I’m declaring it: Collegiate-Girl Fall is in full swing, and these products perfectly represent the trend.
Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column that explores the latest trends in fashion and beauty from the perspective of Who What Wear's Gen Z editors. You can expect insights into the new wave of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style preferences directly from the generation that’s shaping trends. Coming from a family of academics whom I affectionately call degree collectors, embarking on a higher education journey while adorned in an excessive assortment of chunky wool sweaters, leather loafers, headbands, and classic tortoiseshell glasses was all part of the plan. Raised with quintessential Pacific Northwest characteristics—like favoring a hiking trail over a sample sale—I also grew up absorbing my parents' fondness for their years on the East Coast, where they studied at one of the nation's top universities, renowned for its nearly 400-year-old red-brick buildings enveloped in ivy. It's no surprise that the revered spaces of academic institutions continue to inspire aesthetic enthusiasts like me, but there’s something uniquely captivating about how collegiate environments influence the realms of beauty and fashion.
Drawing inspiration from the diverse subcultures and traditions of prestigious preparatory schools and Ivy League colleges, collegiate-themed fashion and beauty have developed their own distinct identity. As fall returns and school bells ring once more, my TikTok For You Page is inundated with "get ready with me" videos that analyze the iconic styles of some of today’s most recognizable preppy characters from our television screens—like Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl (and her modern equivalent, Monet de Haan) or Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars. While the earthy hues and textures of their outfits catch most people's attention, beauty aficionados focus on the refined details that make the aesthetic accessible to individuals from various backgrounds.
Now that we’ve officially stepped into the cooler months, stirring up collegiate sentiments online again, it’s time to tap into my inner scholar. This installment of Gen Z Says highlights the makeup, fragrances, essential manicures, and accessories that stand second only to the crunch of leaves underfoot, the refreshing coolness of autumn bonfires, and the thrill of a new academic year. Class is in session!
**Fragrance**
**Diptyque - L'Eau Papier Eau de Toilette**
*Scent Type:* Fresh musk
*Notes:* White musks, steamed rice accord, mimosa, blonde woods accord
I’ve already expressed my adoration for this intimate Diptyque scent, but I find it evokes a collegiate spirit. L'Eau Papier is a light and refreshing musk fragrance, featuring steamed rice, radiant mimosa, and a rich blonde wood accord to mimic the scent of paper. What makes this perfume remarkable is how seamlessly it blends with the skin, exuding warmth that develops into a soft, musky finish.
**Diptyque - Eau Duelle Eau de Parfum**
*Scent Type:* Warm spices
*Notes:* Vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, calamus
When I recall scents tied to late-night study marathons and early morning tests, Diptyque's Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette immediately comes to mind. This spicy vanilla fragrance opens with a rich burst of Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar and transitions into lively pink peppercorn, complemented by deep, smoky cypriol and calamus that introduce warm spices. The vanilla beans are harvested while still green, followed by a 34-month aging process.
**Byredo - Bibliothèque Eau de Parfum**
*Scent Type:* Aromatic woods
*Notes:* Peach, plum, peony, violet, leather, patchouli, vanilla
Before I discovered this Byredo gem, I never imagined a fragrance could so perfectly encapsulate the aroma of soft leather book covers, aged bindings, and libraries brimming with books. Bibliothèque embodies the velvety nature of paper, interwoven with delicate notes of peach and plum that gradually reveal a powdery violet nuance. Its base note composition of radiant patchouli, smooth leather, and a hint of vanilla creates a scent that takes me back to lost evenings spent reading, cradling a cup of black tea.
**Réservation Parfums - Chambre Secrète Eau de Parfum**
*Scent Type:* Amber woods
*Notes:* Vanilla absolute, incense, olibanum oil
While not everyone can experience the mystique of a timeless boarding school filled with generational secrets, I can indulge in a fragrance that possesses a haunting beauty with a mysterious edge. Chambre Secrète by Réservation Parfums is gentle and refined, featuring cozy vanilla absolute uplifted by warm incense. The earthy depth of olibanum oil (frankincense) anchors the scent, delivering a touch of romance alongside a familiar edge.
**Makeup**
**Poppy & Pout - Uptown Autumn Collection**
*Priced individually*
When Poppy & Pout unveiled its Uptown Autumn collection, it felt like a return to my fall days on the Upper
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I’m declaring it: Collegiate-Girl Fall is in full swing, and these products perfectly represent the trend.
It's time to study.