Come winter time at the University of Michigan, girls across campus whip out their best cozy clothes for that brutal -10-degree walk to Angel Hall. There are not many options to be warm, comfortable, and still look cute enough to run into your favorite frat boy crossing the Diag. The combination of lack of options and our natural need to flock to our friends creates a very distinct uniform to be seen across campus.
If you're not sporting maize and blue or the Michigan "M," here’s a few pieces of clothing that let everyone know you’re a Wolverine.
1. The black, long, fur-hooded Canada Goose
The long dress style is unflattering on nearly everyone, but it's still practically part of your tuition to own one of these bad boys. And if you weren’t willing to drop the $900+ dollars on acoat, then you own the North Face knock-off instead.
Life hack: buy the Canada Goose badge ($14.99 for 2 on Amazon) and prime that sh*t right to your dorm room. Patch one on, then buy yourself something nice with the $700 you just saved. https://www.amazon.com/Program-Embroidered-Appliques-Costume-Registration/dp/B01A6KHOP2
2. The hat with the puffy ball
You know the one. There’s also an... interesting… trendgoing on with the hats with two puffballs. I personally think this makes girls look like Mickey Mouse, but hey, to each one’s own.
3. These Sorels
Sorel makes a lot of boots, but there's something about this pair in that oh-so-tasteful tan-ish yellow that catches every girl’s heart (and wallet).
4. Timberland's
If you don't have the Sorels, you definitely have these Timberlands. Not sure why dressing like a lumberjack is such a thing now. To be a true Michigan girl, wear these with fuzzy socks peeping out to go for the "Oh, I just threw these on" vibe.
5. White sneakers
For some, these may be our "frat shoes" so we can totally trash them. But whether you wear them to frats or to class on the 20 days total it doesn't snow, don't deny you own them.
6. Black leggings
There once was an era of debate in which leggings weren’t considered proper pants. Now, you seriously can’t remember the last time you wore jeans...
Personal anecdote: I once saw my friend wearing jeans and a sweater in our lounge and asked if she was going to an event. She wasn’t.
7. Something purposefully ripped
Again, no one at Michigan wants to look like they are trying too hard. So, the perfect answer is to leave people wondering if you paid for your sweater to look like that, or if you got attacked by a rabid dog on the way to lecture. Who knows!
8. Something camouflage
When you have class at 4 and combat Army training at 6.9. Sorority gear
If it’s laundry day for the usual sweatshirt, a laptop sticker will suffice.
10. Joggers
The true Gucci of sweatpants.