Oakland University students are building wardrobes that balance sustainability, individuality and timeless style, blending high-quality staples with secondhand treasures that feel personal and intentional. Across campus, the question of where OU girls shop reveals a fashion culture shaped by values, creativity and thoughtful curation.
Some students gravitate toward elevated basics and well-known brands. Freshman Josslyn Giacona, studying environmental science and sustainability, explained how her approach emphasizes practicality while still embracing clean, polished outfits that reflect her personal taste.
“I shop at Madewell, Aritzia, Patagonia, Abercrombie and North Face,” Giacona said. “Those are also my favorite places to shop, and I get style inspiration from Pinterest.”
For others, timeless elegance defines their wardrobes. Maria Magnoli, editor-in-chief of BeGolden Magazine, said she shops mostly at Banana Republic, a choice that mirrors her classic aesthetic.
“My biggest style icons are Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Lee Radziwill, Princess Diana and Dakota Johnson,” she said — highlighting her love for structured silhouettes, vintage-inspired sophistication and understated glamour.
Maryam Somo, Campus Reporter for The Oakland Post, shared her favorite stores and current trends.
“Right now, my favorite place to shop is American Eagle,” she said. “I know it’s kind of controversial, but they’re genuinely size inclusive and I can find anything I want there without worrying about it fitting, especially their jeans.”
Maryam is also drawn to the wool coat trend.
“A coat elevates any outfit and you don’t need to wear something fancy underneath for it to look good,” she explained.
While she doesn’t follow specific influencers, her dream closet would emulate Dakota Johnson’s effortlessly chic aesthetic.
Thrifting plays a major role in student style, Angela Miranda explained, president of the Vintage Fashion Club.
“I think that thrifting influences personal style more compared to shopping fast fashion because when buying from thrift stores, it forces you to only focus on whether you actually like the piece of clothing or not, compared to fast fashion, where everything is trendy, making it slightly less personal,” Miranda said.
She added that the club encourages sustainable and creative shopping habits, like thrift-flipping — repurposing old pieces to avoid overconsumption.
“Thrifting has become more popular among students lately because it’s more affordable, the clothing is often better quality and you can find styles not sold in current stores,” Miranda said. “It’s also more environmentally friendly. Personally, I like to thrift at a Salvation Army near my house. I love it because I find a lot of Y2K pieces there.”
Armeen Shawka, vice president of BeGolden Magazine, highlighted both outerwear and her favorite thrift and retail options. She highlighted Salvation Army and Clothes Mentor in the Rochester area as the go-to places to thrift while listing TJ Maxx or Marshalls for unique finds that are not second-hand.
“Since colder weather is creeping up, we are all pulling out our jackets to stay warm,” Shawka said. “The type of jacket I love to wear and have been seeing others wear is a trench coat. It’s not too thick like a puffer jacket, but it’s thick and long enough to keep you warm. Some places to find a good-quality trench coat are Zara, H&M and Banana Republic.”
Nationally, trends mirror OU students’ choices. A “Town & Country” magazine survey highlights brands like Aritzia, H&M and resale apps like Depop as favorites among college women, with winter staples such as the Aritzia Super Puff and North Face Nuptse. Likewise, Brigham Young University emphasized that thrifting has grown among Gen Z for its affordability, creativity and sustainability.
From Patagonia jackets to Y2K thrift flips and accessible jeans, Oakland University women are blending sustainability, personal style and timelessness — curating wardrobes that are as thoughtful and intentional as they are stylish.
