Each college within Syracuse has its own style. From down-to-business Whitman kids to free-spirited VPA students, we all have our major-specific must-haves. Check out the wardrobe essentials for your college, or mix and match between the different schools to create your own fashion-forward look.

The Whitman Blazer: You can spot Whitman School of Management students a mile away—they’re the ones walking across the quad in full business attire at 9 a.m. They’ve got a class presentation, and they’re always looking sharp, especially on Whitman Wednesdays when looking put-together gets freshmen bonus points in their houses. It’s a good thing a classic blazer never goes out of style.

The School of Education Backpack: Every future teacher needs a tried-and-true way to lug around heavy textbooks and piles of lesson plans. For students in the School of Education, a backpack is a necessity. To avoid blending in with the elementary school crowd, get a simple yet stylish bag like Herschel’s black suede and leather Heritage Backpack.

The Falk Fitbit: The Fitbit has transformed from a purely fitness-focused exercise band to a stylish accessory with the introduction of Tory Burch for Fitbit—a best-of-both-worlds collaboration that disguises the Fitbit with a luxe metal bracelet covering.  It is perfect for athletic kids in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics who are always on the run but still want to look stylish. And if Tory Burch isn’t your thing, there are tons of other Fitbit covers available on Etsy.

The Engineering and Computer Science Laptop Sleeve: What better accessory than a laptop sleeve for students who are essentially majoring in the science of their devices? A good case turns a boring MacBook into an opportunity to show off your personality. Try a minimalistic neoprene sleeve from Urban Outfitters or something a little funkier like a Marc by Marc Jacobs leopard print case.

The iSchool Tech Watch: Students in the School of Information Studies are all about the latest technology. The Apple Watch is a perfect fit for techies and future web developers. Plus, the innovative gadget comes in a variety of bands to suit everyone’s style. Not a fan of Apple? Android has a slew of watches with customizable faces, bands and shapes.

The Arts and Sciences Scarf: Studying French? A wispy silk scarf has that Parisian je ne sais quoi. Studying biology? In the spirit of the study of life, try a bright green scarf. Undeclared for now? You’ll probably have classes all over campus, so grab a warm scarf to get you through the snowy days. Just like the College of Arts and Sciences allows students to take courses in nearly every subject imaginable, a versatile scarf can be made to fit any occasion.

The School of Architecture Slippers: Everyone at Syracuse knows that architecture students get almost no sleep. As if their program being five years long wasn’t enough, they also stay up in the studio way past normal class hours. For architecture girls and boys, cozy slippers are a must-have for late nights and tired feet.

The VPA Statement Hat: Students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts are talented and creative. A bold topper, like a floppy felt hat for ladies or the unique Topman satin bucket hat for daring guys, is a great touch for these kids who aren’t afraid to stand out or make a statement.

The Newhouse Headphones: Students in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications are constantly running around campus conducting interviews and filming for their various journalism and communications projects. If you’re a Newhouse kid, it’s smart to invest in a quality pair of headphones — whether you’re making a video for COM 117 or transcribing an interview for NEW 205, you’ll use them a lot. For a glam look, try the Frends with Benefits Taylor headphones. Into something a little quirkier? Check out Donald Robertson Edition Urbanears.

The ESF Reusable Tote: The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students don’t technically go to Syracuse, but you’re sure to see them around campus. Often spotted wearing tie-dye, ESF kids are carefree and eco-friendly. Channel your inner ESF by ditching plastic throwaway bags and choosing a cool reusable tote instead.

Jackie Homan is a sophomore magazine journalism major. You can email her at jahoman@syr.edu or follow her @jackie_homan on Twitter.

Published on August 25, 2015 at 9:25 pm