5 Reasons You Should Stop Dressing Down And Start Dressing Up

5 Reasons You Should Stop Wearing Oversized Comfort T-Shirt And Leggings To Class

I am guilty of the classic look of leggings and tee-shirts, but it's time to break that habit.

Casey Wheat
Casey Wheat Feb 12, 2019
48
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I love the classic college look of tee-shirts and leggings as much as the next college girl. Barely putting on makeup and throwing my hair into a ponytail and going to class "looking homeless" is so easy. However, I don't like what it does with my mood. Often this outfit of choice makes me feel unproductive, sloppy and extremely unmotivated. More times then not, I try to put a little more care into my outfits, it usually involves leggings or during the winter a big sweater, but it also makes me feel like I tried a little harder, making me feel more productive and motivated. Getting ready for class isn't the enemy, it's actually a saving grace.

1. Its practice for the real world

If you get into the habit of getting ready for class, it won't be such a horrible and daunting task when it comes to the real world. When you get a job, you will have to be at the office at 8 a.m. looking presentable. If you have the practice and a routine of getting ready and not living your life in oversized tee-shirts, it won't seem so hard to transition into the real-world expectation of looking like a human. You will already be used to wearing real life clothes, wearing makeup all day and will know how much time it takes you to get ready. This really is premium preparation that they don't teach you in class.

2. You will be more productive

There is a ton of studies that back up this point. The clothes you wear will affect your performance and productivity. Research shows that by dressing in formal clothing makes one more likely to have abstract thinking. While I am not suggesting you wear a suit or heels to class every day, try looking up so more classy, nice casual outfits, such as a tee-shirt, jeans, and a cardigan. It can be as simple as a nice shirt and leggings. The point is by physically looking nice will make you feel more put together and then you will be more successful. If you are lacking ideas on cute clothes to wear to class, Pinterest has tons of ideas, and often they are just as comfortable as your oversized sweatshirt but way more presentable. There is a reason why they say "dress for success."

3. You never know who you will meet

Imagine this, you are walking through the quad, and see the most handsome guy you have ever seen. He is dreamy, and totally your type, he is looking sharp, you make eye contact and then he gives you a half smile, does a once over of your outfit of choice: sweats and a sweatshirt that doesn't match and has a coffee stain. He gets the impression that you don't value yourself or your education enough to look presentable and he moves on. You are feeling insecure about your choice of clothing and don't try to win him over. Now imagine this situation but instead, you are wearing a super cute outfit that you are totally feeling like a boss in, and you start talking to the cute guy. After graduation, you get married and live out your happy ever after.

OK, I admit, this is a total stretch of a situation and I am not promising that you getting dressed up is going to get you a boyfriend (I wish it happened that way too). More realistically, a future employer comes into class to give a guest lecture, are you really going to walk up to them looking sloppy and like you don't care to ask for an internship opportunity? Probably not. But if you look like an adult, you might be getting yourself a job.

4. It can be embarrassing

My freshman self once experienced the most embarrassing situation that made me never want to wear a sweatshirt to class again. I was in a huge lecture and the professor called on me by the sweatshirt I was wearing, I sat there wondering why no one was replying until someone next to me said he is talking to you. I looked down at my shirt and the professor replied, "Do you not know what is on your sweatshirt?" And I replied it wasn't mine, and the whole class started laughing. This situation has never happened when I paid attention to the clothes I put on my body before walking into the classroom. This can go on for a lot more stories about how the homeless look has led to some embarrassing moments.

5. You will be more confident

I don't know about you, but I get nervous talking in class, and this anxiety is escalated when I know I don't look my best. It might be shallow, but I would much rather talk in front of a group when I have makeup on and feel good about how I look. Also, when it comes to tests, you are going to feel a lot more confident in your answers when you know you look like a boss. Getting dressed up is such a small thing that can really help boost your confidence, and even make you more productive and successful, that there is no reason to leave the house in your sloppy sweatshirt and sweats look again.

Casey Wheat
Casey Wheat Feb 12, 2019
At Boise State University

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10 Horrible Fashion Trends From Our Middle School Days

What a time to be alive.
Laura Thompson
Laura Thompson May 23, 2016
18869
views

Being in middle school is one of the worst times of your life. You're awkward and you have no idea what to think about everything that is changing. I was cleaning out my closet the other day and found my old pair of Etnies and started reminiscing upon some of the worst trends that ever existed in the 2000s. I look at pictures of myself from middle school and cringe. I really just want to tell my past self to stop shopping at Claire's and Aeropostale. But since I did shop at those stores, I do have many embarrassing photos and fashion choices. Here's a list of popular (and unfortunate) trends from the 2000s.

1. Aeropostale

Buy all the graphic tees! I had at least one in every color. So many skin-tight tees were a part of my wardrobe. These t-shirts would always be spotted in MySpace profiles with people throwing a peace sign. Unfortunately, Aero has filed for bankruptcy, so we will be seeing less of them.

2. Rubber "Causes" Bracelets

You would see people walking around with these things up to their elbows! I had one for pretty much every type of cancer/disease you could imagine. Of course the yellow "Livestrong" bracelets were the bracelets that started the trend. (Thanks Lance for that let down.)

