Without an HR department, a school principal, or — remember this? — your parents around to harsh your outfits, it would make sense that college campuses would be the bastion of great personal style. However, students still have that hard-fought reputation of being some of the laziest dressers on the planet. Still, for every coed rolling to class in sweats, flip-flops, and last night’s mascara, there’s another who takes full advantage of the chance to express her individuality. We hit the campus streets to seek out the sartorial A-students who give college style a good name.
Kat Kaye is a photography major at Art Center College of Design and wears a Michael Kors jacket, Front Row Shop pants, and Oak platforms.
Sarah Nesheim is a media, culture, and communications major at NYU and wears a Necessary Clothing sweater, Kimchi Blue dress, and Doc Martens.
Academy of Art University student Paige Ricks wears a vintage shirt, backpack, and skirt, American Apparel jacket, Urban Outfitters necklace, and Bottega Veneta shoes.
Violet Paine is an astronautical engineering major at USC and wears a vintage dress, Robert Clergerie shoes, and a vintage tote.
Talia Rochas is a junior at F.I.T. and studies fashion merchandising. Her coat is Topshop, her dress is thrifted, her turtleneck H&M, and her boots Anne Klein.
Dia Donnelly is a film composition major at Academy of Art and wears Zara jeans, a vintage jacket, a Santa Cruz sweatshirt, Serengeti sunglasses, and Doc Martens.
TJ Barry is a theater major at USC and she’s decked out in head-to-toe vintage.
Neysha De León is studying sportswear design at F.I.T. and is in a hat that was part of her thesis collection for a millinery class.
USC anthropology major Jessica Farrell rocks a vintage shirt and a Panama hat.
Xin Liu is a fashion merchandising student at Academy of Art University, and wears handmade shoes, her dad’s sweater, a Maje leather jacket, a J.Crew scarf, and a Céline bag.
Prospective F.I.T. student Emmy Chorphaka wears a Supreme hat, a Zara coat, and boots from a boutique in Soho.
Academy of Art student Kristen Almy studies graphic design and wears an American Apparel sweater, Dolce Vita shoes, Fiat Luxe pants, and vintage sunnies.
NYU senior Rachel Nigro is studying literature and creative writing. She’s wearing her dad’s jacket, an Anthropologie jumpsuit, Frye boots, and Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Michelle Hendrawan is a fashion merchandising major at Academy of Art and wears a Zara top, J. Brand jeans, Tod’s shoes, a Chanel bag, and Urban Outfitters sunglasses.
Rachel Darmody is studying communication design at Parsons and wears a vintage varsity jacket, an adidas blazer, Urban Outfitters bag, and Zara shoes.
Ashley Williams is studying music production for the visual media at Academy of Art. She wears a Tommy Hilfiger trench, Zara dress, McQueen sunglasses, and a Pieces bag.
