When going to college, it’s inevitable that some things you wear may not always be the most fashionable, whether it’s because you have an early class or because you’re a clueless freshman just trying to figure it out as you go along. Being on a college campus also allows for unique fashion trends to emerge solely because the campus becomes its own microcosm completely separate from the rest of society. However, just because it is a campus trend does not make it ok. If anything, some of the most popular items on campus are some of the biggest fashion clichés out there. Below is a compilation of what many have come to form as the deadliest seven sins of campus fashion.
1. Cargo Shorts
Literally the biggest fashion sin for incoming freshmen boys. Cargo shorts will hold all of your things, which is good because while they do that, you can worry more about making friends. Just because you wore them in the seventh grade does not mean they are still socially acceptable. Ditch the cargos for a pair of Admiral’s or USA Shorts offered by Betabrand. You can still make waves on the campus with your short style, but this way you’ll be making the waves that aren’t frowned upon by the majority of campus and the world in general.
2. Jean Skirts
Just because you saw some social media glamazon wear it does not mean it’s ok. That’s a trend that needs to stay in the early 2000’s, even as other fashion trends come back. As you search for ways to make your outfit more hipster and try to bring back pieces from eras past, leave that one behind. Little is less flattering than a skirt that constricts you and hugs you in all the wrong ways, which if we’re being honest is exactly what jean skirts accomplish. If you don’t feel like wearing pants, instead of opting to wear a jean skirt, try a dress or any other type of skirt available.
3. Socks & Sandals/ Boatshoes/ Watershoes
Even if we dress this up and have brand name socks and high end boat shoes or the classic slide sandals, this look still doesn’t work. Sandals are meant to be slip-on shoes. There is no reason to add socks into the equation. Even if you’re running late for class, wouldn’t it be better to just ditch the socks and only wear the sandals? (To clarify: the answer is yes.) If you’re trying to look like your dad (I’m not even going to get into why the dad bod is terrible right now), then socks and sandals accomplishes this. But if you’re trying to live in the now and dress like the college student you are, this is not the way to do it. Wearing popular brand name boat shoes does not make this trend better, and wearing rubber water clogs with holes in them (shoes who shall not be named) in public is really never acceptable.
4. Bucket Hats
We get so wrapped up in college trends, we sometimes forget to see what’s in front of our own eyes. Which is why I would like to raise the question, when did bucket hats become socially acceptable? Just because SchoolBoyQ wears them does not mean you have to, and quite honestly you shouldn’t. Yes, old people can really rock a bucket hat because I’ll admit it’s adorable, but don’t forget that you aren’t 75. And even at the heart of all things bucket hat, we should at least recognize that bucket hats hide your eyes, and your shame. There are far better ways to hide your bed head.
5. Your Old High School Sweatpants
I get it, they’re old and comfy but they’re also gross looking. Yes, we know that they’ve been through the wash about 200 times in the last year. If you’re trying to pull off the whole “I woke up like this” look, trust us, we can tell. These scream a mixture of “I’m not trying at all and want you to know” and “I peaked playing high school football”. We can’t ditch fashion completely for comfort, so instead, try a pair of Dress Pants Sweatpants offered by Betabrand. These are the literal upgrade of your high school sweatpants, and best yet- no one will even know that you’re wearing sweatpants.
6. Rugged Strap Sandals/Hiking Sandals
Ok, so they’re a big deal on many college campuses, but once again that does not mean it’s ok. Just because they are name brand also does not make them alright. Listen, you should have learned this long ago, but just because it's brand name doesn't make it socially acceptable. They were created for hiking and last I checked, most college campuses do not require you to hike from class to class. They’re expensive and for what purpose- another pair of sandals? There are so many fashionable sandals out there. Experimenting with these monstrosities does not need to happen.
7. Your Wallet and Keys on a Lanyard
Let us not forget about the biggest freshman move in the book; the lanyard. While you want to rep your new school, sporting a lanyard is not the way. If you want a neon sign labeling you as a freshman, you’ve found it. And no, having a bling lanyard does not make it fashionable. If you’re worried about losing your keys or wallet, a lanyard will not likely fix this, and even if it does, at what cost? Instead of wearing your keys, get a key ring and learn through trial how to not lose them, as all adults must. You are in college to learn after all, so recognize your fashion sins and grow into the well dressed adult you are meant to be.