So, in the school paper today there was an article entitled “Fashion 102: Intro to College Couture.” I enjoy reading what someone else in the school thinks about the current fashion scene both here on campus and around the world, but this is just terrible. This whole article is just filled with paltry excuses as to why college students, for lack of a better way to put it, dress like shit. The author, Dana Mendolowitz, lists off three main reasons as to why college students like slobs and years behind the fashion world.
First, she states that college students dress to stick to the weather. There clearly is no way to dress fashionably while staying warm! It’s not like clothing designers are not making up-to-date fashionable coats and sweaters. Oh wait, yes they are! I can go to any major fashion forward e-store, such as Nieman Marcus or Net-A-Porter, and find plenty of great winter clothes that are on the cutting edge of fashion. Without too much searching I can also look around on BlueFly or go to the mall and find great deals on fashionable outerwear. Ok, so maybe Dana’s next reason will really support why college students don’t pay attention to fashion.
Dana then goes on to say that college students develop a “certain libe chic,” because of the long hours many students put in at the libraries study all over campus. Let me get this straight; students go and do work outside of their living space for hours every day. This sounds oddly similar to what adults outside of the college environment call work. Yes, this is a far off concept to many, but people do go and do things they don’t necessarily want to do for many hours every day. I would love it if any student at Cornell could tell me more than a handful of companies that allow pajama pants, sweat pants or gym clothes as appropriate daily wear to work. So, why is this appropriate clothing for the library? SURELY Dana’s last point will tell me why college students can’t dress themselves.
Dana’s final reason is that college students don’t have the time and/or money to build and maintain a proper wardrobe. This is pure rubbish. If you are wearing clothes, then at some time you had the money to buy those clothes and therefore could have used that money to buy something more stylish. I thoroughly understand if every student does not have a couple hundred dollars to update their wardrobe every season, but whenever students find themselves buying clothing, they can very easily buy things that look good and will last. There are many items that will always stand the test of time and fashion, classically fashionable items. The dark colored peacoat, the slim suit, the little black dress, nice slacks and many other items will look great for years to come.
Dana’s article is just adding to the problem. If students see more articles like this they will feel that continually diminishing the level of dress on campus is acceptable. Soon dressing up for class will mean jeans and a t-shirt and the norm will be just rolling out of bed and wearing whatever you fell asleep in. I for one think that every student capable of getting into Cornell or any college for that matter is more than capable to dress themselves well on a daily basis and does not have any excuse to do otherwise.
I completely agree! I’m 19, and go to Oregon State Uni. I grew up in Australia, where fashion generally seems to be beachy and lazy in my small town. I personally feel that everyone can step it up a little bit! I hate the pj look, I hate the ugg boot look. It’s ok in your dorm room or with friends, but not in public. And since when are pj’s warm enough for the weather? And flip flops! No wonder they all get sick each winter! I’m not saying I’m stylish or anything. In fact I’m not. But I wear attire fit to be seen in public, and definitely appropriate to be witnessed by my professors!!
I loved your article
Rachel
Hell! I’m not even a college student anymore and I’m STILL too lazy sometimes to even figure out what to wear. I do have a high-stress work schedule, so that’s what zaps my energy. I don’t wear the pj look, nor the Ugg look, nor (gasp!) the hideous flip flop look, nor the oversized sweatshirt/pants look.
I used to do the baggy Abercrombie & Fitch look… a lot. Not anymore!! My posture suffered, and I couldn’t possibly get myself into the mindset of success looking like I crawled out of a laundry basket.
When I started modelling, I was taught that what you wear is, to the outside world, a direct reflection of who we are on the inside, whether it’s really true to us or not. To get more jobs and opportunities, we quickly learned to dress ourselves immaculately, no matter how much our clothes were worth. Every zipper must zip properly, every button must be in place (no missing ones!), both shoes must be sparkling clean, etc. Hair must be neatly styled up or down. Nails must be well-kept. Makeup is another story, simplicity is best, especially during the day. Too many girls go around with the obvious foundation mask!
I seriously had to take inventory of my entire wardrobe and make a list of everything I have and what outfits can be put together for each piece, so I have no temptation to go out in public like a careless mess. A nice binder or notebook can organise this information well.
I must confess that dressing well DOES do amazing things to one’s psyche! Mood, confidence, energy, etc. are all enhanced.
Yes, I agree that there are nice shops (Net-a-porter, Bergdorf, Neiman, etc) with nice, well constructed and designed warm clothes, and they all do have sales!
You never know who you are going to meet, and you don’t want to scare a potentially important person away with your appearance! People DO look at your clothes and shoes (and hair, and nails for that matter).
I avoid Old Navy, Gap, H&M, and Bluefly (over-glorified T.J. Maxx equivalent) like the plague, due to bad experiences with their merchandise and general contempt for their selection and low quality-grade. However, if you buy classic basics such as black turtlenecks and white button shirts there, they can sometimes easily pass for higher quality clothing or at least blend in well. Many fashion connoisseurs can tell that they are not, but unless you’re going to be hanging around big fashion-forward cities like New York/London/Paris/Milan, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Urban Outfitters is a very good shop with quality items at decent prices. They are great, stylish clothes to travel with too, and if your luggage ever gets lost, you won’t be so heartbroken over losing expensive garments.
TopShop is another excellent source.
You can also find high quality clothing at little-known internet boutiques, and there’s more of a possibility that you will find something unique that most of the well-known stores don’t carry. There’s also a better chance that you won’t bump into someone who is wearing the same thing. Even if you do find yourself in a room with a fashion clone, it doesn’t matter…it’s all in how you wear it that makes it uniquely yours.
Some alternatives to the following ghastly choices in clothing and accessories:
Anoraks/Snowboarding Jackets/Puff Coats: They are fine on the slopes or extreme weather, but how about a nice thick, wool or cashmere coat instead? It is more versatile, and can go with everything from jeans, to dresses, to dress trousers, etc. A nice coat can even dress up a well-fitting tracksuit (see below).
PJs: Stella McCartney Adidas, Juicy Couture velour/terry/cashmere tracksuits, James Perse loungewear, Under Armour fitness wear, etc.
Uggs: Streamlined trainers such as Pumas, or even Converse All Stars with Dr. Sholl’s insoles in them… or make your own furry insoles with material from a fabric shop. I don’t have anything specifically against Uggs, but I do only like the tall boots, not the short ones, and I would only wear them visiting friends at their woodsy-area homes and towns, where you can stick out like a flamingo if you wear anything remotely more stylish and chic than jeans and plaid shirts.
Flip-Flops: How about some beautiful, leather strappy sandals instead? You’ll never have to feel self-conscious about going into a nice restaurant or being turned away from one.
Ratty old bags: a neat streamlined backpack such as the ones by Travelpro, a simple messenger bag, a lovely purse from a little-known internet boutique, a neat duffel embroidered with your initials, a smart briefcase bought on sale from a travel shop or computer store, a solid color, high quality tote bag from L.L. Bean (which many well-to-do people buy anyway)…. bags don’t necessarily have to cost so much.
Life is too valuable to be compromising the quality and fit of your clothes. Everyone deserves to be dressed well, and enjoy the benefits of doing so!