As you may know, I am the writer for the “Ask CF” column here at College Fashion. However, I’d be lying if I said that I always have the answers to every fashion conundrum. In fact, to this day, I consider my mom Joanne (here’s her and I) to be the ultimate fashion expert. I can thank her for teaching me just about everything that I know about fashion today.

Having said that, it only made sense that I share some of my mom’s style wisdom with CF readers; so, I decided to give her a call and ask her how to build the perfect classic wardrobe that will last through college and beyond. Here’s the advice she had:

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom to see some timeless outfits inspired by my mom’s tips.

Table of Contents

1. Consider Proportion

My mom’s first piece of advice is that in general, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing tight pieces with other tight pieces, and loose pieces with other loose pieces, as doing either of these things is usually unflattering, regardless of body type.

Instead, she advises mixing the tighter pieces in your wardrobe with looser ones, in order to create a well-balanced and proportional look that’s pleasing to the eye.

2. Don’t Spend Money on Cheap Pieces

My mom has always, always maintained that it is better to have fewer more expensive items than a bunch of cheap things that won’t last. Therefore, don’t invest in inexpensive, poor-quality pieces — even basics.

Now, that’s not to say that you have to drop hundreds on a single item; rather, the point here is that it is always better to save up for something that is high-quality rather than using that money to buy five equivalent items from a cheaper, lower-quality brand.