Fall foliage. [Adobe Stock/FAMUAN]
Florida’s fall is now upon us, bringing a need to adjust wardrobes, routines and ways of operating.
For many students who have already experienced Tallahassee’s unpredictable weather, navigating classes in the cold won’t be easy, with crisp mornings accompanied by warm, humid afternoons.
The season’s shift doesn’t only involve a major wardrobe change; it’s about adjusting to an unpredictable rhythm of North Florida’s weather. Students at FAMU are planning ahead to stay warm by layering clothes and incorporating cozy fabrics like knits, wool or leather—including the crowd favorite Ugg boots.
“I typically wear a lot of layers when I put fits together,” said Miles Mallory, a fourth-year fine arts major. “I try to find thinner clothes so it’s more versatile when the weather switches from that 90-to 70- degree range. It’s still light and breathable, but when it gets chilly, it’s not that crazy.”
That blend of practicality and creativity echoes across campus as students learn to balance fashion and functionality. For Shamari Forbes, a second-year business administration scholar from Orlando, adaptability is part of her daily routine.
“Honestly, I probably go through a few outfits a day,” Forbes said. “If I have an early class, I’ll be in sweats and a hoodie. But if I have a meeting or event later, I’ll switch into something business casual.”
Forbes also noted comfortability.
“It’s all about being comfortable and confident while still matching the vibe and the weather,” she said.
Not everyone embraces the colder months with enthusiasm, though. Second-year pre-nursing student Sasha Jaque admits the drop in temperature completely changes her mood and her style.
“I hate the cold; anytime it gets below 75, I’m a mess,” she said, laughing. “But when winter comes, I get into my little streetwear era—more layers, sweaters, collared shirts under sweaters. It’s a whole aesthetic switch for me.”
Whether it’s pulling out vests and vintage sweaters, adapting scrubs for nursing clinicals, or simply figuring out which hoodie can handle both sunrise chills and noon heat, one thing remains certain—FAMU students are making fall their own.
With individuality in every outfit, the Hill’s fashion scene shows that even as the weather changes, style and self-expression never take a back seat.