With a campus that has over 24,000 undergraduates, it is no surprise that the fashion worn on campus is as diverse as the students themselves. In each class, it seems there's always someone who consistently looks put together, emanating a vibe of nonchalant, trendy perfection.
With an enviable collection of clothing and an effortless, cool sense of style, third-year retail management student Carly Broome is the epitome of a campus style icon.
Broome, a blogger for the popular website College Fashionista, cited her interest in fashion and styling as something that emerged at a young age. Broome currently contributes only to College Fashionista, though she intends to start her own personal style blog when she is abroad in London next semester.
“I just always loved to wear dresses and shop and stuff," Broome said. "Then, as I got older, I always said I wanted to be a fashion designer. I started watching Project Runway and with that I just became really into styling, and my interest in that kept growing."
A native of Cocoa Beach, Florida, Broome describes her own style as “hipster grunge.”
“My style changes a lot — it’s kind of like a hodgepodge of whatever I’m feeling that day," Broome said. "I’m really into the edgy look, especially chokers and leather. I’m also really into the dark and nude colors, like the army green and deep reds lately for the fall. Last year I coined it 'hipster grunge.'"
In between juggling classes and her sorority, Chi Omega, Broome finds the time to keep up with the latest fashion trends.
“I mostly just follow Instagram people I find in the popular pages and become obsessed with," Broome said. “The one Instagram account I really love is 'The Native Fox' — She [is] so cool. Jennifer Grace is her name — she has a really awesome Instagram so I follow her for inspiration, and then accounts like Free People and Urban Outfitters, and some other famous stylists."
Utilizing the Instagram “The Native Fox,” and the inspiring looks of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, Broome touched on the trends shown on runways, social media and even around campus for this fall season.
“For this fall it’s definitely all about textures. Fur, suede and fringe are really in,” Broome said. “And then in terms of color, for fall it's the dark neutrals like army green, and deep reds, grays and browns."
Apart from identifying the latest trends, Broome also discussed her own personal appreciation for dressing fashionably for fall.
“I think I like layering in the fall the most, and the boots," Broome said. "It’s just fun to bring out more clothes because you can just keep piling on clothes and accessories in the fall and you can't do that in the summer."
Though fall fashion allows for layering and diversity, Broome has some essentials she believes all self-proclaimed fashionistas should have in their wardrobes.
“Definitely a leather jacket and probably booties," Broome said. “I personally have suede ones that I wear the most, and I’ve been down with the Dr. Martens lately.”
For style tips and updates on seasonal trends, follow Broome on Instagram @CarlyBroome or on College Fashionista under the University of South Carolina page.