By Tyler Martin
With the endless flow of fashion content on TikTok and Instagram, most of us have go-to influencers that we rely on for inventive styling ideas, hot, new brands, or outfit inspiration. Whether we’re dressing for class or Boulevarding, our feeds serve up influencers who feel relatable and current – like they’re our fashion friends. Long before these influencers came around, however, fashion designers were the original tastemakers, and the advice they provided helped to shape fashion and visual culture. As a fashion media student, I am learning more about the influence these designers wielded, and it made me want to revisit a few iconic pieces of their advice to see whether it would still hold up today, and if it’s in any way applicable to our college lives.
“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” – Coco Chanel
Chanel changed fashion by introducing simple and incredibly wearable pieces like the tweed suit and LBD.
Chanel’s rule sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly relevant for college students who are constantly getting ready for social outings. Whether you’re dressing for a Boulevard, a formal, or just a night out, it’s easy to pile on accessories without realizing you might be distracting from the outfit itself. Let’s say you’re wearing a high-neck dress to a formal. Maybe skip the necklace to let the silhouette shine. If you’re heading to class in a printed top, maybe let it speak for itself instead of piling on tons of chunky jewelry. Chanel’s advice is not about being boring, it’s about editing your outfits with intention so the best parts of your look get the attention they really deserve.
“Fashion is like eating, you shouldn’t stick to the same menu.” – Kenzo Takada
Kenzo made his mark in the fashion world by his mixing of Japanese prints with a Parisian edge, bringing boldness and color into high fashion.
College is the easiest time to slip into an outfit rut. Wearing the same jeans, same sweatshirt, same leggings-and-sneakers uniform three days in a row is something we have all been guilty of. Kenzo’s reminder to change up our “menu” pushes us to actually wear the looks we claim we love. When it’s fall and winter (aka layering season) this becomes so easy because layering immediately changes the tone of an outfit. Throwing a colored long sleeve top under a crewneck, adding a bomber jacket over a basic tee, or mixing textures like leather and knitwear can instantly elevate even your most basic of staples. These changes make your go-to uniform feel brand new without having to buy anything new. Our lives change constantly in college, and our wardrobes should be changing and evolving with us.
“Shoes transform your body language and attitude. They lift you physically and emotionally.” – Christian Louboutin
Louboutin’s signature red sole became one of the most recognizable symbols in fashion from just this simple detail.
Like Carrie Bradshaw, I fully believe shoes are emotional – in addition to their ability to make or break an outfit. Even the simplest looks we throw on for class or a night out can instantly change with the right pair of shoes. A t-shirt and jeans feel elevated with a ballet flat instead of a sneaker. A LBD becomes way more interesting with a colorful heel. Even denim-on-denim feels fresher with a fun sneaker. This is where the “wrong shoe theory,” coined by stylist Allison Bornstein (who I actually interviewed last year), becomes a game changer. Choosing the unexpected shoe (the one that feels slightly off or surprising) adds personality and makes your outfit feel more thoughtful. Louboutin was right: shoes don’t just lift up your look, they lift up your spirit.
“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” – Edith Head
Head helped define classic Hollywood style through her costume design for iconic films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, showing how characters tell stories through clothing.
College seniors might find that this quote hits especially close to home during this busy time when interviews, networking events, and presentations start taking over our daily life. Dressing a little more polished can instantly help boost your confidence and set the tone for how others perceive you. Putting in a little extra care into your outfit for a career networking event or class presentation can make a serious difference. One easy thing I like to do is take the time to plan ahead. Grab a few things that you really want to wear and style them in a fresh way. For example, taking your favorite blazer and purposefully styling it three different ways. And if you aren’t feeling creative, it could be as simple as reminding yourself to wear that black blazer with white or black bottoms. Don’t forget to take pictures of your new outfit creations so you can reference them for later. Edith Head understood that clothing communicates what you want before you speak a word, and I do my best to live by that.
“Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them.” – Marc Jacobs
Jacobs modernized Louis Vuitton with his role as creative director, before launching his namesake brand.
On a campus where Revolve packages show up in the mailroom daily, Jacobs’ reminder feels especially important. Great style isn’t created by constantly buying more, it’s created by wearing what you own in intentional, personal ways. Rewearing your favorite pieces, experimenting with new combinations, shopping vintage, or collecting items from travel can give your wardrobe meaning beyond trends. The most stylish people aren’t the ones wearing the newest clothes. It’s the people wearing theirs with purpose.
Fashion advice will continue to change, but the heart of it stays the same: style is incredibly personal. Whether you follow these designer lessons closely or simply use them as jumping off points, all of them offer a way to make getting dressed more routine, more expressive and more fun. And as college students where we are shaping our personal identity in real time, this feels more relevant than ever.
