By Gianna Cipolloni
From landfills overflowing with textiles to closets bombarded with piles of discarded garments, society’s attachment to fast fashion has resulted in immense overconsumption. In recent years, social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram have fed into a cycle of rapidly changing trends. The state of the fashion industry is not only harmful for the planet, but overwhelming for busy college students who can neither keep up with what is trending nor afford to buy new clothes constantly.
Although it is tempting to buy flashy items that just hit the shelves, investing in staple clothing is far more practical, affordable, and sustainable. Staples are comfortable, timeless pieces that go beyond the typical one-time use of clothing from Shein or Temu. For example, a plain white tee and a pair of blue denim jeans can be used for multiple outfits. So, instead of looking for statement pieces, one can opt for a basic look that is versatile and relatively easy to style.
Further, with the fall weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, it’s important to be prepared for what Mother Nature has in store. One way to combat the cold while rocking a dynamic look is through layering. So, take that white tee and blue jeans and top it off with a cardigan or stylish coat. Add a belt and modify the tee to fit the style you want to achieve. For a sophisticated look, tuck it into the waist of your jeans. For a more fitted silhouette, tie it to the back, or tuck it into your bra to add dimension. These simple styling techniques enhance that basic tee and make it feel fresh even when worn several times.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that when it comes to a staple wardrobe, less is more. It is easier to elevate simpler pieces than attempt to tone down more complex ones. This same concept applies to jewelry, too. To create a staple jewelry collection, find a layered necklace, a pair of hoops, a sleek watch, and a few minimalistic rings. Jewelry can be expensive, but saving money on reusable everyday accessories makes amping up simple outfits an achievable undertaking.
One might find it challenging to seamlessly incorporate color into a staple wardrobe. To prevent your outfit from clashing, match similar hues and tones with each other. It’s also crucial to find colors that compliment you! You may suit earth tones, cool tones, warm tones, pastels, brights, or neutrals. Finding the right shades for you will greatly strengthen your unique style. Using the colors that enhance your natural features will likely make you feel more confident in yourself. This boost in self-esteem is more everlasting than the result of limiting oneself to arbitrary clothing trends.
Settling on a reliable staple wardrobe is a process of trial and error that will look different for everyone. Ultimately, the takeaway is to be resourceful by wearing key items multiple times without being repetitive. Adopting these principles of quality over quantity can simultaneously expand upon one’s personal style while reducing environmental impact. Clothing is an outward form of expression and should be based on individuality as opposed to conformity with whatever is trendy at the moment.
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