College gave me untold freedoms, but one in particular was a game changer. Along with being able to stay up as late as I wanted, choose my own classes, and eat unconventional meals, I was excited to find that in college, I could wear whatever I wanted.

You see, I attended a high school with a strict dress code, which required me to wear a uniform consisting of navy sweatshirts, green polo shirts, plaid skirts, and dark-colored dress shoes. Occasionally, we’d have “spirit days,” where students could wear any item with the school’s name on it. The best days were “dress down days,” where we could leave our uniforms at home and wear anything that followed the dress code.

Many of us chose to wear t-shirts and sweats when “dress down days” came, choosing optimal comfort over going with the trends. I was no exception. Most of the time, I’d rock a graphic tee from an extracurricular activity or class. My personal favorites included an AP Biology shirt with a DNA illustration and tagline “Check yourself before you wreck yourself,” and an old “Mathlete” shirt. I’m a nerd, I know.

But when college came around, I constantly found myself asking, “What do I wear today? What do you even wear if there’s no guideline or dress code?” Even with a closet full of clothes, I felt like I never had anything to wear. Plus, my high school t-shirt collection wasn’t going to cut it. But I soon realized what all of us CF girls know, that college is a perfect time to reinvent oneself and experiment.

I still don’t have all the fashion answers, but I’m better than I used to be. But whether you’re a style novice or a seasoned fashion girl, you can always use more tips. With fashion icon Iris Apfel’s help, we can all learn how to infuse creativity into our wardrobes.

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About the Movie 

Directed by Albert Maysles, Iris (2014) follows the life of designer and public figure Iris Apfel, as she navigates the diverse world of fashion with enthusiasm, quick wit, and impeccable style.