A pretty little wilderness ([info]heytherestephy) wrote in [info]fatshionista,
2009-09-22 11:51:00
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University Wear + Fashion Question

Well it is September 22nd today and that means that the OUAC website opens up the application section for University Applications. I will be attending university in the fall (I'm actually 20, and will be 21 when I attend) for English Literature. I'm hoping to be able to go to University of Toronto if all goes to plan.

I was wondering, what fashion staples do you guys swear by? What would you wear to Frosh week? Comfy and Casual or Cute?

I'm quite tall and finding jeans and pants that aren't about 4 inches too short is difficult for me, HOWEVER, I do have access to a Tallgirl store at Yorkdale Mall and many of their jeans and clothing go up to a size 20 (I'm between a 16 and 18). I will be commuting by either subway or streetcar or both and I want something cute and comfortable for that journey because lets face it, the subway is anything BUT glamorous. I will be living in Toronto (main and danforth area) and therefore will have access to all the shops downtown and my budget is mid-range, I realize at Tallgirl I'll be spending anywhere from $60-$150 on jeans depending on style, brand, etc.

And I'm not sure if this is allowed, but University staples that you guys swear by would be greatly appreciated. And just so this isn't a boring text post...


..And I love it to bits, but the truth is it is a bit big and the arms make my arms look like mutton chops. I want to cut the arms down to a mid-upper arm cuffed arm with a puffed sleeve. That is not my issue though, my issue is... how to accessorize! I was thinking a belt, it already has a somewhat defined waist but I feel its too understated. The waist has some applique detail but I was thinking of a brown belt with bronze buckle/accent as the buttons on the bust are bronze. I'm also at a loss as to what to wear with it. It looks ridiculous without leggings to me, right now I'm wearing it with charcoal leggings and black flats, but I was thinking of perhaps proper solid colour tights and bronze flats or is that too much? What about leggings that are ankle length and sandals? (or booties in the winter?)

Here is the dress:

Photobucket


And can you guys tell I love this colour? It's beautiful... I have a top in this colour too he he.

For the record:

Model: 5'10", 240lbs, 16/18 bottom, XL/XXL top.
Dress: Old Navy, size XXL (XL was too snug in the bust)
Shoes: Payless, size 11
Kitchen: Awful, 1980s

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[info]dazed_in_punk

September 23 2009, 01:30:36 UTC 2 years ago

I went through college with t-shirts/jeans... haha so I'm a big comfort when studying kind of person.
But that color is amazing =]

Deleted comment

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 01:37:23 UTC 2 years ago

I can imagine! I'm going to be commuting too on the subway :)

[info]kisha

September 23 2009, 01:48:32 UTC 2 years ago

Undergrad: jeans, t-shirts, sneakers
Graduate: jeans, t-shirt, sneakers

Not much has changed. Hahaha.

[info]oldfoundnew

September 23 2009, 03:19:47 UTC 2 years ago

jeans, t-shirts and sneakers are really the only way to live in university, lol.

[info]atlcatsmeow

September 23 2009, 01:51:31 UTC 2 years ago

I have that same dress. I wear it with gold hoop earrings and stack of gold bangle bracelets that match the buttons' color and a big gold cocktail ring. I also wear frye campus boots in cognac with it. I had mine hemmed so it's just above my knees. I have also worn it with a white cotton skirt peeking out underneath it.

[info]anxiety_junkie

September 23 2009, 01:58:32 UTC 2 years ago

Oh honey, trust me on one thing; when you roll out of bed for the 8am class that you had to sign up for because it was the only English 201 with any spaces left, you'll be wearing your pajama bottoms and a pair of birkenstocks/crocs/flipflops.

Seriously, stock up on a couple pairs of flannel pajama bottoms that you don't mind being seen out in. Or better yet, yoga pants. Because you'll find yourself going to the movies in them, and you won't care.

