We Hit the Streets to Ask College Students About Their Style and Fashion Knowledge
American Eagle tagged along to highlight its latest collection; shop the Y2K, Workwear, Skater, and Collegiate-inspired pieces.
While back-to-school season often means a fresh wardrobe and renewed staples to carry you through the coming year, it’s also the time to experiment with new styling trends and patterns outside of one’s comfort zone – from skater boy aesthetics to the Y2K girlie.
We asked students from colleges and universities about their biggest style influences and tested their style knowledge, quizzing them about current trends and asking them to pinpoint their own style codes.
Each student’s style inspiration came from a variety of sources — including artist A$AP Rocky, the 70’s era, and various TikTok How-To or fashion content creators. The key to building a look, many expressed, is layering and pairing garments creatively.
Encouraging students to renew and redefine their back-to-school style for the season, American Eagle also returns with a new fall collection alongside their “Live Your Life” campaign. The campaign includes Coco Gauff, Trevor Lawrence, Kristine Froseth, and Nikki Rodriguez, as a way to inspire optimism and connection in the next generation.
@hypebeast We hit the streets with @American Eagle to ask college students about their personal style and test their fashion knowledge. #sponsored #liveyourlive ♬ original sound – HYPEBEAST
With classic blue jeans as a foundational element, the line includes a variety of denim pieces for the fall, from their classic designs to new fashion-forward silhouettes — leaning on the revival of cargo and baggy pants fueled by the 90s/Y2K craze. From High-Waisted Stovepipe Jeans to the Barrel and Baggy Wide-Leg Jeans and Lived-in Cargo Pants, retro fashion is both the collection’s theme and also the style of today’s college students. Check out some on-trend categories below and explore options from the latest AE collection you can add to your daily wardrobe.
Suited Up in Workwear
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For those who like to wear practical pieces that will carry them through whatever the day brings, these workwear options are buildable, reliable pieces that can mesh with any look. The AE Stretch Canvas Long-Sleeve Button-Up Shirt or the Stretch Chambray Long-Sleeve Button Up are versatile layers that can be paired with the AE 24/7 Cargo Jogger. The AE Twill Trucker Hat and Doc Martens 1460 Smooth Boot add some extra flair to a utilitarian look.
Skater Style
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Skater-inspired fashion takes on a laidback approach, with that extra element of effortless cool. Starting with the AE Airflex Original Bootcut Jeans and 6” Classic Boxer Briefs as a canvas to build up from, the look is given a pop of color with the addition of the Pride Graphic T-shirt. An embroidered Baseball Hat and Reebok BB 4000 II Mid Sneakers finish off the ensemble.
Collegiate Prep
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The collegiate prep aesthetic is a timeless style category characterized by pleated skirts, such as the AE Pleated It Knit Skort, plaid prints, and dynamic elements that can be layered together. Students can pair the Cropped Perfect Button-Up Shirt with the AE Cropped Blazer to achieve that polished, preppy look. Accessories really elevate collegiate prep outfits, so this look can be taken to new heights with Sheer Tights, BC Footwear Mary Janes, and AEO Black Oval Sunglasses.
Y2K Girly
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Reviving the playful and colorful outfits of the early 2000s, the next generation has really embraced Y2K style and put their own up-to-date spin on it. To achieve a Y2K-inspired fit, Baggy Ultra-Wide Leg Jeans are a necessity. The AE Collared Button-Up T-Shirt pairs well with the denim, for that relaxed, stylish vibe. Adding on the Crescent Crossbody Bag, Steve Madden Slinky30 Sandals, and the San Diego Hat Company’s Corduroy Bucket Hat complete the throwback look.
The pieces within the collection are designed to be mixed and matched, making it possible to live your life comfortably and expressively in American Eagle. Shop American Eagle’s fall collection in stores and online at AE.com.
