Managing finances as a college student can be as difficult as actually going to school. Tuition fees, school books, groceries, where is there room to build a wardrobe? And that’s just buying the clothes. What about putting them together? No one’s got the brain power left to do that after a marathon three-hour exam or waking up at six in the morning to shuffle to your commute. But it’s still possible. Don’t let student debt or late night studying bring down your style.
Looking back, there had to be a time when you put an effort in your appearance, right? Make no mistake: Everyone brings it on the first week of school. You had to make a strong first impression or risk becoming overshadowed by the mass of well-dressed college students trying to make a name for themselves. With our help, you can make that fashionable first week an everyday occurrence.
It’s time to put the “Fresh” in freshman
Just Got Out of Bed
This is how far fashion has fallen in school. A college student favorite… the appearance of just waking up from your slumber is an acceptable look in the campus bubble, especially during exam season. An invitation to literally “come as you are” to class does not mean straight from bed. We can certainly apply a bit of an upgrade to this outfit.
The traditional sleepwear of a college student consists of sweaters and sweatpants. Very few wear actual pajamas as you still have to be somewhat presentable to your roommates. Instead of loose sweatpants, look for cuffed joggers which are just as comfy, look better, and prevent the cold from seeping through the bottom cuffs.
Hoodies are for people who want to cover their heads when they sleep in class, so go with a graphic crew-neck sweater or a plain one if you layer a plaid shirt underneath for an improved look. A word of advice from us: a pair of nice sneakers with this casual outfit will do wonders for your appearance. It’ll show that you really do care about your appearance, no matter how many sweaters you throw on. Regular running shoes don’t have enough street cred so you’ll probably need to bring in something like a pair of New Balance or Chuck Taylors.
Ivy League
Who hasn’t seen this guy around campus? You’ve probably seen these kinds of guys and their stereotyped lore in movies, but they do exist. A rare breed not often exhibited in a public school setting anymore, Ivy Leaguers are herded into their niche locations where they are not to be disturbed by us “normal” folk. Considering themselves the social elites, they have a reputation to dress the part and they certainly don’t disappoint.
Ivy Leaguers are usually decked out in smart casual wear with a blazer and many times they mix and match colors… khakis with a green sweater, baby blue shirt, navy tie and a burgundy blazer. Sometimes linked with frat guy outfits, but do not be mistaken. Ivy leaguers don’t mix boat shoes with chino shorts. That would be a sin on the beautiful campuses of Harvard and Yale. Fun fact: Ivy Leaguers took part in popularizing the “tied sweater around your neck” look, which is a casual spin on the usual strict dress codes of yesteryear.
I Have a Presentation
Is it here? Is it time? Yes, you can finally break out the suit you’ve been waiting to wear. People wearing suits on a college campus stick out like a sore thumb. Not even professors do shirt and ties anymore, so why should students? Wrong! Students should feel free to wear a nice suit whenever they’d like, but for now… we’ll settle with presentation day.
We all know the feeling: Realizing you have to make a speech in class, roll your eyes, and look through your closet for collared shirts. Keep it simple as we’ve always preached: White shirt, navy blazer and pants, conservative tie, and brown shoes. If it’s a more casual type of presentation, you can use a shirt and tie or even get away with just an open collared shirt, though we advise against it. If you can wear a suit, wear it! It never hurts to look good. Just remember, if you choose the suit, be prepared to wear it all day. You shouldn’t hang it on your chair and you sure can’t stuff it in your backpack.
Varsity Hero
Oh yes, the varsity hero. The school savior. The man of the hour. Any guy that wears a varsity jacket on today’s school campuses gets instantly recognized. Just a refresher, the varsity jacket is a piece of outerwear that is unfairly associated with jocks and a stylish way to represent your school or sports team. There are many styles but the traditional one is composed of wool with leather contrast sleeves and a sharp, ribbed cuff finish. The detailing on the cuffs, waist, and collar make it stand out from all the other types of outerwear.
The trademark of a quality varsity jacket is its patching, usually one big patch on the left chest or on the sleeves to identify the wearer’s allegiance. It used to be tradition that school athletes would get a varsity jacket. However, schools have now changed to performance-based track jackets due to company sponsorships. But you don’t need to be a sports hero to be able to wear one, just your pride in your school will be enough. That and a nice pair of jeans.
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