For someone who has always had a passion for fashion, condensing my closet to fit those tiny closets at school was a hard task (third time's the charm, right?). Having too much clothing can get frustrating, and it takes up precious living space. In reality, you probably don't need as much as you think you do, as long as you do your laundry weekly! So here are some things that you need, and some things you don't.

Jeans & Shorts

To be honest, you don't need many of these. Four pairs of each will suffice. Just choose different wash colors and a few pairs will do. Denim takes up a lot of room, so the fewer you have of these, the more room you have for more important things.

Coats

Just a couple will do. Opt for neutral toned coats, then they'll go with everything! If you can pack a versatile one, then they'll take up less room. Don't forget to think about the climate you'll be in, if you're in Florida, you don't need anything but light sweaters and cardigans. If you're in the north and tend to get snow, invest in a good winter coat, you'll be thanking me later. Cardigans are also a great investment for springtime or fall, or even the winter. Cardigans can help turn an outfit from drab to fab. They don't take up too much space, so pick a couple you like!

Shoes

Try and keep these to a minimum. Bring one pair of heels, one pair of boots, a couple pairs of sandals, good walking shoes, and tennis shoes. These cover everything you could need. To be honest, the shoes complete the outfit, but most people focus on your outfit, not the shoes you've worn for the past couple days.

Shirts

These are where you can either fill the rest of your closet up or you can choose a few basic pieces to mix and match. If you choose a few basic pieces, don't forget accessories. Pick basic colors (black, grey, white) in different styles (t-shirt, tank top, etc.), then mix them with accessories, cardigans, and different bottoms. That's how to truly make an outfit!

Dresses & Skirts

Truthfully, you don't need dresses. But I like them, so I pack a couple and call it a day. These can be accessorized to make them more versatile. You don't need any fancy dresses, because you don't have anywhere to wear them, but pick out a couple sundresses that could go with anything. Skirts are also unnecessary, but I love twirling in a skirt, so I always pack two different black skirts and call it good.

Packing for college can be a challenge. Condensing your entire collection can be scary, and oftentimes, you pack way more than you need (guilty). If you can go home for spring break and during the summer, you can always rotate out your outfits; this saves a lot of space and allows you to pack more for specific seasons. Just remember to keep it versatile. If you look at something and can only think of one outfit, it isn't for college.

Good luck all, and may the fashion gods be smiling down on you.