Man, I miss college. *g*

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 02:29:32 UTC 2 years ago

Haha... I'm a bus kid, I spent the last year getting up at 6:30am to get on a 7:20am school bus from the end of my road. I still get up at 6:30am to drive my brother to the bus stop for the 7:20am bus at the end of our road LOL

[info]pewter

2 years ago

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[info]sunnyescape

2 years ago

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[info]bearsintheair

September 23 2009, 02:00:25 UTC 2 years ago

I tried on that dress the other day - it's gorgeous. Looks way better on you than it did on me, though. I think it looks fine with bare legs, but either way I'd go with bronze or nude-colored shoes. I think brown tights would look really pretty too.

I pretty much lived in jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, and chucks during college. I wore a dress to class ONCE and it was this big huge deal because no one had ever seen me in anything else. Silly.

[info]jenellebelle

September 23 2009, 02:29:33 UTC 2 years ago

omg

omg I just bought this exact dress!!! I am planning on wearing it with black-ankle length leggings and black ballet flats- and a little 3/4 length sleeve black cardigan-as I am also not to wooped up about the sleeves..that's too funny.
You look really pretty in it.
and I love the color too-that's what sold me :)
So glad you posted this cuz I was going back and forth about wearing it with charcoal grey tights and now I will try it come winter :)
~Jenellebelle

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 02:43:51 UTC 2 years ago

Re: omg

Woot! I'm all for hacking up the arms... I have a background in sewing so it won't be too hard. I can wear it with a cardy afterwards if need-be in the winter. I was thinking maybe a brown strappy flat sandal kind of in the summer months and booties over the winter.

[info]rantgoesthegirl

September 23 2009, 02:29:56 UTC 2 years ago

im so the wrong person to ask as a textile/fashion major at an art school. but.
oversized leather hangbags (fuck backpacks.), crazy sunglasses, lots of jewelry (basically just stuff so when you wear jeans and a fitted tshirt, you dont look so lazy). pashminas. i love pashminas.

ive neevr seen anyone wear pj pants to class myself, but i hear thats more common with regular schools, so really i wouldnt worry that much.

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 02:37:23 UTC 2 years ago

Cool! I adore fashion/textiles but I rarely dress like I do.

I used to wear Pjs to class in high school if I was too lazy to get up/get dressed.

I bought a super cute scarf/"pashmina" at Old Navy at the same time, colourful and plaid and I have no idea how to style it without looking weird.

[info]calel

September 23 2009, 02:30:55 UTC 2 years ago

I dressed so terribly in college. Mostly ill fitting clothes from the men's department or oversized t-shirts with jeans.

My fashion staples these days are dark jeans, solid colored fitted t-shirts, and cardigans in all sorts of cuts & colors.

[info]buyamattress

September 23 2009, 05:03:50 UTC 2 years ago

Your fashion staples (current) are what I mostly see on my college campus. I would add jersey dresses/skirts as well. Flats mostly, or Converse, and flip-flops when it's warm enough. And fancier tops for going out to parties, if you do that kinda thing.

[info]heytherestephy

2 years ago

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[info]postwar_dream

September 23 2009, 02:50:52 UTC 2 years ago

I go to UofT! :)
Also, I find that compared to other schools, people dress up more here for class. I dress up everyday, but uoft means lots of walking, so I tend to wear flats.

Good luck!!

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 02:53:01 UTC 2 years ago

What program are you in? :D

I applied for Humanities with a major (interest :) ) in English, hopefully I get in... I don't really want to go to York but my other choice (Trent) is really too far away from where I live near Belleville and obviously too far from my dads downtown appartment.

I had to apply with the 105 application because I took this year off school.

[info]postwar_dream

2 years ago

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[info]heytherestephy

2 years ago

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[info]sexandsoup

2 years ago

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[info]aleh_mc

2 years ago

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[info]heytherestephy

2 years ago

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[info]tiggerratty

September 23 2009, 03:07:49 UTC 2 years ago

oh I REALLY love that colour! maybe you could alter the sleeves into cap sleeves? and a brown belt would be my first choice too.

staples! in my second year of college and I live on converses, flats and cardigans. definitely cardigans! all the best :)

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 03:24:55 UTC 2 years ago

Cap sleeves would make my arms look enormous, I like the look of the puffed sleeve though.

