While “collegiate style” might bring the easygoing undergraduate to mind, many of this season’s best collections took inspiration from a different muse: the grad student. Sweater vests, striped shirts, wool slacks, turtleneck sweaters, leather brogues—so many pieces would be right at home on a TA. These are not looks for lounging on the quad; they’re for hitting the books, grading papers, and sipping coffee at odd hours. Channel your inner academic by mixing preppy staples (dress pants, pleated skirts) with cheeky twists on the classics (long argyle socks, layered sweaters). Suddenly, dressing for the office doesn’t seem so bad.
5. Elevated athleisure
From left: Kallmeyer, Auralee, Miu MiuGeorge Chinsee/Victor Boyko/Getty Images
Athleisure gets a bad rap. While staples like sweatpants, athletic jackets, and track pants can skew a little too casual, clever styling tricks (courtesy of the likes of Auralee and Miu Miu this season) prove that your sportiest pieces can also be your most elegant. Consider traditional leggings tired—it’s all about relaxed bottoms now, styled alongside funnel-neck jackets and sweatshirts with enough personality to stand out from the crowd. (Celeb-approved stirrup and capri leggings also fit into this camp, by the way.) Adopt the pieces below and you’ll look less like a gym rat and more like a fashion insider, whether you’re hitting Pilates or grabbing Saturday-afternoon drinks.