College-Style

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Raiding Your Parents’ Wardrobes Posted: 11 Jun 2011 08:45 AM PDT By: Lori, of University of Georgia. Sometimes, realizing that your parents are, or used to be, stylish is difficult. But after rifling through old photographs and Polaroids of my parents from back in the day, I had to face just how trendy my parents used to be and also, how classic fashion never changes. Even today in 2011 (the decade of originality) most fashionistas and designers sport pieces that are blatant mimics of older decades. This cycle of fashion —continually borrowing from older styles and rejuvenating dated trends — is one of my favorite aspects of fashion. (Pictured above: Me wearing mother's 70s top, father's "Hardy" fishing bag — accessorized with my mother's 60s printed silk scarf — my own camisole and shorts.) I love raiding my parents’ closets, finding their old gems and integrating them in my own outfits because guess what? Often the best source of authentic vintage style can come from your parents. By paying attention to what's in fashion now and staying away from those styles that should clearly remain in the closet permanently (a.k.a. shoulder pads), you can revamp your wardrobe with “new” clothes from your parents’ closets— hey, they’re new to you (and free). (Pictured above: Wearing my father's 70s leather jacket, my brother's leather belt, and my own maxi dress and scarf.) From Your Mother’s Closet… 70s fashion, such as wide-leg pants, peasant tops, psychedelic prints and wooden-heeled wedges, is returning with a vengeance. If your mother was a daughter of that decade, ask if you can borrow clothes she kept. Other timeless pieces, like a fantastically cut dress or a beautiful heirloom, will always look good — no matter when they are worn. (Pictured above: Wearing my father's 60s cotton cycling shirt, my mother's 70s leather bag, and my own cuffed shorts.) From Your Father’s Closet… Borrowing from fathers requires more creativity. Fashion-wise fathers are great sources for oversized sweaters, shirts and jackets. To add unique masculine pieces to my closet, I look through my dad's old tennis shirts and his fishing gear, but if your father is not really the outdoorsy or athletic type, you can still go the surefire route of wearing your dad's ties. From Your Little Brother’s Closet… Since I have a small waist and can never find good, inexpensive belts, I search through my brother's closet for old leather belts. Belts made for boys fit more easily around my waist than most womens’ belts. They can also add a masculine touch to a feminine ensemble and are often hardier than the thin or elasticized belts that are frequently sold as cinchers for women.

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