[info]onlyindreams22

September 23 2009, 03:13:22 UTC 2 years ago

From a current university student...

I guess I'm vain, because I never wear sweats to school, let alone pyjama pants. Aside from commuting and walking between classes, you're sitting on your butt all day. The only things you really need are comfortable shoes (boots, sneakers, flats), cardigans (because temperatures differ from building to building), and a bag big enough to fit everything you need for the day.

I make the effort to pick out what I'm going to wear the night before, so I'm not rushing in the morning. I live in skirts and shirts, because I like mixing and matching, but on my lazy days I throw on a dress and cardigan.

I know it's "just school," but you'll be interacting with and being seen by lots of people, so I think it's worth making the effort to look, at the very least, not like you just rolled out of bed.

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 03:17:46 UTC 2 years ago

Re: From a current university student...

I would wear pjs/sweats to school on days I wasn't feeling great or when I just couldn't be bothered. I live on a farm right now, so being in the city I'll be able to look cute a lot more LOL because flats and horses/chickens/ducks/goats don't go together real well it seems.

[info]mirandajay

2 years ago

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[info]socrepuscular

September 23 2009, 03:51:07 UTC 2 years ago

I came so close to buying that dress in black! I love it!

As for school fashion staples... I'm still in the dressing up in cute but less comfortable ways stage of school, but once midterm time rolls around I bet I will be in my jeans/yoga pants, shirt+cardigan/hoodie, and chucks rut. I do have a few semi-cute, really comfortable, tunic length tops I wear with skinny jeans that make it into the mix. I would definitely advise you to go for function over appearance with foot wear, because let me tell you, nothing is worse that walking around with soggy and/or uncomfortable shoes all day at school.

[info]fabulous_fattie

September 23 2009, 03:56:24 UTC 2 years ago

i'd look into naturlizers for shoes. they go up to atleast a size 11, are very comfortable and actually have some cute styles. they don't offer size 11W in most of thyeirt flats but the stores will stretch them for free. i really like this style
http://www.naturalizer.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC0219355&pg=3005809
you also may want to get atleast one pair of sweatpants or yoga pants that are a *bit* nicer looking, for days when you want to wear sweats

[info]fabulous_fattie

September 23 2009, 03:59:21 UTC 2 years ago

also you may want to invest in a very supportive backpack. i'm in grade 12 of highschool and i've tried using a relativel roomie bookbag/shoulderbag. NOPE. my back is already killing me and i only have 2 classes that i actually need textbooks for.

[info]heytherestephy

2 years ago

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[info]enid_pembroke

September 23 2009, 03:56:43 UTC 2 years ago

Wow, for some reason the fact that you mentioned OUAC amused me!

I'm currently in my second year of univesity. Last year, most of my clothes came from Joe Fresh. There's at least two Superstores in Toronto (not downtown though) and I think that if you're between a 16 and 18 you should be fine for shirts at least, since I'm not sure if their jeans are that long. I mostly bought a few pairs of jeans and some basic sweaters, with stripes, etc. This year, my fashion sense has changed and I've gotten more into cardigans, skinny jeans and accessories.

For Frosh week, I wouldn't worry too much about being cute. I don't go to U of T, so I can't say for sure, but I would assume it would be hot and besides you may have to wear a t-shirt they give you. Maybe if there are night events or whatever you can try to look cute. Ha, sorry I really don't know much about Frosh week at U of T, which is actually kind of sad.

[info]enid_pembroke

September 23 2009, 04:03:49 UTC 2 years ago

Wait, Joe Fresh is available downtown, in Forest Hill apparently!

[info]heytherestephy

2 years ago

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[info]mahsox_mahsox

September 23 2009, 04:01:12 UTC 2 years ago

Cardigans, you definitely want a cardigan or two. I used cardigans in neutral colors a lot at uni. When you are out a whole day, sometimes the weather changes. Even if you have a jacket or coat on, sometimes you want more under it, especially first thing in the morning and then waiting for the bus coming home at night. Cardigans shove nicely into spare spaces in your backpack when you aren't using them.

