Fall Fashion Trends – THE EXPONENT

“Fall is here and flannel is in.” 

As the temperature lowers and the seasons change, Baldwin Wallace students transition to clothing that complements the current weather. Many students wear similar items and styles, establishing fashion trends on campus.      

“I see a lot of jeans with a tight shirt and a loose button-up left open,” said freshman Claire Fischer. “Big sweatshirts are also a staple and for accessories, claw clips.”  

According to junior Austin Patterson, trends from previous eras have been making a comeback on campus.      

“I’ve been seeing a lot of flare jeans and flare pants,” Patterson said, “the trend of bringing back old fashion from the nineties and seventies is definitely still going on with me because I am a retro person.”      

While several fads have developed on campus, certain staple items are timeless and ideal for fall.      

“I feel like a flannel, or a big throw-over is nice to have because if it’s neutral too, you can wear it with anything,” Fischer said, “and sweaters in general and a good pair of jeans.”     

Many students struggle to find the motivation to dress up for classes in the cold weather. Junior Maddie Hopkins said she could relate to this dilemma. 

 “I try to style leggings in a fashionable way like layering something on top or wearing a nicer shirt.” Hopkins said, “I try to find ways to incorporate comfortable pants, and those are warm too.”       

According to Hopkins, fall is the perfect time to experiment with layering different items to create outfits.      

“Sweaters and long sleeves can be layered in different ways,” Hopkins said, “whereas in the summer, because of how warm it is, that is not really possible, so you have to keep things very basic, but in the fall, you can be more extravagant with your choices.”      

There are various stores around the Berea area, including the Strongsville mall, where students can shop for trendy fall clothes.      

“Hollister has some nice, cute sweaters and cardigans,” said Patterson, “H & M has some nice button-downs that you could put a coat or a blazer over just to have something under it.”   

Many students have been shopping at thrift stores to find items for their wardrobe, and Patterson said his first time doing so “was a big changing point.”   

Second-hand stores such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill offer a large variety of clothes for people regardless of their style preferences.  

“I go to Goodwill a lot for turtlenecks, big t-shirts, and men’s button-ups,” said Fischer “it’s cheap and better for the environment.”      

Students can also create outfits with items that they already own. Incorporating these pieces allows them to blend their sense of style with popular trends.     

“I like baggy jeans and baggy jackets because they are easy to mix with things that people probably already have,” Fischer said, “so you can mix your tight summer tops with baggy jeans, and it still works, so they have a lot of versatility.”   

Patterson said that he has been exploring his own sense of style and that what matters most is feeling comfortable and confident in what you are wearing.  

“For too long thought that if I dressed feminine, it would scare people off,” said Patterson, “but I walk around in high heels, and people come up to me all the time saying how much they admire my confidence, so just do whatever you want because at the end of the day no one cares except you.”