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Sartorial Etiquette

MAILBAG: Schoolgirl in the City

Subject: (no subject)
hey,
sooo i’m going to college in a couple of weeks and i was wondering what clothes i should have for a school in a big city and also a bag for my school stuff. i know you answered a girl’s question about a bag for college but i need help and have a tendency to splurge on bags [usually coach] and i’d
appreciate your help finding one that i can carry my school stuff in and isn’t a backpack or a canvas totebag [both of which i used last year]. help me. i just threw out three pairs of gray sweatpants. my fashion sense is bad. i need an intervention.

-alyssa

Subject: Re: (no subject)
oh honey!
firstly, stop kicking your own ass about your lack of fashion sense. i was a big fat DON’T when i was a froshie; sometimes, i still strike out. fashion’s a learning experience, (just like college!) so let’s get you dressed for success. your tendency to splurge on coach bags tells me you’re willing to drop at least $200 on a tote (which, for a bag you’ll wear throughout your undergrad career, isn’t entirely unreasonable). i scoured bluefly.com first: check these.

cole haan gemma tote, $495 reduced to $266.99. tufi duek helena tote, $550 reduced to $296.99. a little more chic than those intertwined, canvas coach c’s, no?

urban outfitters has a bunch of options for all budgets too. the zip pocket messenger, $88, won’t hold a laptop or a heavy textbook, but it’s sleek and fab for classes with less baggage. but this sabina leather foldover bag, $245, is my fave. you can wear it nine different ways - it expands, it contracts, it’s like, alive or something.

i’m strongly against purchasing your other college essentials online, especially because EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE GOES ON SALE AROUND LABOR DAY. hit the sales near your hometown, and look for the following:

1. a pair of comfortable, flat boots; they should be roomy enough at the knee to accommodate pants.

2. straight-leg jeans. if you want to rock them day AND night, dark denim is the way to go.

3. a coat. this obvs depends on what city you’ll be attending school in. if it’s nyc, a fitted, wool peacoat is preppy-chic; if it’s chicago, be realistic (at northwestern, i wore a fitted, northface bomber jacket complete with furry hood); if it’s l.a., something lightweight like a canvas trench will do just fine.

4. a few loose-fitting, tunic-esque, lightweight sweaters - (deep v-necks or loose cardigans are best). don’t stress about going-out tops until after you’ve arrived and scoped the social scene (then, hit h&m and forever 21. nothing effs up evening clothes and shoes like college; spend little, party lots).

5. leggings. because after an all-nighter (business OR pleasure ;)) you won’t give a shit about looking cute for class.

good luck doll - you’ll do great
mwah!
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