Falling for these trends

Illustration by Kylee Weber

It’s finally that time of the year: spooky season. It’s also now one of the most basic times of the year; pumpkin spice is out, it’s sweater weather, there are cozy nights by a fire pit and so many other activities to do. However, many of these activities aren’t everyone’s go-to thing. For example, I absolutely hate pumpkin spice. I think it’s the nastiest thing to taste and I don’t understand how Starbucks sells so much of it, especially when it’s only September. It’s still 92 degrees outside on most days, so why are people buying hot drinks that are meant for November? I’m going to let you in on a secret: not everyone is basic enough to do the same thing.

Now that I’ve turned this into a venting session, here are some of the main trends that fight for the spotlight in the fall season.

Sweater Weather vs. Sweatshirt Weather:

It’s the best time of the year; there’s the cool breeze, that slight chill in the air. The leaves are changing colors and falling to the ground. Every person on campus will be in one of two different outfits: cute and stylish, comfy or a “grouch fit.” Sweaters are an essential for not just women but men too. It is a comfortable style while not looking like you just rolled out of bed. I love sweater weather, but I have a pretty good balance of attempting to look nice and being comfortable. I will be sporting the grouch fit a lot this year. If you see me around campus, a majority of the time I will be in a sweatshirt. There might be one day a week that you see me walking a little taller with more energy, just because I put a sweater on. However, sweatshirts will always be my go to; it’s simple, it has pockets, I can essentially wear them with any pants or shorts. Sweaters, on the other hand, take planning and coordination. Each day will be different this fall, but the question is, what you are more likely to wear when the leaves begin to change?

Pumpkin spice vs. Apple Cider:

I’ve already shared my opinion on the most popular fall trend that has been around for years. Pumpkin spice has become popular over the years, especially because Starbucks has begun their fall advertising in September. Many people find this pumpkin flavor drink an essential for feeling cozy and warm on the inside and out. I am not one of those people. My go-to fall drink is caramel apple cider. It makes me feel cozy, calms my nerves and makes me happy. The best place to get apple cider is the Louisburg Cider Mill, 14730 KS-68, Louisburg, Kan. 66053; they give out little cups of happiness that allow an addiction to begin (not to mention the amazing donuts they sell, but that is for another time). The apple cider addiction is slowly catching on in hope of pushing out the pumpkin spice “coffee.” Yes, I put coffee into quotations because essentially, it’s not actual coffee. If you’re a pumpkin spice lover and you’re reading this, I’m sorry if you feel offended that I’m tearing down your go-to drink. Maybe we can all try new drinks this fall. Who knows, maybe a new flavor will come out to get us addicted to fall even more than we already are.

Leggings vs. Jeans:

Ah, the basic but most amazing invention females have ever encountered: leggings. These are as comfortable as sweatpants, except they show off our curves a little. Just like sweaters, they are comfortable and fashion forward. Females can wear leggings on any occasion, allowing them to be dressed up or dressed down. Leggings are an essential to fall breeze, as it gets too chilly for shorts after September and we begin to get the judgmental question of “aren’t you cold?” Jeans, on the other hand, are amazing and can make you feel dressed up. It’s incredible how a little denim can make you feel good about yourself. Jeans can be worn with anything: sweatshirts, sweaters, t-shirts, tanks; virtually any shirt you can think of, most likely you can wear it with  jeans. On the days that you decide you need a little denim in your life to make you feel better about your appearance, remember that it can also be used to dress up or dress down. Or, if you’re like me and run out of leggings and have no other pants to wear so you’re forced to wear jeans, throw on a sweatshirt; you’ll at least be comfortable from the waist up.

Fire Pit vs. Movie Night:

The smell of burning wood, the sound of laughter and the popping of a fire and tasting the roasted marshmallows: it’s the fire pit. The simplest yet most exciting activity one can do on a fall evening. Fire pits bring people together to bond over a pile of burning wood. Such a weird event yet we don’t see it as this, we see it as a fun, exciting, social atmosphere that we get to relax with our friends while participating. If you’re like me and you absolutely love socializing, this is something you probably enjoy getting out and doing a lot as well. However, as much as I love socializing, I need a few calm nights as well. Movie night with my roommates has been a tradition for me since I came to college. There will be chilly fall nights that we order pizza, throw on our favorite lounge pants and set up a movie marathon in our living room. These activities are the easiest and cheapest things to do while relaxing with friends. Who knows, maybe you can combine both of them and have a movie night outdoors with your friends while roasting marshmallows over an open fire. Maybe it’s a good date night idea for the boys who are trying to shoot their shot with that pretty girl they just met.

Pumpkin Patch vs. Corn Maze:

Picking out pumpkins has been a tradition for most of us since we were children; it’s that fun day of trying to find the perfectly shaped pumpkin, only to carve it later that day. Many people, as they grow older, stop buying the pumpkins and simply go for the experience. If you are like most girls on my Instagram who decide just to go to get that amazing and perfect “fall picture,” you are in the best place. Pumpkin patches have beautiful scenery and there are so many cute and artsy captions that can go along with your pictures. If you aren’t one of those girls, maybe try going and taking those pictures; you never know, you may take your new favorite picture of you. Others have fun with the corn maze. If you are like me and you are absolutely terrified of a corn maze, I wouldn’t suggest doing it by yourself, or at sunset. All I can think about while being in a corn maze is how this could turn into a horror movie in a blink of an eye. Many people on the other hand love the thrill of that horror movie-esque and find it exciting to go to a corn maze. It can be a great date night, or even friends getting together to get out of their dorm room. These fall places are amazing for taking artsy photos and creating new memories with the people you love.

Booties vs. Sneakers:

Booties: the cute short boots that every female owns. These have been the uprising of the fall shoes. Many girls wear these shoes on a daily basis to spice up their outfit. I don’t know what it is about booties, but I feel more confident when wearing them, they make me feel good about myself and remind me that it is fun to dress up. However, we are all athletes and the 5:45 a.m. weights kick you in the butt more often than you think. Sneakers have always been my go-to when having my grouch fit.  Sneakers are almost always comfortable, meanwhile, depending on the style, the booties have a heel to it adding more pressure on the bottom of our feet. Try new things this semester; if you’re in your off season, you have more availability to dress nice. Push yourself to dress nice at least once a week and try wearing booties that day. Who knows, maybe it will take over as your favorite shoe?

Scary Movies vs. Hallmark Movies: 

Scary movie, night? Maybe it’s something you enjoy doing with your loved ones or in a big group, but I would not recommend watching scary movies on your own. I physically can’t get myself to watch them unless I’m with other people or in the daylight. Even then I get scared and have to walk away from it, I know I’m a wimp. If watching scary movies at night is your thing, then I say go for it: put your favorite comfy clothes on, grab a blanket, maybe a cuddle buddy and sit back and enjoy your night. For others, like myself, I’m more of a basic Halloween or hallmark movie lover. I’m not a big fan of jump scares or bloody scenes. I like the classics: Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, basically any family Halloween or fall themed movie you can sign me up for. Just find whatever you find comfortable with and create a night out of it.

Some of these trends are more basic than others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them. Find what makes you happy during the fall and do it. Get outside of your comfort zone and try a different trend. If you hate it, oh well, at least you tried it. These trends may not be around next year, so might as well try them now while they are popular and figure out if you enjoy it. You never know, you might like both of the competing trends and use each of them this fall.