13 Fashion Lessons I Wish Someone Had Taught Me Before College

Most college students, especially freshmen, don't need 10 pairs of heels when they head off to school. Unless you anticipate frequent formal gatherings where you'll be photographed, just rely on your oldies-but-goodies (read: comfortable, basic heels or wedges) to last you through parties, interviews, and the like.

I covered up my stomach when I was in college because I didn't have supermodel abs . . . looking back, I wish I'd just embraced by body and rocked whichever swimsuit I wanted! Stressing over body image is no way to live, especially when you're at your physical peak.

One of my jobs in college was at a used clothing store, and I thank my lucky stars that I discovered it during such formative shopping years. Rather than pack up all of their clothes and lugging them home, many students (especially fashionistas) prefer selling their goods to used clothing stores in exchange for cash.

If you can uncover your local thrift store gem, you're likely to find barely worn items at a fraction of their original price. Plus, if you're an experimental dresser like me, thrift stores will help you get your "fake glasses and cutout shoulders" fashion phase out of the way without bankrupting yourself.

This sounds like a stereotype, but it's true: nobody cares what you look like during finals week. Everyone is so focused on their own grades that they barely pay you any mind, much less what you're wearing!

From running between lectures to bar crawls, you'll have plenty of need for comfortable shoes during your university years. Luckily, sneakers are much more stylish now than they were when I was in school. Athleisure is a student's dream come true!

Everybody busts out their sweats (or leggings-as-pants) at some point during college. Avoid my mistake and invest in some stylish ones that won't pop up to haunt you in your Facebook memories.

My freshman year, I was roped in when I found a pair of "comfortable nude wedges" for under $15 through a Facebook ad . . . imagine my surprise when they arrived and towered over five inches! Definitely not the shoes I'd had in mind. Don't be fooled by false advertising and shadily affordable prices just because you're broke — that's how you end up getting burned.

The first rain of every school year is always a fun one, because so many students are ill-prepared for storms. Get yourself an umbrella, rain boots, and a decent jacket — you'll thank yourself later!