Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Collegiate Fall Style Trends

Let’s face it. The most popular kids in high school were jocks. If you didn’t play a sport, you were probably jealous of the cool kids that ruled the hallways, sporting their varsity jackets. Lucky for us, fashion recycles itself and we all can experience the awesomeness of the notorious varsity jacket as well as other collegiate pieces. This year one of the biggest trends for fall and winter has been 50s and 60s inspired collegiate clothing. The trend is more popular in menswear, but there are elements that appear in women’s clothing as well. Be warned, this isn’t a trend that’s super easy to follow. Pick the wrong shirt or tie and you could end looking more like a Frat Daddy than a stylish member of the Ivy League. This trend is all about updating classic preppy looks. Don’t worry; you don’t have to join a sports team any time soon to get this look. Everything you need to keep it old school can be found right here at our Fayette Mall.

There are a lot of places in the mall that are keeping up with this trend such as Abercrombie & Fitch. Macy’s has a great variety of Ralph Lauren collegiate menswear for anyone going for the “collegiate look.” The Ralph Lauren shirts are a different plaid with warm colors and most can be seen with the collegiate letters or numbers on the chest or on the sleeves. The key to avoid posing as a Fratstar is paying attention to detail. Brown, tan, and navy blazers are something you can wear over a collared shirt. To keep the look up to date, opt for a fitted double-breasted blazer instead of the traditional single-breasted. Also, corduroy or tweed jackets with leather patches on the elbows can be another alternative for a blazer. Don’t feel obligated to wear a tie, try a throwing a pocket square in your front packet to change it up. Feeling too fancy, huh? This is your chance to rock that sought after varsity jacket when you want a more relaxed look. And if you’re not feeling the jacket, try a cardigan featuring varsity stripes on the arm or a tennis sweater vest. Another key component to this trend is vintage embellishments such as patches and chenille letters. One of the best accessories for this trend is military watches with interchangeable straps. A solid color or wide striped tie is the perfect accessory to go with the collared shirt. Finishing it up with a pair of khaki or corduroy’s and a pair of dress shoes is the best way to complete your outfit. Dress shoes you can wear are any type of boat shoe, chukka boots, bucks/ saddles shoes, or penny loafers.  

17 comments:

Jono Moore said...

It's really exciting to see vintage trends coming back in style, mid-century fashion is classic. The subtlety and conservative look of the Fifties and Sixties its probably one of my favorite styles because who doesn't want to look like Don or Betty? The collegiate look is on trend more so now than it has been in the past but the key is not to look like your dad, or worse your grandfather. Adding modern touches is the way to avoid this, like pairing a classic tweed suit with a pair of modern shoes. I hope to see more of this trend on campus in the future.

Anonymous said...

i like the whole old fashion style, but for some reason i don't like it when guys take it to the next level. i feel like they are showing off they have money. i like the whole polo style but when is goes over board i am not a fan. i like the whole american style where guys don't need to dress to impressed. :)

caroline sovich

Anonymous said...

I love this article because this is a really fun, unique trend. The style is so classy and fashionable and I love the more conservative look. There is a fine line on how to do this without looking like you stole your grandparents horrible clothes. The color scheme is so true to the article, much tan and brown are seen. The classic style can be mixed with modern pieces, like jewelry and accessories, to keep it modern classic.
Nicollette Weis

Nicholas White said...

Agreed! It is very exciting to see these vintages trends returning. I am the same size my dad was when he was in college and he still has all of his suits/jackets/slacks. Last weekend at Keenelend I actually wore his wool Watch Plaid Suit, many people stopped and and asked about it.

Anonymous said...

I think it's really cool to see that all of the old fashion styles are coming back. I think that almost all of our fashion lately has been from previous decades. It's funny to see how things recycle. I'd be interested to see in the next 40-50 years what the fashion is going to be. I feel like any fashion styles that our generation have worn are just recycled from previous generations, it makes me wonder what people years from now will be recycling from what were wearing now.

-Lexy Ball

Katie Buckley said...

