition” somewhat moot.
I have to agree with Asia and Alex. This was an entire outfit change, so it doesn’t really solve the problem at hand. If you really wanted to go from “class” to “a night out” without having to worry about closet space and even time to glam up, there are much better options. Keep the tank and jeans, but add a statement necklace, a clutch and change into some cute heeled boots. Then all you have to worry about is grabbing a cute jacket to stay warm! You don’t really need an entire change of clothes for everything. It’s all about how you style and accessorize them.
Erika –
I completely agree with you. Obviously you don’t have to change everything about the outfit! The only reason I added different skinny jeans/jewelry was to keep the emphasis on the tank, since every post is going to center around just one item. :). But I think I will start adding that thought as sort of a disclaimer into the posts – thanks!
Just goes to show that jewellery does the trick;) but I agree with alex, just makes it seem there’s not much point of the tee
I seriously never leave the house without some sort of tank or cami on under whatever I am wearing!
I have to agree with Alex, Asia, and Erika. The outfits are very cute, and I do get that each post will center on one piece, but your execution of ideas in the post could have been better. The whole article is based on the black tank, and yes it is quite prominent in the first outfit, but it’s barely there at all in the second. If I hadn’t have read the title I would have thought that the black top was just a ‘Fabulous Find of the Week’ article. I just don’t think this particular post was as well executed as it could have been for such a great idea and such cute outfits.
Woah! Thank you for introducing me to Dorothy Perkins! That’s an amazing site.
This was a good post, but I’m thinking for the first outfit, a pretty pair of flats or some boots would’ve been a better choice instead of snakeskin Sperrys. Flats and boots are easier to transition between night and day anyways, so that would save a huge step!
Still, though, great post!
🙂
Perfect post. Now I need to buy a black tank. 🙂
I love the shoes from the class outfit.
I’ve never been the one to wear a black tank for when I’m out with friends, but I really love how you styled the second set! 🙂 The gold and black pair very well together!
It would be nice if you did a post like this but instead of going out make it going to work! I’m always running from class to my job with little time to change and it’s such a hassle to drag a completely new outfit work appropriate with me.
You can get such great jewelry so inexpensively that it makes sense to have a bunch of basic pieces like tanks and just swap out the jewelry depending on the occasion. Scarves are great too!
The first outfit’s cute. I just wished there were more outfit suggestions in this post because the basic blank tank is something I think every girl has and it’s fun to play around with its possibilities.
Good post, nonetheless! 🙂