Fashion is an important part of our lives as college students. It allows us to express ourselves and show our own sense of style. However, there is one time of the semester when fashion is the least of our concerns. On our list of priorities during this time of the year fashion falls at the very bottom, right below showering and sleeping (unfortunately). If you’re sitting in the library right now, like me, you probably know exactly what I am talking about. Yes, you’re right, I am talking about the dreaded finals week. The week from hell. The week where sleeping only extends to sporadic naps throughout the week. The week where no one judges you for wearing the same sweatpants three days in a row, because there is a good chance you haven’t gone to your dorm within those three days to change. It’s the time of the year when you wake up in the morning and the question, “What should I wear?” doesn’t ever cross your mind; because at the end of the day looking like you just rolled out of bed is the top “Finals Fashion Trend.”

Regardless of the fact that we spend most of the hours our days this week staring at our laptop screens, finals week still has some sort of social aspect to it; considering the entire student body is trapped together inside a five-story building filled with books for over 200 hours straight. The difference between the social aspect of finals week versus any other week is that rather than getting drunk at the bars with your friends and the guy you’ve had your eye on for weeks, you’re stuck spending time with them in the library, making memories over dunks runs and the delirious moments at 3 a.m. when you find yourself lying on the floor on the verge of losing your mental sanity. But despite the fact that you’re probably going to see your ex, your ex-ex and the guy you’re currently dating during the time span of finals week, you aren’t going to have the chance to impress them with your looks and new outfit. Looking like a homeless person is inevitable and you should just embrace it.

I am approaching the fifth finals week of my college career. Throughout my college years, I have noticed that even though real fashion ceases to exist during finals week, there are still common clothing trends seen through the isles of the library. Here is a look into the trends of “Finals Fashion.”

(All photos shown are real outfits worn by real college students during finals week)

Baggy Sweatsuits:

A baggy sweatsuit is the ultimate finals comfort outfit, for guys and girls. No part of a baggy sweatsuit is tight, or flattering for that matter, which makes them ideal for a long day in the library. They are soft, cozy and allow you to get away without wearing a real bra for the day. Wear a red sweatshirt with some blue sweatpants (as seen below). Or if you’re like me and never wear color, go with an all black sweatsuit; its appropriate considering finals is the week of us mourning the loss of our GPA’s. If black isn’t your color, you can never go wrong with a finals week grout-fit.

Scrunchie Buns/Ponytails:

Unlike nights out during the semester, finals week is not a time where girls tend to let their hair down. Ponytail and bun season is in full swing during finals and this years up-do trend is scrunchies. Although some people try to be trendy while using this trend that’s being reincarnated from the 80’s, scrunchies are actually a very practical finals trend. They don’t tug at your hair or hurt your scalp like most hair ties do, and when the time comes to let your hair down for a bit, scrunchies help resist against the crease other hair ties leave in your hair.

Glasses:

Between staying up for days on end, staring at a textbook for 10 hours in a row, as well as constantly rubbing your tired eyes after waking up from an unexpected power nap you took on the desk of your library cubby; it’s safe to say that wearing contacts during finals week is not an ideal situation (not that I have any personal experience in the matter). So ditch the contacts and look like a nerd for the week, I am sure your eyes will appreciate the break.

Work-Out Clothes:

Workout clothes seem to be a popular outfit choice during finals. Yes some people wear workout clothes just to be comfortable, but others wear them with the intent of actually working out (I am not one of those people). With the high levels of stress that finals bring upon us, working out is a great way to relax in-between study sessions, as well as the most valid excuse to procrastinate studying. So go ahead and wear your workout clothes to the library, it might inspire you to actually workout.

Grandpa Sweaters & Leggings:

I might be the only person who considers this a finals trend based on the fact that all I wear during finals week is oversized grandpa sweaters from savers, leggings and Christmas fuzzy socks under my boots. If you haven’t taken part in this trend…do it. It’s cheap, it’s comfortable and it keeps you warm through the fluctuating temperatures of the library. Plus, no one notices if you wear the same leggings everyday…because lets face it, during finals a lot of us do.

Uggs:

They’re called Uggs for a reason. It’s because they are unmistakably ugly (the moccasins are a little less ugly though). But ugly is almost a fashion requirement during finals. The uglier the outfit, the more comfortable it most likely is. Uggs are proof of that theory, and the best part is that Uggs allow you to wear slippers out in public and still have your outfit be considered socially acceptable. So throw a pair of Uggs onto any of your finals ensembles and consider yourself trendy…for the only time Uggs are actually trendy.

Feetie Pajamas:

The ultimate “It’s finals so I don’t give a sh*t about how I look" outfit; a snugglie and warm pair of feetie pajamas. In any other world, feetie pajamas in public on someone over the age of 4 is usually frowned upon. But in college, during finals, when we haven’t slept in four days and have resorted to all our meals consisting of coffee and pretzels; feetie pajamas are a great outfit option. Having recently worn a pair of feetie pajamas to a frat party, I can vouch for the fact that they are by far a foolproof comfort outfit. Although you’re going to get some weird looks for wearing them in public as a 20-something-year-old, for every single person who judges you, there will be one person who will respect and envy your brilliant outfit choice.

Shout out to my friends (seen throughout the article) who have mastered the trends of finals fashion:

Paige Nichols, Taylor Muthersbaugh, Jacqueline Devine, Jordan Rodrigue, Jordan Ginsberg, Anna Mainelli, Molly O'Hare & Megan Cassar