Ivy League Style: The 5 Things You SHOULD Be Wearing During Your Collegiate Experience

With the start of the fall semester only weeks away for most universities, I can take pause and look back on my own collegiate days, certain of at least one thing:

Men have forgotten how to dress themselves.

While I often bemoan the death of sartorialism and personal style on this blog, I’ve recently warmed to the notion that perhaps not everyone feels comfortable in a skinny knit tie and a blazer (although I for one most certainly do).  And that’s okay.  Dressing with style takes balls, there’s no doubt about it.  People will make comments.  Your male coworkers will question your sexuality.  Women will swoon (hey, they’re not all negatives).

I think part of the problem with young people in today’s world is that they start dressing with little or no effort when they enter college (if you want to see the worst of it, take an 8:30am class-oh, the horrors) and then continue to dress that way…well…forever.  By the time they’ve graduated, they’ve cultivated little or no sense of what “style” is, and, what’s more, are faced with a closet full of hooded sweat-shirts, over-sized t-shirts, and large, rubber basketball shoes.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

And so, in the interest of this year’s incoming freshman class the world over, I’ve put together a short but comprehensive list of replacements for what’s considered standard “college” fair.

For instance, lose the obligatory hooded sweatshirt featuring your Alma Mater’s name splayed across the front and instead replace it with a shawl collar cardigan…

…like this one, available from Old Navy for only $39.99 (buy it a size smaller than you normally would, as their sizes tend to run big).  With its flap pockets and leather buttons, its got a decidedly collegiate look to it, especially in navy (hint: buy it in navy).  It’s the perfect layering piece, and can be worn over pretty much anything, especially when unbuttoned.  Plus, made out of 80% cotton, it’s heavy enough to keep you warm on your way to that 8:30am calculus class.  And, at only $39.99, cheap enough to replace when that cute blonde that sits next to you inevitably “borrows” it.

Next, to keep you on your toes, let’s pitch those garish, neon basketball shoes you’ve been wearing for nigh on five years and pick up a pair of suede chukka boots, like these here from Urban Outfitters (available online, for those of you unlucky enough not to live close to one).  

They’re the perfect vehicle to carry you from fall into winter (not to mention from your dorm room to the cafeteria), and, with a little weather-proofing, should keep your feet warm and dry year-round.  At $78.00, they’re no more costly than your average pair of “Jordans”, and, in the shade of camel seen here, are the perfect accompaniment to that navy shawl collar cardigan you just bought.

We talked about layering earlier, and the next piece is perfect for just that.  Forgo the “distressed” long-sleeve Henley from Hollister or Abercrombie and instead pick up this classic Rugby shirt from L.L. Bean.  It looks great over a t-shirt, under a sweater (say, a navy blue shawl collar cardigan, for instance), and even on its own.  

Once again, buy it a size smaller than normal (try it on for best fit), and don’t be afraid to push up the sleeves every once and a while (it gives you a little devil-may-care swagger).  The football players will have to grudgingly respect you (hey, it is sports apparel) and the cheerleaders will suddenly feel an inexplicable attraction towards you (okay, maybe not, but your odds are definitely better than the guy in the “College” t-shirt).  A steal for $54.00

Unless you’re heading to your first anything-but-pants party (yes, they happen) you’ll need something to rock with all that new outerwear you just purchased.  Lose the artificially distressed jeans you’ve been wearing and intead, head over to The Gap and pick up a pair of slim-fit denim-washed khaki’s.  They’ll feel like your favorite pair of jeans (and, at $59.95, are no more expensive) but have twice the style quotient (and, in “Oak”, look great with everything else you just bought).  Don’t be afraid to cuff’em a little and show off those new chukka boots of yours, either.

Lastly, for the love of God, please, please, PLEASE skip the the ubiquitous Northface jacket that literally everyone on campus will be wearing.  They’re boring, shapeless, and lack character (much like the people who wear them).  Instead, take a page from the style manual of the Ivy League and snag yourself a navy toggle coat, like this one from hip L.A. up-and-comers LIFE/AFTER/DENIM.  If you act quickly, you can scoop it up while it’s still on sale ($103.00 instead of $158.00).  Yes, it’s an investment.  But any jacket worth its wait should be, and, once again, it’s perfect for layering, and, in waxed cotton, near waterproof.  Do like the gentleman in the picture and wear it with everything, including your new khaki’s (but skip the New Wave haircut).

Bonus:  Head over to my friends at http://www.thetiebar.com/ and pick up a club tie or two; stepping out with this much style, you’re going to need them* (plus, once you get comfortable with your own personal style, you can even use them for their intended purpose-you know, wearing them?)

Gentlemen, be warned:  Your male suitemates may look at you a bit strange when you pull on those suede chukkas and that shawl collar sweater.  But rest assured, while they’re busy playing Madden 2012, you’ll be entertaining that busty, brown-eyed coed from down the hall who’s always walking around in her yoga pants.

Just remember to leave a neck-tie on the door*

M-