The last year and a half has been tough for most of us. Either we have been directly affected by the coronavirusLinks to an external site. or we have had to deal with the restrictions that are in place to help stem the pandemic. For some sections of society this has been even more of a burden to handle than others.

Students have, for the most part, spent the past year or more siloed studying from homeLinks to an external site. or in campus accommodation, missing out on the key interaction with fellow students and those tasked with the job of educating them.  

The good news is that we’ve started to move away from restrictive lockdowns and students will finally be able to meet and experience student life as it should be. In order to prepare for the new year of college, you might want to splash out on new outfits and give your wardrobe an upgrade.

Below is a collection of fine, and affordable, fashion accessories that will greatly impress your fellow students and help you get back to some form of normality.

Silk Scarves

These are all the rage right now and are a nice affordable versatile accessory that should be part of every student’s wardrobe. You can wear these in multiple ways and if you get a good cross section of styles and designs, then you’ll find you are covered for just about every outfit you put together.

Oversized Tote Bag

Students tend to have to carry a bunch of items around with them during the day, whether it’s because you’ve got to get from one campus to another, or due to having to carry a laptop and provisions. So why not carry all that in style, with a fashionable oversized tote bag? Of all the accessories of 2021 this is perhaps the most functional, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be stylish. Look for bright candy colors and some extra detailing to make it really pop.

Personalized Jewelry

The likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Beyonce and even Kate Middleton (the Duchess of Cambridge), have all been seen wearing great personalized jewelry items this year, and it’s a fashion trend that is a great way to make a statement. Why not get an inexpensive gold name necklace that will help get you noticed and goes well with any ensemble, check these out here, you’ll see these aren’t as pricey as you might have first thought.

Wide Belts

We really can’t get enough of these. A nice wide belt can help break up a nice outfit. Some of those on offer from fashion outlets and online are simply to die for. Try out a nice jet black belt with some added detailing, maybe some chain links to make it really stand out. This is a 2021 trend that we can truly get behind.

Scrunchies and Claw Clips

Keeping your hair in check can be difficult, but fortunately today’s trends are far more forgiving and err more on the side of function over form. That means that the likes of scrunchies and claw clips are now not only acceptable, they are a must-have item - so have fun with it. For scrunchies, let out the 90s diva within you, elect to use day-glo luminous colors and claw clips in mother of pearl-esque designs. This means that not only will your hair be tamed, you’ll also be displaying your awareness of the latest fashion fads.

Retro Sunglasses

The summer was all about big rectangular sunglasses, but things in the fall have altered a little. This means that the shades you should be looking for are more retro in style and a bit more dainty. Opt for a 70s feel, consider tinted, and anything in the aviator range will work wonders with most outfits you put together. The good news with this trend is that you don’t need to spend a king’s ransom. You can pick up relatively cheap sunglasses anywhere, even in the local gas station. As long as they look cool, they’ll work.

Arm Warmers

These are not only super stylish, but when the weather starts to drop a degree or two, these will come in very handy (no pun intended). Look for arm warmers that work well with your entire outfit. Try to match these as much as possible, otherwise it may not be a look that quite comes off. These are ideal for a night out as they are very swanky and high-end. Consider monotone colors to help them really stand out.

Classic Baseball Caps 

Though this may seem a little out of left field, it’s a trend we can get behind. It’s infinitely more to our taste than those annoying bucket hats that simply wouldn’t leave us alone over the summer. You can pick up a nice cap from most fashion outlets. If you want a more distressed, retro vibe, you can always look in your local thrift store and pick up a bargain or two. One tip though: make sure the team emblazoned on the cap is for your locality. The last thing you want is to start a full scale riot in the wrong part of town.

Comfy Slide Sandals

The summer was all about quilted sandals (in fact, anything quilted works in 2021) or platform versions, but now it’s about slide sandals. This may not seem ideal for the fall, but perhaps, depending on your location, the weather is still the right side of things in order to make wearing these comfy items of footwear workable.

Keep It Light, Airy and Fun

The best thing about the fall is that it’s not yet winter, and therefore you have more options when it comes to putting together a kick ass outfitLinks to an external site.. This means the options are wide open for you to add some pop to your outfit. You’ll be surprised how a single accessory can make or break an entire look, so try things out and have fun with it.