by Hannah Lauder

Created on: June 04, 2009

Every year, I would witness my fellow college women lugging baskets and suitcases simply overflowing with clothing for every conceivable and inconceivable occasion. The stress involved in moving in or out aside, I never found it necessary to haul that much clothing. In the end, most of it never gets worn. Admit it to yourself: you don't wear a good 75% of it.

Learning to instead create a versatile wardrobe out of a few pieces is an art any woman should learn. To avoid straining yourself more than necessary - and to make you less of a potty mouth than you already are - here are some basics:

Jeans: For starters, every female college student should have a couple pairs of good jeans. Jeans are sturdy, can go through a few wearings before being washed, and can be either dressed up or down. A staple in any closet.

Trousers: A pair of khakis or black pants are always a good idea to have on hand. They're useful for interviews or any event that requires just a slightly more formal mode of dress.

Shirts: Keep in mind the fact that most of your time will be spent in more casual wear. A few t-shirts and everyday blouses will be just fine. When you need to dress up a bit, a button-down shirt is also a great staple.

Black Dress: A simple black dress is the ultimate in timeless and will get much use. It doesn't have to seem plain if accessorized with a brightly-colored scarf or jewelery.

Outerwear: A light jacket for Spring and Autumn, as well as a winter coat.

Shoes: For casual, a pair of good sneakers or boots. For dressier occasions, a simple pair of pumps or flats. Having a pair of flip flops never hurts either (particularly if you live in a dorm and have no choice but to patronize the community showers.)

Be sure to choose colors that not only compliment you and your personal sense of style, but will coordinate with one another as well. Black, white, blue and beige are good base colors. This way you can magically create a multitude of outfits from a very small wardrobe.

See your personal wardrobe as an investment as well. In all likelihood, you're not going to have much in the way of cash throughout your college career. It makes sense, then, to invest now in classic clothing that will wear well and last.

As a final note, I would counsel college women not to skimp when it comes to socks and underwear. They tend to get lost quite easily through no real fault of your own.

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