Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Cal Poly business major Gabi Trapani is satisfied that she is ready for class in her designer boots, fashionable sundress, and Louis Vuitton bag in tow. In fact, while not pursuing a career in fashion, she is at her most comfortable when dressed in a stylish outfit, with her hair and make up fully done. She said it is more professional when her outfit reflects a true businesswoman’s attire.

Simultaneously, across Cal Poly’s campus, animal science major Gabi Hernandez pulls on her well-worn cowboy boots, sparkly jeans, and ragged Cal Poly t-shirt. To say the least, her style is the complete antithesis to Trapani’s lavish attire.

“It’s all about wearing what you feel the most comfortable in. When I dress up, I am better able to focus in class, because my outfit reflects the goals I am trying to attain in my life. On the few days where I look unkempt, I feel sluggish; like the only thing I’m striving for is to go back to bed,” said Trapani.

At first glance, the style and dress on most college campuses seems a sea of sweatpants, flip-flops, and t-shirts. But a closer look at how students dress demonstrates the varied styles linked to what a student studies.

While dressing casual may be the trend in journalism and theater, students who call finance their major often look like they are dressed for success, even on a Monday morning. Students in business colleges and agricultural colleges are the most dramatically opposed in terms of style.

Differences in majors and future professions cause people to have diverse styles when it comes to clothing and fashion. Clothing is more than fabric; rather, it is a reflection of the inner self.

I believe clothing tells a lot about a person’s hobbies, status, and interests. If you ride horses, you might walk around in cowboy boots everyday. If you are wealthy, you will be wearing designer clothing. And if you are interested in sports, you might don on your favorite team’s jersey or wear running shoes in hopes of hitting the gym later.

Practicality has a big influence on some people’s style. You have to choose whether you value comfort, style, or being economical; and what you value most says a lot about yourself.

Dairy Science major in the College of Agriculture, Mark Weststbyn, views his style as “practical.” “I wear cowboy boots on a normal basis. I prefer them, mostly because they are comfortable, but I also have labs that require closed toed shoes and ones that are sturdy enough to withstand manure,” said Weststbyn.

Apart from the cowboy boots and sparkly jeans that are an apparent trend in agriculture, business students prefer to dress up for class. Business is a career where you have to sell others on your competence and professionalism, said Jimmy Castles, a business major at Cal Poly.

“We dress up for class in order to prepare ourselves for our future professions. If you don’t look the part and posses a certain decorum, people won’t hire you, let alone invest in your start-up company,” said Castles.

Business students see their attire as a reflection of their professionalism. So ultimately, some do see clothing as a “uniform,” rather than thoroughly enjoying to meticulously pick out their outfits every morning.

Clothing has the ability to show you things about a person with one glance. Most people do not get to “do-over” the first impression they make of you.