College was an entirely eye opening experience. Though I was still in Indiana, I was exposed to people from all over the U.S., even all over the world. Of course there were those coeds who rolled out of bed and wore their sweats to class, lucky if they brushed their teeth. There were also girls who I considered much more stylish than I. I recall one lovely brunette who wore a silk scarf as a headband and a maxi jean skirt. I was in awe and purchased my own jean maxi immediately.
I think that jean maxi was a turning point. I stopped shopping at Abercrombie and soon learned about Forever 21, my fashion savior. We had to drive for a good hour to get to the nearest Forever 21, but it was so worth it. I would stock up on as much as I could. Farewell khakis, hello cute skirts, tops, and dresses!
It wasn't always smooth sailing. My friends and I went through a dressing phase that you might call "skanky frat hoodrat". I don't know if college girls still wear tight flared black pants to frat parties, but that was pretty much ALL we wore! When paired with a tight, sometimes midriff baring top and some chunky boots, you were ready to rock.
I eventually grew out of dressing like I belonged on a street corner (okay it wasn't THAT bad). I started devouring Harper's Bazaar and InStyle magazines. I emulated looks I saw in those pages, using my much less expensive resources.
I remember one of my favorite outfits mixed brown and black. I had previously considered it fashion law that one should NEVER pair black with brown or black with navy blue. This outfit consisted of a black turtleneck sweater, black miniskirt, black suede knee high boots, brown boho belt tied low on my waist, and brown handbag with some gold jewelry. I felt so chic in this look. At long last, I was learning that individuality is a wonderful thing.
