Back to school doesn’t just mean it’s time for new classes, textbooks and schedules; it’s also time for new trends, clothes and styles. While comfort for school is key, dressing to impress can also be essential for success — looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand. New to the Sheaf this year is Campus Fashion, featuring University of Saskatchewan students who are keen on fashion and dressing their best. With each new season of the year comes new styles and the Sheaf will be keeping up with student trends as they change. So watch out U of S and stay sharp, because you never know when you’ll be spotted!

Whitney Klassen

Arts and Science, fine art, third year. Age: 20

What are you wearing?

I am wearing a dress from Winners, a hat from Tonic and jewellery from everywhere. The purse is from Lake Life in Waskesiu.

What are you most excited to wear this fall?

Jeans. I’m excited for my ripped denim and I love high-waisted jeans. I really like Levi’s. I prefer to dress comfy, even if I’m dressed up.

What are the top things you need to have for back-to-school fashion?

A really cute backpack; mine is Hershel. And I need comfy pants — Harem pants that are kind of like sweats but aren’t sweats.

What is your favorite place to shop?

Winners and anywhere where there are good sales. I like more expensive pieces when they’re on sale. When it comes to sales, try stuff on, even you don’t think you will like it — try it on.

Archer Bell

Arts and Science, second year. Age: 19

Tell me about your outfit.

The jeans are actually knock-off Levi jeans that I got in an underground market in China. The hat is from American Apparel and I like to add it to any outfit that I think looks too put together and it instantly brings it back down.The shoes I ordered online from Urban Outfitters and I love them so much. I wear them a lot and they’re really nice to pair with ripped jeans because it’s kind of unexpected.

What are the top things you need to have for back-to-school fashion?

My top three things to have for school fashion are a pair of comfy pants that don’t look comfy — that’s why I love the sportswear trend ‘cause I can wear track pants and sport pants without looking like a slob. So I think that’s a must for back-to-school and you can just kick them on when you go to the library. I also need a pair of comfy shoes — my Converse are my go-to shoes during the school year. And then having a snapback or a hat because some days you have those 8:30 a.m. classes and if you roll out of bed and you just toss on a hat, it’s okay.

Where do you draw inspiration for your wardrobe and style?

I am a YouTube addict; I follow a ton of fashion YouTubers and I love watching videos and seeing what they’re loving and then I draw inspiration from that. Most of them are actually female YouTubers too but I feel like a lot of the trends you can translate into menswear. I just love seeing what other people are wearing in different parts of the world.

Why is dressing well important to you?

Dressing well is important to me for a few different reasons, but mainly it’s just something that I love doing so it makes me feel good, above anything else. I feel better about myself when I’m in a good outfit. I also think it’s important because that’s other peoples’ first impression of you — what you’re wearing, how you look. So when you present yourself fashionably someone’s first impression of you or first judgement of you is seeing how you dress. And if you dress well, then their first impression is going to be good.

Malusi Mabaleka

Arts and Science, communications, fourth year. Age: 25

What are you most excited to wear this fall?

I’m excited to step up my overall style and dive into men’s fall fashion. I want to wear nicer pea coats, fall jackets, khakis and wool sweaters that are warm and comfy, but cool and casual.

What are the top things you need to have for back-to-school fashion?

You need good sweaters — there’s the classic university style sweater with elbow pads. You have to have a key jacket, something professional, a nice pea coat that’s not too thick but keeps you warm. I’m thinking a brown or gray and charcoal is my favorite color — all good fall colours. You also want something classy on your feet even though it’s cool in the winter. I’ve generally been wearing a nice suede dress boot. I bought these dress boots that are suede, but I wear them out so they get less dressy and more rugged. It gives a more worn-out style to them.

What is your favorite place to shop?

My favorite stores are H&M and The Gap. I’ve actually been at The Gap the past three days and they’ve really stepped it up in their clothing department.

Why is dressing well important to you?

To me, the culture of being a gentleman is something you don’t see too much anymore and something I’ve always inspired to be — just an all-around respectful and chivalrous person who is always looking well. There are trends and fads that come and go, but looking good traditionally is always going to be there. It doesn’t mean you have to have the most expensive things, but if you carry yourself in a certain manner, people are going to notice and respect that.

Amara Haywood

Edwards School of Business, human resources, third year. Age: 20

What are you most excited to wear this fall?

My dark lipstick; I am done with the pinks of summer. I really love a vampy red lip and purples for fall, those are my favorites. I also like layering because lots of fall outfits are based on layers and you can’t really do that in the summer, but fall is the perfect temperature.

What is one of the summer trends you are sad to leave behind?

I feel like a big trend this summer was monochromatic and white, but winter white is going to be a big thing again. So I’m not sad to leave it behind because I see it transitioning into fall and winter. But boho fashion is always nice in the summer, whereas winter is more soft grunge.

What is your favorite place to shop?

Probably online because I can find things that haven’t hit the market yet. Ebay is really good for finding super cheap stuff online as well. I also really love some local stores like White Dhalia and Dutch Growers.

Where do you draw inspiration for your wardrobe and style?

I draw inspiration from all over but I feel like music is a big one for me. Depending on the mood I’m in — like if I’m listening to soft and mellow music then I’m more into chiffon fabrics. More rock ‘n’ roll music means I’m more into leather and street style. As well as looking at celebrity street style and bloggers.

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Naomi Zurevinski / Opinions Editor

Photos: Katherine Fedoroff/Photo Editor