Cutting out the crewneck: Fall fashion alternatives

As the weather begins to cool down, many students begin to ditch their summer wardrobe for more fall-appropriate clothing. One item that becomes popular during the fall season on UCLA’s campus is the basic crewneck sweatshirt – whether it’s plain or UCLA embroidered, most students on campus have one in their closet. While it seems to be a closet staple for the majority of us, the fall season welcomes a wide variety of other clothing options. From anoraks to cardigans, here are some of the season’s most stylish and functional pieces of alternative outerwear.

Anoraks

Waterproof, hooded and equipped with drawstrings, anoraks – sometimes referred to as parkas – are easily a must-have not only for this season, but also for the year. Originating from earlier, colder times, anoraks were made to insulate in harsher temperatures with fur linings. Today, anoraks are designed to keep the general aesthetic of a traditional anorak with classic drawstrings, but are updated each season to stay on trend.

This season welcomes anoraks with drapey labels, additional pocket placements, fur stoles, embroidered detailing and hardware accents, ranging from gold to silver zippers and buttons. Similar to windbreakers, anoraks are also ideal for intense winds, as they are often lightweight and made of a silky material.

Smooth on the skin, anoraks generally also have an oversized fit, increasing their comfort level. Women can find anoraks as affordable as $59 at online e-tailers like Nasty Gal, whereas both men and women can find anoraks at Urban Outfitters starting from $99.

Flannels

Flannels are no longer just for lumberjacks. Because flannels were originally made from worsted yarn or carded wool, the plaid-patterned button-up was known to maintain a sufficient amount of heat for lumberjacks during the working months of winter. However, these days flannel shirts do not refer to the material but rather the print of the actual shirt – it is used to refer to the plaid or tartan pattern of the shirt, flannels made a comeback in fashion most predominantly in the 1990s during the grunge music era.

Since then, flannels have become well-worn by both sexes due to the gender-neutral versatility of the tartan print. Because both the fabric and print have been around for decades, it’s also easy to search for flannels at the local thrift store. Depending on the thrift shop, flannels can be found for the price of 99 cents to, at most, $20. Popular retailers like H&M;, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and more also have been known to carry the casual piece.

Cardigan

While most outerwear provides the same level of comfort, cardigans stand out from the crowd by far. A hybrid between a sweater (by material) and a jacket (by design), the cardigan is one-up from the basic crewneck.

Because it is such a basic piece of outerwear, there are many variations of the cardigan. From cropped to knee-length, shaggy to cotton and printed to plain, there’s essentially a cardigan for anyone (Urkel of “Family Matters” was proof of that). Similar to flannels, because cardigans have been around for so long, they too are largely accessible to college students and thrifty spenders alike, as stores like Goodwill and Savers are stocked with cardigans.

Blazers

Most commonly associated with professional attire, blazers are also a stylish yet unconventional alternative piece of outerwear to the basic crewneck. While many believe blazers to be only suitable for professional settings like a business meeting or interview, trends in recent years have proven that blazers can be also worn in a casual manner.

From television shows like “Gossip Girl” to bands like Vampire Weekend, the preppy-casual style has been seen across all types of mass media, making the tailored blazer a key piece in mainstream style. Paired with a basic T-shirt and jeans, the blazer can easily add a polished, clean look without sacrificing comfort.

Types of Jackets

The basic cotton jacket just doesn’t seem to cut it these days. While classic zip-up jackets are often thought of as one of the most conventional pieces of outerwear, fashion has updated the jacket time and time again by experimenting with textures and fabrics.

While fall may not yet call for fur jackets, some styles that can vamp up a simple wardrobe are denim and leather. Denim jackets are suitable for the average college student because they are durable yet still easy to pair with. Likewise, leather jackets add edginess to any outfit as classic versatile pieces. From motorcycle to bomber jackets, they can find a home in anyone’s closet.

Due to the popularity of leather jackets, they are also accessible to most college students on a budget. Although they can be found in most stores, Forever 21 specifically offers faux leather jackets as low as $23.