Finally, a new school year is upon us, and college freshmen everywhere are panicking as they attempt to figure out what to pack. But fear not, for I can help! And so, I present to you three menswear essentials to pack, and three items to skip for all college freshmen!
1. A suit that fits well
You might be thinking, "What would I need a suit for? It’s not like I regularly go to formal events." And you might very well be right. But there are times when a suit comes in handy, and you will thank yourself for thinking again. For any job interview, it helps to dress nicely, and a decent suit might give you an edge on the competition. It shows that you take things seriously, and, not to mention, you look damn fine. However, make sure your suit fits. There is nothing that looks quietly desperate quite like an 18-year-old walking around looking like a 7-year-old playing dress-up with his dad’s suit. It might have worked for David Byrne in "Stop Making Sense," but you’re not in Talking Heads. And don’t button the bottom button. Please.
2. A fishtail parka
Yes, it will rain, and there are some days when you don’t want to carry an umbrella. The fishtail parka was designed to keep soldiers warm and dry in the Korean War, and it still carries out that purpose today for students, workers, and everybody who wants to both stay dry and look good. Many fishtail parkas have deep pockets, which are great for carrying your phone, keys and other items with ease. You can pick one up new at many clothing stores, but cheaper used ones can also be found in many thrift stores. Just be sure to check the pockets.
3. A couple nice sweaters
Once it gets into the dead of fall, the key word here is layering. And what better to layer than a nice sweater or cardigan? A good sweater can keep you warm and comfortable, even in formal situations. Plus, they are available anywhere. From Forever 21 to JackThreads, everywhere you can find good menswear, you can find good sweaters. Just be sure to follow the proper care instructions. It is truly a sad sight to see a wonderful sweater destroyed by a washer or dryer.
But for everything you should pack, there are a few things you should leave in your closet back home.
1. Super-baggy jeans or cargo pants
Yes, they were popular back in the early 2000s. Yes, Eminem still wears them to this day. However, you are not Eminem, and it is 2016. All baggy jeans do is get in your way and make you look like a third grader. Now, I’m not saying that you have to wear skinny jeans (although I am admittedly a devotee of the ball crushers myself), but at least wear some slim straight-fit pants. It improves your silhouette, makes you less likely to close a door on your pants and in general makes getting around a little easier.
2. Sarcastic T-shirts
I know, I know, everybody wore them in high school. All your friends liked them. But you’re not 14 anymore, and as you get older, people don’t appreciate people who define themselves through what they hate as much anymore. Maybe your personality depended on the fact that you were sarcastic, but as you get older, it doesn’t go as far as it used to. It’s not clever, and it’s not as funny as you think it is to wear a shirt that says, “They Said I Could Be Anything, So I Became Sarcastic.” It’s just tired and juvenile. If you have to wear a graphic T-shirt, wear one about something that you like. You can actually make friends that way.
3. A fedora, trilby or top hat with casual clothing.
You might think you’re adding class to your outfit with this look, and you might think you’re not going to look like a neckbeard, but the sad thing is you will. Trust me. In high school, I wore a fedora because I wanted to look like Indiana Jones. And then I saw a photo of myself. Skip the fancy hat without a fancy outfit.
So, in the end, dress for both practicality and to look nice. Remember, if you have a crappy personality, a sarcastic T-shirt or hat won’t help. You’ll still have a crappy personality, but with a hat on top.
