Top Back to School Fashion Trends for the College Crew

By Suzanne Singer
August 23, 2011

With back to school season in full swing, we can't help but wonder what members of Generation Z (that's anyone born from the 1990s through the early 2000s) are begging their parents for this fall. Earlier this week, we looked at the teen set, an increasingly sophisticated group, fashion-wise, that turns to celebrities and peers for fashion inspiration. Today, we consider their older sisters—college-age kids, whose style choices are made in the context of great freedom (from parents and responsibilities) and enormous access to information (after all this is a group who can't remember life without the World Wide Web). That means today's 18-22-year-olds have the opportunity to be experimental, boundary-pushing and yes, casual in their fashion choices, along with the knowlege (from blogs, celebrities, magazines and even runways) of what is happening in the wider world.

We took to the streets near New York University (a style savvy population), checked out "New Arrivals" at popular retailers like Urban Outfitters, perused buzzy stores like Opening Ceremony, kept our eyes on the fashion runways, and read through teen magazines like Seventeen and Teen Vogue, as well as young women's glossies like Cosmo and Glamour to come up with the following 13 fashion trends. Here's what you can expect to see on campus come September.

Cropped & Striped Tops

Cropped tops (3.1 Philip Lim, photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images) and stripes (DKNY, photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images) are big with college kids for fall.

Cropped Tops

Thrown on top of a longer tank, the boxy cropped top loses its ‘80s vibe when paired with another extreme shape. Try wide leg bottoms or the perfect skinny jean. And if you feel uncomfortable with a bare midriff, layer a long, fitted tank underneath.

Roll over items for details

Elizabeth & James Over-Dyed Cropped Tees

(buy it now price, $34.75)

New Cut Back Cropped Tee

(buy it now price, $29)

Top Back to School Fashion Trends for the College Crew

Striped Tops

Classic French-girl on the one hand, punk on the other, striped shirts are a classic and wearable fashion choice to mix and match with what you already own on your closet. They've been big for the past few seasons, and continue to be important this fall.

New DKNY Striped Top

(buy it now price, $36.55)

New Slub Striped Henley

(buy it now price, $39.99)

Native American Printed Knits

As we've said before, Native American and Western-inspired styles are major for fall. For the college set, the fashion trend will emerge through sweaters, bringing a bold-colored tribal vibe in cold weather when they need it most.

New Rustic Navajo Indian Sweater

(buy it now price, $219.99)

New Lucky Brand Navajo Wrap Cardigan Sweater

(buy it now price, $129.95)

Vests

Vests are an instant pick-me-up for an outfit you love, but have worn too many times.

New Long Vest

(buy it now price, $27.13)

New Denim Vest

(buy it now price, $14.98)

Trench Coat & Plaid Button-Down

Other popular fashion trends include trench coats (Blumarine, photo by Daniele Schiavello/Catwalking/Getty Images) and plaid (Thakoon, photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images).

Trench Coat

No one can resist the allure of the classic trench coat. It has the power to make even the most casual and sloppy look instantly chic. Plus, it will come in handy for interviews for summer internships.

New Burberry Brit Double Breasted Trench Coat

(buy it now price, $675)

New Ann Taylor Loft Trench Coat

(buy it now price, $59.50)

Plaid Button-Downs

With a traditionally masculine edge, the plaid button-down is cozy for study hall or can be a fun (and unexpected) pairing for a dress or skirt.

Hollister Flannel Plaid Button-Down

(buy it now price, $44.99)

New True Religion Flannel Plaid Western Shirt

(buy it now price, $99.99)

Cropped Blazers

Not only do cropped blazers offer an answer to fall's crisp weather, but when paired with long tops and skinny jeans, they makes for an interesting fashion experiment in layering.

New Military Cropped Blazer

(buy it now price, $19.99)

Yigal Azrouel Tan Suede Cropped Blazer

(buy it now price, $89)

Grunge-Style Floral Dress

Think Courtney Love back in her Hole days (not that the college set will remember!) but instead of baby tees and combat boots, pair this dress style with oxfords or an ankle bootie.

Vintage Floral Grunge Baby Doll Mini Dress

(buy it now price, $39)

Vintage Sheer Gauze Floral Grunge Mini Dress

(buy it now price, $67)

Dressy Shorts & Maxi Skirts

The 18-22 year-old-crew is also loving dressy shorts (3.1 Philip Lim, photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images) and grunge-style floral dresses (Missoni, photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images).

Dressy Shorts

Shorts in dressy fabrics are great to wear with contrasting tops. Pair leathers and suedes with lightweight blouses and silks with cottons in simple shapes.

New Juicy Couture Perforated Leather Shorts

(buy it now price, $84.99)

Anthropologie Silk Floral Shorts

(buy it now price, $38.50)

Maxi Skirt

Certainly a look straight from the ‘70s but the maxi skirt in 2011 is less boho and more sleek. It emerged as a fashion trend for spring and will continue into the fall.

New Chiffon Pleated Maxi Skirt

(buy it now price, $26.09)

New Jersey Maxi Skirt

(buy it now price, $13.09)

Leather Leggings

First jeggings, now leather leggings. These come in punk rock leather, real or faux.

Topshop Faux Leather Leggings

(buy it now price, $88.74)

New Vince Stretch Leather Legging

(buy it now price, $349.99)

Flare Jeans

Though we all still love the skinny jean, the ‘70s flared bottom denim style is a much-welcomed, reissued edition to include to our fashion repertoire. If you didn't buy a pair for spring, there is still time.