I really like how vintage trends are coming back in style! However, I feel that some people may take the vintage look a little far and end up looking like their grandpa. However, if you add modern touches to the vintage look guys can really end up looking nice, fashionable and in style. I like it when guys keep up with the fashion trends, I just hope they don't take it too far and still remember what age they are. I'm excited to see more of this look on campus and see what the guys have to offer!

Holly Sackett said...

I really like this new collegiate trend! A few years ago, I really wanted to buy a UK Varsity jacket/sweater but I could never find one. Now, they have tons of this sort of thing. I like that this article focuses on guy's trend because so many of the posts we do are all about the ladies. It is cool to see guys jump in on this trend as well. Most guys tend to be a bit more classic with their style instead of trendy but this is a great way to incorporate some great trends. Great article focusing on something that is really in right now!

Laura Montera said...

I love this article because i have always been a fan of the vintage look. Recently my boyfriend has started wearing his dads high school lettermen jacket. This makes me happy because the 50's and 60's is one of my favorite clothing time periods. And now you can finally get away with wearing you parents old clothes that were cool back then!

Anonymous said...

I love that mens fashion has become such a big topic. I have never really paid much attention to it before. I love anything vintage especially the letter jackets. Its a nice change from the same old polo shirts and khaki look. Props to any guy who can create fashionable looks.
-Alanna Bouhl

Sydney Fulkerson said...

Firstly I love it when guys have great style. The collegiate look especially is very attractive on guys if they know how to pull it off. The classic preppy look is my favorite but with added personal style. Such as what they pair a button down with and their belts, shoes, etc. I would hate for all guys to dress the same, so personal touches within a certain style is great. I don't think guys consider themselves "trendy" but frat guys especially tend to have an overall style going for them that changes throughout the years.
-Sydney Fulkerson

Anonymous said...

This blog was really impressive. I appreciate the attention to finer men's style. I love these new styles coming back. It is refreshing to see actual clothes instead of pocket t's and and rush week shirts. I hope to see these styles seep into lexington! I reminds me of being near a city again. Seeing a guy in a trendy blazer automatically ups their game. The perfect combination of past and present styles makes for great fall fashions.

-Jackie Basta

Tyesha Clayton said...

I am loving this new trend in menswear. The vintage look is taking over and it's cool to see men accepting it. They're usually reluctant, unlike us girls, but this is something that looks more sophisicated, polished and normal. Mixing modern with these vintage staples is what keeps the look evolving. I've seen guys walking around campus sporting this look and I hope to see more as time goes by.

Jameal Reed said...

I love when a guy has a great sense of style! When a man can walk into a room with a well thought out fashionable outfit he automatically stands out in the crowd. Guys are really stepping up their fashion game and going beyond the basic graphic tee and jeans. I love vintage and preppy looks for men (and women). The sweaters, slacks, blazers, and vests are so mature looking yet there is still a youthful edge. I'm kinda over the "just rolled out of bed" look for college men and am more into the overall polished look.

Andrea Keller said...

At first I was not a fan of some of the vintage trends coming back out, however now they are starting to grow on me! This article caught my attention right away because I do believe this is a popular and exciting trend coming back! I really like this style because I believe you can play it up alot while still looking classy! There are alot of cool things you can do with the vintage look!

Samarie Walker said...

I am just now becoming a fan of the vintage look. I absolutely love it! After researching and studying trends from the 60's-90's, I have a new appreciation for "old school" fashion. The good thing about these trends recycling is that we are able to bring that era back while adding a bit of our own style/swag to it.

Ryan Nicholson said...

Fall is full of new looks for both guys and girls. I like this article because I believe to is true. If you were able to go to Keeneland during the last meet, you would have seen may examples of what this article is talking about. The vintage look seems to be a cool style where you can express your personality. I myself have an older blazer in my closet that I only pull out when the time is right.

dhirsch said...

Its nice to see these trends coming back. The conservative style of the 50's can be a good look. Although when I was an athlete in high school I never wore a letterman jacket. I never saw the need to have one. If you were good enough then people would know you were on the team. Also sometimes I feel people try to hard to pull off the conservative trend of the 50's and end up going overboard. But if it is worn right then it can look fashionable.