College-Style

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Decorating Your Dorm: Closet Posted: 19 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT By: Lindsey, CS editor. Follow me @lindzcook13. Editor’s note: This is the fifth post in a series about decorating your dorm room in specific spaces. Read the introduction here, the bedroom post here, the office post here, the living room post here, and be on the lookout for posts about the kitchen and bathroom. Your closet, while definitely not the space you’ll be spending the most time in, is the space that will need to be organized most effectively. For most fashionable college guys and gals, the closet in your dorm room will be A LOT smaller than the closet in your bedroom. If you want to fit your clothes, shoes and accessories in your dorm room, it’s essential that you organize the closet perfectly. After all, ever inch of space you waste is room for another shirt. My closet at home My closet at home is a masterpiece. My “closet” at college consisted of a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and one rack, all of which I shared with my roommate. Unfortunately, this amount of space is pretty standard for college dorms so be prepared. Hopefully, with some tips, you’ll be able to bring as many shoes, scarfs, necklaces, shirts and pairs of jeans as your little heart desires. My closet at UGA (that I shared with my roomie) Most colleges provide you with a wardrobe to house your clothes. While this is definitely better than nothing, it’s not exactly the best accessory. See this post for step-by-step instructions on how to turn your dorm wardrobe into a work of art using posters. Also, using your clothes as decor is a great option. Stay tuned for a future post on that trend. Doesn’t this look better? What You’ll Need: Clothes: Obviously, you need clothes. It’s easiest to bring your clothes already on hangers so you don’t have to pack them and then unpack them. Usually, there will be some sort of luggage cart to carry items, although you may have to wait a while depending on how many people are moving in the same day as you are. Take as few and as many clothing items as you need. Go through your whole closet the week before move-in day to determine which clothes to bring. If you haven’t worn something all season, leave it at home. If you miss it, you can get it next time. Don’t forget to bring one business casual outfit and one nicer outfit for any unexpected events such as an interview or formal party. Bring clothes for a variety of weather as seasons can change more rapidly than expected. Robe: This is very important if you have a bathroom down the hall. You’ll want a robe to slip on (a cute one) if you are leaving your room in your PJs. You never know who could be in the hallway. Rain gear: It will rain when you are walking to class and you will get wet unless you bring rain gear. You’ll need an umbrella, rain boots and a rain jacket. Keep your umbrella in your backpack and check the weather before heading out to class. Photo Credit: Carrie Bradshaw’s closet (jealous), Robe from Victoria’s Secret, Cute kid in the rain Storage crates: Great for packing and for storing random things in your room. Get some that can fold up so if you don’t want to use them at the time, you don’t have to. Bring extras on move-in day to stick in all empty spaces. Great for on top of wardrobes. I used these. Under the bed storage crates: If your bed is lofted, you can still use these under your futon. Great for storing out of season clothes or items you don’t wear as often such as heels. Laundry bag: Use a laundry bag to tote your dirty clothes to and from the laundry room. Use a bag instead of a hamper because it won’t take up floor space. You can hang it on the post of your bed. You also need detergent, dryer sheets and a delicates bag. If you don’t know how to do laundry, learn from your mother before you go. Don’t be one of those helpless people staring at the washing machine the first month of college. Bring a Tide-to-go pen for quick touch-ups. Items: ruffle laundry bag, green laundry bag, Paris boxes, under bed storage, wooden crates, wooden trays Hangers: Bring your clothes on hangers. Don’t use the plastic ones. They take up too much space. Sweater organizer: Use in your closet or wardrobe for towels, blankets and clothes. 3M hooks: Bring way more than you think you will need. When you are done hanging wall decor, add hooks in empty spaces to use for purses, hats and jackets. Check online for coupons before you buy as these can get expensive. Shoes: Be picky about which shoes you bring. Most of your collection probably won’t be practical for the amount of walking you’ll be doing. Don’t bring two pairs of shoes that perform the same function, especially with boots because they take up so much space. Posters and Drapes: Whether you have a wardrobe or closet, hide the dorm furniture behind cute posters or drapes. If you closet comes with a curtain, remove and save the stock one and add your own. Items: Duello, teacups, bag, PINK duffle, Febreze Jewelry displays: Buy a jewelry box or another storage item to hold your jewelry. You can also use a bulletin board and tacks to display necklaces. If you have a wardrobe, attach cork board to the inside door for your necklaces, belts and scarfs. Cleaning supplies: Sadly, you will have to clean. Remember to bring a vacuum if you have carpets and a Swiffer if you have tile. Bring rags for dusting and Febreze for pillows, chairs and the futon. Iron: Depending on how cleanly pressed you like to look, you may need an iron and ironing board. Folding drying rack: Letting your clothes dry naturrally is better for the environment and for your clothes. Bring a drying rack to set in your room on laundry day. Bags: You’ll need a bag for spending the night out or for going home on the weekends. You’ll also need a smaller bag for the gym or pool. Thoughts: What’s your take on closet decorating? Are there any strategies you use for organizing your closet? Send pictures to our info@college-style.com email and we could feature you on the site! As always, tweet us at @collegestyle12 with any questions or ideas.

Street Style of the Miami Airport Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:48 AM PDT Lindsey, CS editor. Follow me @collegestyle12. Because you’re tired of reading and I’m tired of writing, today we’re going to look at the street style of the fabulous and fashionable chicas of the Miami Airport. Why? Because I have a four hour layover and couldn’t help but snap a few pictures. The ladies came with fashion magazines in tow, time to waste and stylish outfits that separated them from the flood of dirty sweatpants, baggy t-shirts and disheveled pony-tails. Next time you’re traveling, take a page from the book of these hip ladies in waiting and leave your sweatpants at home! Outfit One: Casual Style with Straw Fedora Outfit Two: Jeans and a Tee with a Twist Outfit Three: Oversized Chic with Leopard Scarf Outfit Four: Urban Grunge with Distressed Boots Outfit Five: Wide Leg Jeans with Crop Top Outfit Six: Modern Minimalism with Jeans and White T What I Wore to the Airport This is what I wore today to the Atlanta airport: combat boots, a maxi skirt from Free People, a blue t-shirt, a scarf, a Free People sweater and various bracelets. Thoughts? Which outfit did you like the best? Will you be wearing something similar on your next trip? What’s your take on do or don’t for sweatpants in the airport? Leave a comment below or tweet us! Next post will be from Ecuador! Have a happy day, chicas!

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