If you're a girl, odds are you have sent and received the "Are we dressing cute or no?" text at least a thousand times. That usually translates to: "Should I put on real clothes or can I dress like a really well-financed hobo?" What determines whether or not we should be dressing cute? While I agree that it isn't necessary to look our absolute best 100 percent of the time, I do think it's time to eliminate the recent college dress code norms.

The most frequent outfit I see of college-age girls is the "srat" uniform or dressing "like a hobo" which includes an oversized T-shirt (usually repping Southern Marsh, Ralph Lauren or Greek life), Nike shorts or leggings, complete with tall socks and sneakers, Chaco's or Birkenstocks.

I understand the uniform; I really do. It's comfortable. It's easy. It appears effortless.

But what would happen if we decided to spend an extra five minutes in the morning picking out a decent outfit?

Whoa. Revolutionary, I know. But stay with me.

It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to be anything designer. It doesn't even have to be trendy.

Dressing cute doesn't have to mean wearing a dress or looking like you stepped out of a magazine. Basically when I think of "dressing cute," I think of at least putting effort and thought into what you're wearing that day. It can mean casual clothes. It can mean jeans and a V-neck. Black skinnies and your favorite band tee. It can mean anything that reflects your personal style and not like you just rolled out of bed.

Dressing cute can take a little time, some thought and effort, but it doesn't have to take a lot of money. Clothes are expensive, and we're all broke college kids... I get it. It's still possible to be cute on a budget! Thrift stores. Clearance. Secondhand shops. With smart planning, you can be thrifty and cute.

Unfortunately, our personalities are not the first thing people see about us. Not saying we should become people-pleasers or that looks are the most important qualities about us, but first impressions mean a lot. Use your clothes to put your best foot forward. Why not let your clothes be a representation of who you are? Ultimately, respect is earned through your actions, but you can start off well when you're dressed for respect.

Getting up and getting dressed for the day can help you feel better about yourself. Just like getting dressed up for a date or for prom can make a girl feel like a million bucks, getting dressed for the day can imitate that feeling. When you're not just wearing a T-shirt and athletic shorts, you're more apt to get out of the house, and the temptation to stay in bed all day is less likely. The fear of wasting a good outfit pushes you to be social. It's a self-esteem booster when you feel pretty and ready to take on the day. Even if nothing else is going your way, at least your outfit is on point.

There are days when you've been up late studying or you're sick when the hobo look is definitely acceptable. I totally get that.

There are also people that feel most comfortable with themselves in a more casual look. That's also okay. In no way do I suggest judging anyone on what they wear. It's a free nation, and it's your decision on what to wear.

This is just coming from someone who appreciates clothes and style. I appreciate seeing people express themselves with their own personal style; whether that's boho chic, rocker chic, or anything in between. There is no dress code in college... So stop acting like there is one. Use your clothing choices to be unique and to stand out among the crowd.

"Dressing cute" can be a daily thing. Nothing says there has to be a special occasion to dress cute! Take pride in yourself and how you look. Let's make "dressing cute" the new norm, so that the alternative is not even an option.