You should probably know by now that college is a completely different animal from high school, and that goes for both the academics and the lifestyle. College fashion is a more mature, if trickier, affair than the styles that you used to favor back in your early teen days. Sure, it's the perfect time to try out new things and discover your individual sense of style. There are, however, certain things that are difficult to live without at uni.
Suit and Tie
While these are items that you should have had at the very first mention of 'prom,' you should buy yourself a suit and at least one formal necktie as soon as you receive the letter of admission. College, after all, is your first stab at adult men's fashion, which places a high value on the reliable combination of a suit and a tie. You'll likely find yourself in at least one formal event during your first month there, and that will call for a suit and tie.
Many guides exist to detail the kinds of suits and neckties that a fashionable man must own. Essentially, you should start simple when buying your very first set. Not only will they be the cheapest and thus the likeliest to be within the average collegiate budget, but they'll also be some of the best investments in your closet that you could possibly make.
If you find yourself at a loss on what to get first, start with a navy two piece suit that has a two-button jacket. This formal-casual go-between should give you the best mileage throughout your stay at college. Pair this with a striped tie, particularly of the repp style; it's a timeless design that you should be able to use as often as the suit.
Sport Coat
At college, you'll find that the real range of men's dress codes extends far beyond merely 'casual,' 'semiformal' and 'formal'. There will be occasions when you want to be formal but dressed down, casual but dressed up or mixed-and-matched. For those times when the traditional dress codes fail you, the sport coat does much to change a look.
Somewhere between the formal suit jacket and the practical cold weather jacket lies the sport coat, which does a bit of both. It adds a formal touch to an otherwise dressed down outfit, while at the same time giving you another layer on cold days. Throw it over chinos and a polo shirt for a laid back weekend outfit. Wearing it with dark jeans and a dressier shirt makes the jacket perfect for going out for dinner or movies.
Like with the suit, navy is always a good starting point with a sport coat because it's such a versatile color. Black and brown styles, however, are also good options, and should be considered if you have the extra budget for them.
Messenger Bag
Backpacks aren't going to work as well after you've outgrown the halls of high school. In college, everyt women's jackets hing - your bag included - should declare refinement and maturity. It's time to swap in your battered old backpack for something a little more adult-worthy.
Since you'll be bringing fewer books around and will likely have a dorm room for all your extra stuff, you won't need that much space anymore. A slimmer, sleeker messenger should be perfect for the new collegiate you. This is just as well, since the load of your school stuff will no longer be distributed across both your shoulders.
Canvas is a good and readily available material for messenger bags, and one in black or brown should serve you well. For a true fashion investment, though, consider leather in black or brown. It's more expensive and harder to maintain, but looks a lot more adult and adds character to your outfit. If you can't afford real leather just yet, there are other styles made from stamped PVC that should create the same effect for less money.
It's said that college is a different world, and that's true as far as fashion is concerned. You'll definitely want to consider a few wardrobe upgrades before finally entering the world of adult education.
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