College Fashion Don'ts: How to Dress in College

Each college differs in what makes up the predominant college fashion. Oftentimes, the college fashion style will depend on the locale: Students at NYU will certainly dress differently than students at, say Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Don't make the mistake of thinking fashion in college is the same everywhere-I go to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, where everyone is notoriously dressed down in ratty jeans and sweats, and was shocked to find that students on other campuses were wearing cute dresses, skinny jeans, and (gasp) high heels on campus. But had they made a few of these college fashion choices in Eau Claire, they would have not survived long on our steep campus hill (which is iced over in the winter) and walking through two feet of snow. But there are a few general rules for college fashion that will keep you looking good no matter what.

DON'T Wear Pajamas to Class

As far as I'm concerned, this is the biggest college fashion no-no. In fact, the students who wear pajamas to go to class are usually the ones who give the rest of us a bad rap for having no sense of fashion in college. They may be comfortable, but pajamas and sweat pants just show a lack of respect for the Professor, the class and yourself. This rule of college fashion will help you stay more alert in class and allow others, including professors, to take you more seriously.

DON'T Hang on to High School Labels

Nothing screams freshman more than a tight baby doll t-shirt with Hollister printed across the front. Fashion in college does not revolve around Abercrombie. In fact, most would agree that wearing these labels is not only bad college fashion, it's just plain embarrassing. I wouldn't be caught dead in a Hollister, not only because it smells so strongly of bad cologne, but also because it is a staple of high school fashion, and is not in fashion in college.

DON'T Wear Clothes That Are Way Too Small

As I said before, nothing screams freshman more than a tight baby doll t-shirt with Hollister printed across the front. But this time, I'll focus on the fit of the clothing. Too tight clothing is not good fashion in college. But unfortunately, it is all too common, since nobody likes to admit that they've gained 15 pounds since high school. Most college students should wear their clothes one or two sizes larger than they are. Not only does wearing ill-fitting clothes look like bad college fashion, it is not flattering for most people and will bring out body parts that you may have been hoping to hide (ie. Mushroom tops)

It isn't that hard to figure out college fashion. It's okay to buy less expensive and less trendy clothing, as long as you dress more like an adult and less like a moody teenager. Fashion in college simply means using common sense and dressing in a way that shows self-respect.