I’ve always loved fashion, but for a while, I felt like I needed to buy something new for every occasion. With college, work, and everything else, it started to feel impossible to keep up with how many new outfits I wanted. I realized that a lot of people in college probably feel the same way. As our generation is constantly surrounded by social media, we see so many new trends and think we have to buy something new to look “stylish.” This adds extra pressure towards women. Women are often expected to look put together while men don’t really face this pressure as much. Social media also creates unrealistic standards that make girls feel pressured to always have a new outfit for every event which can make fashion feel more stressful than fun. I want to show that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to look good or feel confident. It’s more about finding your own style and learning how to make the most of what you already have. 

What Does a “College Budget” Really Mean? 

We all know college isn’t cheap. Trying to budget while still staying “fashionable” can be tough, especially since many of us don’t always have time for a job but still want to buy a few wants, not just the things we need. Between tuition, books, housing, and food, it all adds up. Maybe you just want to grab a coffee or treat yourself once in a while, but then you realize your wallet is empty.  

To get a sense of what a college budget might look like, the College Board’s 2024 report on Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid found that, the average full-time undergraduate student at a public four year, in-state institution contains a budget of about $29,910 for the 2024 to 2025 school year. This budget includes tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and many other expenses. As the article mentions, tuition for a public four year in-state college is around $11,610, the remainder $18,300 still needs to cover housing, food, books, and any other expenses the student wants to spend on, like fashion or social outings.  

With this information, a college budget basically means learning how to manage limited money while balancing all those expenses and still finding ways to enjoy the things you love. Staying fashionable doesn’t have to be another stress on top of that. Fashion is defined differently for everyone and it’s not about how much you spend but how you style what you have and make it work for you.  

Why Does Fashion Matter in College? 

Fashion in college is more than just picking out clothes but it really is a way to show who you are. The way you dress can express your personality and your confidence. Jonida Hasani, a student at North Central who enjoys keeping up with fashion trends says,” I think fashion really shows who you are. Everyone has their own style, and that’s what makes it fun, it’s what makes you unique.” This shows that fashion is really about expressing yourself, not just following trends. 

Whether you are going to class, going to an internship, or literally just hanging out with friends, what you wear can help you feel more confident. For me, if I don’t like what I’m wearing, I’ll be in the worst mood ever. When I don’t feel confident in my outfit, I honestly feel off the whole day like, I can’t fully be myself.  

There’s even research behind this known as “enclothed cognition” that refers to the systematic influence that clothes have on the individual’s psychological processes. Basically, it suggests that we wear can change how we think and act. It’s not just about the clothes but about the mindset they help us step into. Research also found that participants felt that their clothing choices affected their mood, confidence, and behavior with things like color, style, and fit making a big difference. 

First impressions are a big deal too whether it’s meeting someone in class, going to an interview, or even walking across campus. But fashion doesn’t mean following every trend; it’s more about finding your own style and wearing what makes you feel like yourself. Rachel May, owner and founder of Boutique Poppy, a fashion business she started in 2021 says, “I would define great style as someone who is confident in their clothes… someone that is actually fashionable is someone who's very confident in what they wear.” Her point reminds us that confidence is the key to looking stylish.

How Can I Stay Fashionable Without Spending a Lot? 

Staying fashionable in college doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money, you just have to get creative with what you already have or looking for budget friendly stores. Thrifting is honestly one of the easiest ways to save money and you can find the most unique pieces for way less. It’s way more fun than regular shopping too because you never know what you’re going to find. Lately, thrifting has been a big trend. People on TikTok are showing off their thrifted clothing. Our generation is big on thrifting as well as using secondhand styles. This shows that you can look stylish without spending much. Apps like Depop or Poshmark are also a good way for finding secondhand clothes that still look brand new, and stores like Plato’s Closet or Goodwill can also have some good pieces if you take the time to look. Even borrowing clothes from friends can help with internship outfits or pieces you wouldn’t wear often. According to Capital One Shopping Research, “As of 2025, the U.S. secondhand market is worth an estimated $56 billion, up 14.3% from 2024.” They also stated, “By 2032, the secondhand market is expected to reach $90 billion, with $57 billion or 63% attributed to resale.”  These statistics show that secondhand shopping is not only popular but also practical.

Aside from secondhand shopping, let’s say you want to refresh your wardrobe without actually buying anything new, DIY styling is also a good way to limit spending. You can cut an old shirt into a crop top or layer a basic tee with a cute jacket, or even just add accessories to give you a new style. Or you can mix your basics with a statement piece to completely change your look.  

Planning your outfits ahead of time also helps a lot because it keeps you from impulse shopping and lets you see what you really need. Building a small wardrobe with basic pieces makes it way easier to put together outfits for class, hanging out or other professional events without stressing over what to wear.