[info]erinleighralph

September 23 2009, 04:55:57 UTC 2 years ago

I went to U of T for undergrad (finished 2006 so still relevant and not too old, I hope) and I literally lived in yoga pants/hospital pants (my degree is in English Lit & Sociology) and a hoodie all four years.

You may encounter a few people who actually care but they're in the minority. U of T is pretty elitist but moreso academically - if you wear comfy clothes and do well you're off to a good start;) I second the comments about Joe Fresh (affordable, I think there's a location @ the Loblaws in the St. Clair/Eg. West area) and I lived in Old Navy yoga pants.

[info]heytherestephy

September 23 2009, 05:05:56 UTC 2 years ago

I was worried about academic elitism, but at the same time last year I was accepted at Carleton and would have been accepted at Queens had I written the student declaration. I just couldn't be bothered in the end considering I wasn't in a situation where I could go to university that year (this year) and feel financially okay about it.

[info]erinleighralph

2 years ago

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[info]heytherestephy

2 years ago

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[info]whipitgood08

September 23 2009, 05:00:44 UTC 2 years ago

This sounds like me.

I am a undergrad sophomore and this semester I have 8am EVERYDAY. So while it does suck, once I got into the routine of getting dressed and commuting to campus the mornings weren't bad. My usual wardrobe is jeans, blouse/cardigan and flip-flops or converse. I do tend to dress up to go to class, or at least people tell me that, but I just dress comfortably I think. Most of my clothes come from Alloy, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, ASOS, Dorothy Perkins, Target and Old Navy. Most of these places have sales like all the time, so thats how I justify Dorothy Perkins and ASOS.
I am about 5'9ish, 5'10 on a good day and Alloy has jeans that have up to a 37 inseam and they are a good price I think. Most of my blouses come from Old Navy http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5441&vid=1&pid=675590&scid=675590022 (I have been living in these!! They do have more colors in store though) or Target. And the best place for cardigans IMO is target, old navy, or alloy. Forever 21 and UO is for all my accesories and tank tops, basic tee's etc.
I am not sure what is in Canada but Ross and Marshalls are great places to go also.
I was gonna give you some things that helped me while commuting for early classes but you might not care...so I'll spare you lol
Hope this helps.

[info]m_to_the_lo

September 23 2009, 06:32:11 UTC 2 years ago

I am consistently overdressed for my life BUT

I don't feel like its an either or thing. You can have the best of both worlds. Being a college student, having to commute, being sleep deprived, etc, doesn't mean your daily wardrobe has to be by default jeans and a tshirt because that's easy (unless that's what you want to wear of course). I personally neverrr wear pants to college, so much so that people bring it up any time I do, and think something is wrong. I was packing today for college and I'd say 80 percent of my school wardrobe will, as it has the last three years, consist of dresses. The other pieces include a few flirty skirts, a pencil skirt, and a single pair of jeans. I have several v-neck t's, a few ruffly tanks and blouses, and tons of scarves and tights. If you think of it in pieces, a dress and tights is actually easier to put on, and can often be much more interesting and fun than jeans. I'd pair a dress or skirt&shirt with tights, a great pair of flat boots, a scarf and a NICE coat. You always look put together that way, like you've made an effort, yet its so easy. Get some accessories that make you happy and you're all set!

[info]awkscientist

September 23 2009, 07:07:45 UTC 2 years ago

I'm in uni right now (U of Alberta, so I know how the winter up here works too, lol), and mine is split - I'm a Science student with an Arts minor (Bio major, English minor), and depending on how my classes and labs are split, I pretty much had 'theme' days last year. M-W-F was science, so it was jeans and a tee/cami & sweater/hoodie, while Tuesdays and Thursdays involved more scarves and blouses that tend to get look odd in a 9 am zoology class, while my funny threadless or science tees look out of place in English. It sounds vain, but hey, it's what I do. This year though, it's a bit more loosey goosey, as the higher up your classes go, the more individuality you show.

