Spring Semester Dressing

I find it funny that you would think that "Fall Semester" would be colder than "Spring Semester" for obvious reasons. In Champaign, Illinois, though, that is entirely untrue. Basically what happens is upon returning to campus, which is another 4 days of utter boredom for me since all of my friends at different schools have left me, we have to trek all over the Chambana streets while wearing 3 different layers of sweaters/cardigans/cozy coats (or in the case of every lemming sorority girl, Northface+Uggs -- which I am embarrassingly guilty of on occasion, but don't worry, I've now purchased enough flat, warm boots with proper linings in brown AND black so I won't have to step foot in an UGGly, hehe, pair of boots again), scarves, gloves (obvs with proper texting capabilities), hats, etc. only to get to class to peel off such apparel and be sweating your ass off trying to squeeze into some lecture hall that clearly needs to be remodeled because the desk you're trying to balance your morning Starbucks on is about to fall off its hinges. Needless to say, you become very uncomfortable. Thus, Spring Semester and dressing for its unpredictable extremes is very difficult.

So, I have put together a few pieces that can be worn during freezing January/February, but won't have to be cast away when there's a fluke warm day in March (let's pray that day is Unofficial, please, sun!), only to return to dreary, chilly temperatures.


Forever 21, $37.80
As Calvin Klein and Donna Karan have so kindly demonstrated for us on Fall runways, neutrals are back, and in a big way. I think it's a great trend since everyone seems to gravitate towards neutral shades at one point or another anyway since people aren't intimidated if a piece matches a bunch of things in their closet. That being said, a nice trench is always a good bet. While you probably can't get away with wearing this somewhat lighter jacket just yet, it's a great transitional piece. I do like trenches in unexpected colors, hell, I like anything really in unexpected colors, but I have been very into the neutral scene lately as well. A cream or camel trench is perfect for layering over a chunky knit, and you can still use your winter accessories if it's still a bit cold out.

Club Monaco
Ever since I bought my little sister arm warmers from The Gap for Christmas, I've been obsessed with the whole idea. I love the long knit function, especially when you wear a short-sleeved shirt underneath your coat, and the draft goes right through those sleeves. These gloves combine the best of both worlds for a really chic look. Leather gloves are a staple in any winter weather fashionista's wardrobe, but adding the long knit arm to them is genius and looks really polished.


Bakers, $15.90 on sale!
Unfortunately, as functional as flat riding boots are, by the time it gets slightly warm, people would rather show off a pedi, or at least get closer to doing so, then toughing it out in a winter/fall look. That's why this semester is just so hard, I'm telling you! It's too cold, but all you want to wear is your favorite pair of sandals. Try not to give in and cause your toes to get frostbite, though, and invest in a pair of flats you love. While you really don't have to "invest" in these per se, since they're marked down from $45, they have a really luxe look to them with the gold-plated toe. The red is a nice accent color, especially to those neutrals I've been raving about.


Urban Outfitters, $49
Light-weight sweaters are the answer to transitional wear. Longer, tunic-inspired fits are perfect due to the fact they can be paired with knit leggings or skinny jeans in the colder months, or skirts or denim shorts when it gets warmer. Plus, the vertical black and white stripes on this cardigan are super flattering for any figure.


Express, $49.90
When going out on campus, it's pretty easy to throw on some opaque tights underneath a skirt. This skirt is a nice twist on the basic bandage with the diagonal pattern. With a black off-the-shoulder top and some open-toe cobalt blue pumps, this skirt can work easily into the end of the semester when it actually feels like spring, but can still be worn right now with a boyfriend blazer and chic scarf.