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COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY MUST-HAVE FASHION FOR BACK TO SCHOOL
By Kelsey Larsen |
It’s that time of year again. Our brief summer is coming to an end and we all know what that means: It’s time to start thinking about heading back to the classroom. But don’t moan and groan! This is also a great time to punch up your fall wardrobe, especially if you are heading into high school or post-secondary.
The challenge is finding a great look on a limited budget. When one is spending almost a thousand dollars a year on text books alone, it can be tempting to fall back on that favourite old pair of sweatpants or tattered jeans and a hooded sweater, particularly if you live on campus. However, depending on your field of study, your classmates and instructors could be your future coworkers or bosses so it is important to look put-together, even if you are just heading to an 8AM lab.
Invest in quality staple pieces that can be dressed up or down and will remain current. |
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| The number one thing that all students should have in their wardrobe is a well-fitting pair of dark blue jeans. Denim is versatile and easy to care for, which is ideal for the student on the go who grabs clothes from their floor as often as from their closet. Accessorize with a stylish belt and a killer pair of shoes for a day out, or just a simple pair of sneakers for classroom comfort. |
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| Of course Edmonton winters are not the warmest, so a comfortable, cozy sweater or cardigan is mandatory in everyone’s closet. Prints and colours are a great way to brighten up a monochromatic outfit or tone down a bright one. Ladies can adapt this look and make it their own with a buckled belt. |
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| Look for a tailored blazer or sport coat that can be thrown on over any outfit for an extra touch of class for that all-important class presentation or job interview. This is an item that can take you beyond the classroom and into the professional world as well as out on the town. |
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| A well-fitting button-down dress shirt is a necessity for anyone about to enter the professional world. White is classic but can seem staid. Go for solids or a subtle pinstripe for a little more personality. |
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| A good, solid pair of shoes is absolutely essential for student life. Try to find one casual pair and one that can be dressed up for more formal occasions. Aim for comfort as well as style. As much as we love our sky-high stilettos, they aren’t exactly the best things for a girl to wear when doing the ten minute mile across campus. A good pair of leather shoes or ankle boots provides the ideal mix of classroom chic and business class and can be worn until you wear the soles right off of them. Once you have gathered the essentials you can add your own signature style to your ensemble. Fun and funky belts are a great way to add some flare to a pair of jeans or dress pants, particularly when paired with the recent tribal and glitter trends. Ladies can pair their favourite blazer or cardigan with a great layered necklace and colourful printed scarves are popular for both men and women. They’re stylish as well as warm, the perfect accessory in Edmonton. Feathered and fringed accessories such as earrings and bags have also been popular. |
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MOM AND DAD ON A MISSION BTS SHOPPING
By Nicole Mackoway |
Back to school shopping can seem like a very daunting process, but my recent shopping trip to Kingsway Mall to check out the fashions left me feeling way more more excited than overwhelmed! My mission was to find a complete outfit for both boys and girls under $100 so I was pretty pleased to discover that now is the time to get started with all the summer sales in the stores! Many would think waiting until all the fall clothing arrives gives you the most options, but in reality, many summer items transition well into the fall.
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| Try putting a long sleeved top under a summer dress for girls heading back to school and pairing it with leggings and boots (as I did with the adorable orange polka-dot dress I found at H&M). And t-shirts are always a great way to layer items, especially for boys. |
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| I got really excited about the fantastically fun rainbow of canvas shoes at Shoe Warehouse and for $20, I decided to get my kids a few pairs! The thing I loved most about these shoes is that there were some styles that didn’t require tying and a few pairs that did, so you had options to best suit your child’s needs! |
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To make the most of your Back-To-School shopping trips to Kingsway Mall:
- Make a plan. (I like to start with shoes and work up.)
- Choose a color pallet for their fall wardrobe. (This makes it easier for them to pick their own clothes each day.)
- Stick to your budget. (Decide before you go which “must have” items they would like to have brand name and search for lower priced items for the rest)
- Most of all…make sure you have fun! (Stop for an ice-cream at Baskin Robins part way through…it is summer after all!)
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