Personally, never been a fan of sweatpants or pjs in class, but that was before my fat acceptance, where I thought I'd look slovenly in my sweats, whereas the skinny chicks have cuter sweatpants and get away with it (and still do, but I don't care). Either way, it comes down to the situation of the day - do you have active classes, are you sitting all day, are you there in the cold morning to the warm afternoon, do you have to work after school? All these things roll into one, huge, 'WTF am I going to wear today' battle royale.

[info]fabulous_fattie

September 25 2009, 03:59:18 UTC 2 years ago

exciting! i'm (hopefully) going to the u of a augustana campus (in camrose) next year but i actually live within walking distance of the university

[info]kakugori

September 23 2009, 07:15:24 UTC 2 years ago

I tried on the black version of that dress, and it just didn't do anything for me. Looks like it fits you well through the torso, so I wouldn't do a belt with it. In my eyes, it looks good like this without tights or leggings but for colder weather it would be nice with them. This dress calls for a nice pendant necklace and a stack of bracelets. Greys, browns, mustard yellow maybe even a dark red would look nice, with some bright green or pink accessories. Bronze shoes should be good. Just to mention, it looks a bit see-through up top in this picture.

As for college wear, most of the students I'm around just wear some form of jeans and t-shirt, maybe a hoodie. Some dress up a bit more, will layer tops and whatnot but it's still very casual. I like a bit more, adding a skirt every now and then, cardis, some nice jackets, boots and cool sandals that all let me look a little dressier but just as comfy as a t-shirt and jeans. My suggestion is to give yourself options, because some days you may well want to dress up a bit in a skirt or dress, but then there will be laundry days and homework weekends and that hell known as finals. Comfy, casual and cute for me, but no sweatpants or any of that. The most lazy I get is hiding my hair with a hat.

[info]alexandralynch

September 23 2009, 09:18:59 UTC 2 years ago

I don't know how the stores are in the civilized part of the continent versus here in the USA, but I used to need a tall in pants; all my height's in my legs. So I'm broke for a couple years, don't buy new clothes, went to Lane Bryant, and got the talls off the shelf, of course. They went six inches past my toes. And the fabric stretches out another inch as you wear it. So I think their talls might fit the bill on pants, as they seem to be designing everything a little longer than they were.

[info]whatthebananas

September 23 2009, 11:21:23 UTC 2 years ago

I was always one of the only people in the engineering building in high heels... so my idea of uni wear may be slightly different :) Often, to be honest, I was extremely lazy about dressing, I just substituted jeans for denim pencil skirt and black tights with knee high boots - much more suitable for rainy Bristol weather, but also looks more put together. And build up a collection of cute tshirts with details of some kind - just wearing them with jeans and cute flats makes you look a thousand times more dressed up than a plain tshirt, jeans and trainers, but requires no more effort whatsoever.

[info]missmiss307

September 23 2009, 15:34:27 UTC 2 years ago

I'd say my staples would be a few good pairs of jeans (I prefer darker wash and wide-leg trousers because they are a little dressier) and some great flats. Then you can pair those with just about any top you want. Cardigans are great, too!

[info]pinkitababita

September 24 2009, 15:57:46 UTC 2 years ago

ah college wear! Ok you don't need to worry about it. I go to college in America, on campus the typical female wear is uggs, denim mini skirts, college tee shirt/hoodie, north face jacket, leggings. I oppose all of those, however. My point is just that it's not like college fashion sets the bar high, don't feel any pressure! Get laid back clothes for class, nicer clothes for going out/presentations, business casual clothes for internships. Take the culture into consideration too, at my school on the east coast I wear lots of skinny jeans, nicer tops, blazers, tunics, cardigans, sweats. I'm studying in the middle east this semester and brought more dresses and sandals. My only real advice is DON'T try too hard - don't be the over dressed girl who wears heels and a full face of make up to sit in lecture. Natural and simple is best imo. Also, buy clothes from your college! Sweats, hoodies, shirts, the best way to be lazy at school is in your school's clothes (not that this option is fashionable, at all).
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