Fashion Dreckitude

A casual look at the fashion trends in the classroom is confounding. Whether its pajamas, extremely fitted short skirts or shorts, bare midriffs or bottom spillages, all are perfectly inappropriate. Sometimes I wonder if these students have mirrors or even friends. Friends don't let friends drink and dress!

Classroom dress code is posted in most buildings (I think), but it seems as though student disregard and faculty does not enforce. Classroom attire should be that of a business casual job. There is no reason a student cannot be fashionable but appropriate for class. Taking into account that most college students are on a tight budget, apparel stores such as Old Navy, Forever 21, and H&M are favorites among budget conscious savvy shoppers. According to Target Market News, The Black Consumer Market Authority, forty percent of undergraduate students say OldNavy.com is one of their favorite shopping sites. With their new fall pieces starting at $15.00, what budget conscious college student wouldn't like Old Navy? In addition, catching Forever 21's yellow tag deals including cardigans for $21.00 and H&M's tailored trouser pants for $34.00, students can be stylishly apt for class. Several looks on Forever21.com shop by outfit section stood out to me. Outfits ranged around $70.00 and included 3 or more pieces. That's a bargain! Even though the items are cheap, doesn't mean they have to look it. Always consider the material when purchasing cheaper priced items. If you pick timeless pieces, they can last throughout your college years, while saving money.

If you are not among the fashionably inclined, being able to style an outfit on your own, several websites have shop by outfit sections with a variety of looks to fit a plethora of styles. Sections like this can spark ideas to fit your own personal style. And hey, if you don't know what your personal style is yet, imitation is the best form of flattery.

However, you don't have to be a walking carbon copy of your style icon. You can make it your own. I love Rachel Zoe and June Ambrose's style aesthetic, but you will not see me walking around in an all pink pant suit with an equally vivid floppy hat. That's not my personality. Although I'm in awe of their confidence & how remarkable they always look, I would never imitate their style. I can say that I would take those pieces and mix them with neutrals to fit my personality. I prefer statement pieces versus my entire outfit being a bold statement.

3 indications of inappropriate classroom attire:

·        Constantly tugging to cover up

·        You  received  inspiration from a 1990 2 Live Crew video

·        Lady Gaga wore it

Please don't misunderstand what I'm trying to convey. By no means am I saying dress like a milk maid or a Quaker, but your line of attack should always be tasteful and  refined.  "Present yourself in a form suitable to the relationship you wish to keep with people…if you dress trashy, people are going to treat you trashy," says Mass Communication senior Darryl Johnson. Darryl says leaving things to the imagination is quite appealing and also ultimately much more suitable for the classroom.

Some people use sexy and naked synonymously; those people are sadly confused. But you should ask the question, why are you trying to be "sexy" for class. The main focus should be your education. Don't be a distraction to others and most importantly yourself.

"A woman's dress should be like a barbed wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view."- Sophia Loren