The comfortable OOTD culture on college campuses has taken a turn for the sloppy, let’s get real. Everyone has one or two days a week where they are completely loaded with classes, meetings, homework, clubs and every other activity that a college student my participate in. But when did our outfit choices start to reflect our hectic lives? There are so many reasons why getting ready and looking ready in the morning is important.

In the “real world,” where we will have real jobs, showing up in our favorite leggings or sweatpants is not going to cut it. Our generation has gotten so comfortable with dressing like we are going to take a nap that these looks have crept into our OOTDs and have walked out the door with us. The whole world can see this! Understandably, not all students care about what they wear to class now, but caring now will better prepare you for the workforce that we’ll soon be entering. It’s better to break these bad habits now! Also, you never know who you may run into. A career fair could pop up, which is filled with recruiters, or you might run into a potential internship employer in a coffee shop. Looking presentable is a huge part of first impressions, and so far, college students everywhere are leaving iffy ones.

Dressing well for class has also been shown to increase focus and awareness in class. A simple step in your morning can enhance your entire day! By getting dressed like you have somewhere to be (because you do), your performance and alertness increases for the better. When you look good, you feel good. People can recognize when you’re experiencing different moods, but the OOTD epidemic that has hindered campuses everywhere just screams blah. Feeling like you put effort into what you are wearing will make you feel good, which other people will recognize. You could be the reason that someone smiles today, just because you made a decision to spend five extra minutes getting dressed.

Everyone dresses up when they have a party to go to, or to a nice dinner, but what about every other day? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that we all have to wear dresses and suits to class, but at least we should look like we opened our eyes before leaving the house. Of course, comfy days are acceptable as well, but I’m writing this article because it has become more than an every-now-and-then thing. It is to the point that I can sit in a 300-person lecture hall and find it easier to point out those that made an effort to look presentable that day. Most of the time it’s a sea of Patagonia pullovers, leggings/sweatpants, sneakers and a puffer jacket. We can do better than this, guys!

As future contributing members of society, we need to practice looking like it (with the allotted time of cozy days). The goal of this PSA is not to shame the comfort seekers, but to raise awareness that as college students preparing for bigger and better things, our closets would like to help us get there.