5 Chic (But Cheap) Looks for Spring on Campus

By Laura Iglehart, Student at Georgetown University

With the onset of warmer weather comes the thrill of spring clothes. Before you bust out warm weather apparel, make sure to stock your closet with these five, inexpensive spring essentials. Trust me, they’ll become instant closet staples!

Sneaks, kicks — whatever you call them — you’ve got to have a pair. Hopefully, the warmer weather will inspire you to get out and explore, so make sure you have some comfortable and super-cool shoes to slip on. I recommend a pair of Converse or Superga — both brands offer a timeless and comfortable style in an array of spring colors.

No matter the season, I can always be found wearing a scarf. For warmer weather, I like light cotton or knit printed ones. They are the easiest way to jazz up any outfit and are practical on cooler spring nights. Although a bit pricey, L-Atitude has a fabulous variety of prints and fabrics that you can wear all the time.

A graphic T-shirt will become a closet staple as you transition into warm weather. Choose one with a neutral background and a cool design or logo on it. Pair it with your jorts (jean shorts) and sneaks for a spring concert or a cute skirt for a casual night out. Urban Outfitters and Zara always seem to have a plentiful supply.

Hands down, jorts are THE spring/summer necessity. For chillier spring days, you can pair them over tights, but for warmer spring and summer days, the pairing possibilities are endless — tank tops and flip-flops for a day at the beach, belted tunic and wedges for date night or a T-shirt and sneaks for a daytime excursion. I would advise looking (or making) a looser pair to wear over bathing suit bottoms. American Apparel and Gap always have cheap and comfortable pairs in stock.

Few things are more exciting than slipping on a new day dress as you rush off to class. Look for one for one that satisfies all (or most) of the following criteria: wrinkle resistant, ability to be washed at home (not drycleaned), layer-able (over tights, under a sweater, with your new scarf) and lightweight. I would suggest opting for a solid color because it will prove to be much more versatile than a printed frock. No matter the season, Madewell seems to have the most stylish and comfortable day dresses.

Image from Superga

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