Heading off to college for the first time can be a memorable experience. It can be a breath of fresh air after high school, where fashion trends were all the rage and you had to keep up to be accepted.

Latest fashion

Some of the most popular styles that are already showing up on college campuses are retro styles. One of the biggest fashion trends has been the geometric and psychedelic patterns of the 1970s. Checkered shirts and blouses are always a favorite and allow you to stand out in a crowd. Wearing bright and bold geometric-shaped patterns on your clothes will bring out the individual inside of you. You must be sure not to go overboard using patterns and dots in your wardrobe. For example, if you have a hot new pair of jeans be sure to wear a solid shirt, sweatshirt or the like with it so as not to actually blind anyone.

Any 1950s-style clothing, combined with your basic casual wear for today, is making a big splash on campuses everywhere. Today’s knee-length skirts are replacing yesterday’s miniskirts. Many will find it hard to say goodbye to minis and ruffled skirts as the chilly weather sets in.

Classic fashion

Many trendy fashion shops are carrying new clothing ranges, imitating original vintage styles.

If you are looking to keep a simple and fun look - basic black-and-white casual wear never goes out of fashion because it is clean and chic. Adding a touch from the late 1980s with big hoop earrings or wearing your hair back in a ponytail will put you in the spotlight.

Casual comfort wear like T-shirts and sweatshirts are always a big hit on college campuses.

Trendsetting fashion

This season, you can also try layering polos, or wear a camisole over a turtleneck. Layering is another key trick to looking stylish and staying warm. Of course, this will create extra laundry.

The 1980s are making a comeback, so expect to see more tie-dyed T-shirts and pastel-colored cashmere sweaters around. Believe it or not, olive green is the new pink - everything is showing up in green in today’s fashion for girls, from jackets and sweaters to scarves and caps.

For the feet, flip-flops always make a splash, whether they are flat or raised. Everyone on campus sports sandals in some form or other - from the casual everyday kind to the jazzed-up, rhinestone-studded variety.

Keep in mind as you are heading off to school that anything goes in college - if you are comfortable in what you are wearing many times, nobody is really going to care if you are coming to class in shorts in the middle of winter. Dress yourself is the only unchanged principle.

(Shenzhen Daily November 6, 2004)