Fashion Forward

Yesterday I headed out for my night class. As I strolled across campus, I came across one of the weirdest sartorial moments I have witnessed during my time at Boston College. I saw a bro all decked out in typical bro attire, right down to the perfect height mid-calf socks. This is something that is so familiar on this campus, that it no longer warrants any notice at all. But something was off—the guy was carrying a leather briefcase. Really? I don’t think I have ever seen a stranger juxtaposition. A t-shirt and backwards hat don’t really scream “business professional” to me. What could he be doing? I was so confused.

But really, I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess. How many of us have seen people out partying one night, and buttoned up in a suit the next day for a CSOM event? One moment they are raging frat (or so they wish) bros, and the next they are substituting sports talk with words like “resume,” “cover letter,” and “networking.” Nothing I’d care to talk about, that’s for sure. They travel in packs across campus, looking like a herd of young up-and-coming analysts or something, perfectly hiding their hangovers.

College is such a strange between-time in our lives. Yes, I often feel like I just want to throw on a BC sweatshirt and call it a day, but there are other days when I feel more grown up and professional. Should we be criticized for being one person by day, and a totally different one by night? We are young, so why not I guess. Pretty soon, throwing on yoga pants and calling it an outfit for the day won’t be in the realm of possibility for most of us. Business casual, blazers, and button downs will become our uniforms.

So if we choose to present ourselves professionally day-to-day, even if we are only heading to Lower Campus, it shouldn’t be looked down upon. I personally like dressing up for class. It distinguishes you externally, and changes the way you feel about yourself. Heading to the library in a blazer makes me feel like I am ready to get down to business, while sweatpants leave me ready to nap.

So now that everyone’s summer internships are over, it’s time to transition these pieces into your everyday wardrobe. I don’t know about you, but clothing is too expensive for me to not find multiple ways to wear each item I own. Silk blouses that were tucked into pencil skirts all summer can be freed from their waistband constraints and paired with colored jeans for a casual, yet pulled together classroom look. Not only will you look great, but you will also be prepared for whatever the day may throw your way.

Professors will undoubtedly take you more seriously than your pj-clad classmates if you need to ask for a favor. Now those dressier pants and skirts that seem silly outside the office can also be repurposed for your school wardrobe. Pairing something structured and business-like with an unusual fabric complement is sure to be eye-catching. Denim and tweed, floral prints and khaki-colored skirts, or loose fitting tissue thin tees over a pencil skirt are all sure to be winning combinations.

As the weather changes and gets weirder and weirder, and you never know whether it will be freezing or burning up outside, using that blazer you bought for your internship over a sundress is the perfect combination. Add a scarf on chillier mornings to keep the look stylish and not too overdone. This way, you can navigate the ridiculously unpredictable temperatures of Gasson Hall in style.

This fall, pants for women are on the rise, as evidenced throughout every fall fashion magazine currently on the stands, making it the perfect time to channel your inner businesswoman. Keep things feminine despite the masculine silhouette of a pant, paired with metallic statement jewelry that is dominating the runways, by swiping on a coat of cranberry colored lipstick, the hottest hue this fall by far. No one said business casual, even to class, had to be ugly.

A polished look just screams New England in the fall. Hopefully cooler weather starts to come and allow the exposure of my sweater collection. And also, hopefully the cooler weather will ban the bizarre shorts and briefcase pairings that are apparently all the rage on campus at this moment in time. An element of surprise, and a good mixing in an outfit is good, but I’d go so far to say that lax wear with a business edge is not a trend that is going to be catching on any time soon—I hope. Regardless, dare to work some more professional pieces into your daily wardrobe to ensure a powerful state of mind and a successful semester ahead.