As the school year begins, my eyes are already tired — not just from a lack of sleep, but from constantly taking in the same neon Lululemon skirts every day.
Thankfully, I have seen many cohesive and unique outfits walking from class to class that provide momentary relief from the tiredness of it all. As fashion trends change, peoplewatching becomes more interesting, so I compiled a list of which fashion trends I have liked and disliked throughout these first few weeks of classes. 
Out of office business wear needs to stop
Any fashionista from 2010 will tell you that wearing business wear to non-business activities is not as classy as you think. I can personally relate to looking back on my Tumblr-era outfits and immediately wishing I had stayed curious of the past. The black blazers and pleated trousers are bringing me back to a time of bright colored skinny jeans and sock buns that I, frankly, do not want to remember. Unless you just left your 9-5 job at a local law firm, there is no reason you should be partying at a football game in business casual attire. Though I could be assuming wrong, and those might actually be corporate officials I see playing beer pong in the Junction on gamedays.
Lululemon activewear mob strikes again
Since 2020, I have yet to be in a classroom without someone dripped head to toe in this expensive athleisure brand. There is nothing wrong with athleisure. In fact, Lululemon is a cute and practical option. However, the “copy and paste” phenomenon caused by Lululemon microtrends lack originality. In my opinion, there are only so many ways you can style the same skirt and tank top in different colors. It can be hard to tell people apart at this point. Ladies, with all due respect, it is time to move away from the hotty-hot shorts and white camo tank tops and try to branch out to find more personal avenues of style.
Hey Dude, we are not on a boat
Another throwback to the Sperrys trend, HEYDUDEs are very popular amongst the preppy crowd on campus. With a lack of good ankle support and unnecessary laces that cannot be tied, these shoes are a tacky and unrealistic option for long treks across the drill field. Not to mention, it is too hot to be wearing closed-toed shoes without socks. That is nasty. However, if your class is held on top of a large body of water, please ignore this section and continue about your day. 
Leave the obsession with tacky patterns in 2020
The waves of bright colors and checkered brown patterns from the 2020 lockdown, microtrend era are still haunting us all. Although Y2K fashion is still on the come up, these patterns derived from fast fashion and short-lived virality do not fit the part. Much of this style now feels tacky, cheap and again, hard on the eyes. If maximalist design is your thing, try giving up the busy sweater vest and replacing it with realistic vintage styles. There are plenty of fun, complex garments that catch the eye without straining it. 
Rachel Green midi skirt revival turns heads
In record heat, it is hard not to show up to class in nothing but a bathing suit. A creative solution that does not involve sticky denim shorts and unnecessary displays of personal body parts is the 90s style midi skirt. They have it all, being breathable, classy and cute. This style of skirt resembles an always trending Rachel Green aesthetic. Bonus points if the skirt is thrifted and actually from the 90s. This trend is adaptable for almost any type of weather and can be styled to fit any occasion. 
Vintage Tees are for everyone
A trendy unisex option for just about anybody is the trend of oversized vintage tees. Whether it is a rapper’s merch from the 90s or old college apparel, this particular trend can be styled with anything, providing many creative options to explore. I love how this trend is fully inclusive and adds a touch of nostalgia which can also be an interesting point of conversation. These staple pieces are easy to find and easy to wear. Wearing a skirt to class? Make it casual with a vintage band t-shirt. Need something breezy but trendy? Try an oversized graphic tee. Trying to avoid buying fast fashion? Find vintage tees second-hand for a great price. 
Platforms are on the rise
Good news for all my readers on the shorter side: platform, chunky shoes are still in, and they are not going anywhere. I have seen an increase in students pairing casual look with platform Converse, a fairly new release from the iconic shoe brand. This shoe elevates any outfit, figuratively and literally. It is not just Converse; even Crocs have hopped on the platform train, and the results are not as bad as you might think. Adding dimension to any look, platform shoes are on the rise, and I expect to see more students wearing them as the year progresses. 
More of Tony Soprano’s shirt collection, please
Let us return to my obsession with vintage, second-hand looks. The Tony Soprano-adjacent polos can be found in the grandpa section of any local thrift store. The oversized look paired with retro designs and color schemes are easy to style with items you already have in your closet. Not looking for an overload of heavy fabric? Try cropping the collared shirts to give this New Jersey staple a more modern look. The award for my favorite outfit of the week goes to the guy I saw on campus that looks like he just left a New England deli, pairing his vintage polo with a chain and green cargo pants. If you are reading this now, just know this award is rarely given to a man, and you should be proud.
At the end of the day, the key to looking and feeling good in what you wear is sticking to what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Clothing is just the necessary barrier between your skin and your surroundings, so don’t worry about trends and focus on wearing what expresses you the best. Fashion, much like art, is in the eye of the beholder. 

Gallery • 2 Photos

lululemon opinion 08/30/2023