3. Silly Bandz

Yet again, a bracelet trend took over our middle school minds. I remember wearing so many of these wonderful "bandz" that the circulation in my arms were cut off. It was also the best thing to compare and trade silly bandz with your friends. I also scoffed at all of the knock-off brands. I only wanted the real deal.

4. Gauchos

Back when these pants were popular I had at least three pairs in a good variety of colors. I wore them so much, my mother could not do the laundry fast enough. I would compare these pants to yoga pants today because they were just as comfortable. It was always way cooler to wear a poncho with gauchos.

5. Massive Sequin Purses

Every girl had these. Mine was lime green. I thought that these purses were cute at the time, but really they are just atrocious. I'm not even sure why I was carrying a purse in middle school. I really didn't have that much stuff save for my phone, lipgloss, and gum.

6. Wearing Jeans with Dresses

Is that dress or skirt too short? No problem, just wear jeans under it! But really though, I have never understood this trend. Even when it was "popular" I thought that it was just plain ugly. I mean, how can you even look at this picture of Ashley Tisdale and not cringe?

7. Heelys

Hands-down the best trend of middle school. Some of my best memories are in Target Heely-ing around the entire store. I would still wear my Heelys today if I had them. No regrets about these shoes. Every adult that I've ever talked to about them, hated them. I guess that's why they were basically banned from everywhere.

8. Soffe Shorts

I had (have) a pair of these in every color. Having these made you cool. Quite often paired with rubber Old Navy flip-flops or some Rainbows, these cotton shorts were a staple of any middle school girl in the 2000s. My cheerleading really helped reinforce my love for these shorts. But thankfully it seems that "norts" have replaced these.

9. Nike Shox

Who actually cared if the spring-things made walking or running easier. These shoes just looked so cool. While writing this article, I was surprised to find out that Nike still makes these shoes. It was always the sporty-athletic people who wore these.

10. Popcorn Shirts

I never understood the madness that is the science behind these magically shrinking and expanding shirts. They are just straight up fascinating. The best ones were tie-dyed. I had one blue one and thought it was the greatest shirt ever.

Cover Image Credit: Cloud Front
Laura Thompson
Laura Thompson May 23, 2016
At Wingate University

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Met Gala 2019: This Year's Tricky Theme And Who I Think Nailed It

"Camp: Notes On Fashion"

margohuntley
margohuntley May 15, 2019
100
views

The Met Gala has a long-standing tradition of coming up with ornate themes which challenge guests and designers to use their creativity and interpretation in order to come up with an outfit that will impress and stand out to the public and medial eye. The Met Gala 2019 was no different in its elaborate natured theme based around Susan Song's influential 1964 essay titled "Notes on Camp."

The theme "Camp: Notes on Fashion" was not referring to summer camp, but rather to a state of a kind of exaggeration and visual boisterousness. The definition of "camp" in this context, like the theme, is open for interpretation but ultimately tends to come down to a form of visual aesthetic that is unexpected. To put it into the simplest terms that I can think of, it is not the opposite of "basic," but the opposite of a basic attempt to be unconventional. A true non-mainstream production, versus an attempt that turns out to be rather predictable.

Ornate, right? Themes like these are exactly what has challenged creatives and the top names and faces in pop culture since its first event in 1948. These themes are also what have critics and public fashion enthusiasts so excited to watch the event every year.

So with the conclusion of the 2019 Gala, who are critics talking about? Who nailed the theme and who misinterpreted? Of course, there is no set rubric for evaluation, but here are some of the outfits that seem to be standing out.

1. Lady Gaga

Undoubtedly if you have been following the chatter the past few days, you have heard much talk about Lady Gaga and her quadruple outfit change on the carpet - yes you heard that right, she gave not one look but FOUR. Another thing that has critiques impressed with her understanding of the theme is that she did not only show up to the event in her camp outfit, but actually showed up to the airport already in character and wearing it earlier that morning.

2. Ezra Miller

To appreciate someone who tried something very different, I decided to take a look at Ezra Miller. What stood out to me and so many others is that rather than interpreting the theme and choosing to go as big as possible like so many, piling on yards of fabric, electrics, and other materials, Ezra's outfit itself was actually fairly simple. He showed up in a black and white pin-striped suit with a jeweled corset and flowing cape.

The shocking element of his fit was his makeup which displayed an illusion of five extra, very realistic eyes upon his face. Additionally, he carried a skin toned mask which could be used to cover and hide the additional eyes. This fairy-tale like costume seemed to carry a message relating to the conciliation of a peculiar identity. A somewhat common message portrayed in a very powerful, clever and unusual way.

3. Billy Porter

I think it is only fair to mention Billy Porter if we are going to talk most attention-catching Met Gala 2019 performances. With what was undoubtedly one of the most if not THE grandest entrance, he came in atop a golden litter carried by six men dressed accordingly to his theme of choice which was inspired by the Egyptian Sun God, Cleopatra. His outfit of almost pure golden material displayed a brilliant set of wings upon the extension of his arms and a full crown-like headpiece.

Recap

Overall, this year's display at the Gala was one of the most astonishing yet. People seemed to go bigger and bolder than ever before, of course, some of that likely had to do with the theme. For this reason, it is very difficult to pick any "bests" and it is really up to each individual person to decide which outfits spoke to them personally the most. If you didn't watch the event already, I encourage further exploration at the very least to see some of these brilliant works of couture art.

margohuntley
margohuntley May 15, 2019
At Arizona State University

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