College Fashion Discussion

I've been reading the forums and getting ideas for quite a while now, but I noticed that a lot of fashions aren't accessible for college students who get by on ramen and water.

Generally it's my policy to look slightly better than anybody else, but not so much such that I stick out or anything. A subtle chicness if you will.

A typical day generally looks like:

• No Design Fitted Tee (BR, Gap)
  
• Random Blue Jeans (R&R, TR, etc.)
  
• Black Etnies

If I'm dressing for a date or something, I usually try to dress better, but still not too stuffily. That usually ends up with me wearing a fitted black button down, or just throwing an H&M overcoat on top of a shirt.

I was wondering whether anybody has any suggestions as to how I can expand my wardrobe. I'm specifically looking for affordable dress shoes which will go with jeans, and casual button downs which aren't just the standard black.

Also, what do you folks do about shorts? I feel like khaki cargo type shorts were never fashionable, and the quicksilver plaid type is questionable.

If it helps, I'm 5'7, asian, and have a fairly slender build.

How much do you want to spend? What aesthetic are you after?

I'm not exactly THAT poor, but I'd rather not spend over 40 dollars for a shirt, and say 100 dollars for a pair of shoes. If it will complement my wardrobe well, I don't mind making investments though.

I'm basically going for a very casual, yet more refined street look. Nothing too classy or old fashioned.

Its hard to find a nice shirt under $100, let alone shoes.

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...hlight=college

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...hlight=college

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...hlight=college

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...hlight=college

Thanks for the links APK, I went digging and apparently I fail at effectively using the search function. I'll do some more browsing around.

Sorry if this makes me sound completely ignorant, but what should I expect to pay for a low end pair of dress shoes? I know I only spent like 120 on a pair of Bostonians, but those were just concert shoes.

if you get by on ramen how do you afford tr and r&r?

Originally Posted by fireshower

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Thanks for the links APK, I went digging and apparently I fail at effectively using the search function. I'll do some more browsing around.

Sorry if this makes me sound completely ignorant, but what should I expect to pay for a low end pair of dress shoes? I know I only spent like 120 on a pair of Bostonians, but those were just concert shoes.

Most people consider Allen Edmonds low end dress shoes and those run from $250+ but can be had cheaper on eBay. I suggest you start thrifting.

Ebay is probably a good place to look. I'm planning on buying a pair of vintage Florsheim wingtips soon.


also...special flower

Originally Posted by Jekyll

Click to expand...

Ebay is probably a good place to look. I'm planning on buying a pair of vintage Florsheim wingtips soon.


also...special flower

+1
The other day I got some vintage Florsheim longwings off ebay for $10

hey check out the B&S forums for shoes. I bought a pair of vintage florshiem longboats for $22 and they get a good amount of wear.

Originally Posted by Biscotti

Click to expand...

Its hard to find a nice shirt under $100, let alone shoes.
Bollocks!!!!!!. Get on Ebay. You'll find plenty of dress shirts and shoes from established European brands for under a $100. If you have a sharp eye you can find what you want on that kind of budget, also better quality than H&M and similar crapola.

Originally Posted by fireshower

Click to expand...

I've been reading the forums and getting ideas for quite a while now, but I noticed that a lot of fashions aren't accessible for college students who get by on ramen and water.

Generally it's my policy to look slightly better than anybody else, but not so much such that I stick out or anything. A subtle chicness if you will.

A typical day generally looks like:

• No Design Fitted Tee (BR, Gap)
  
• Random Blue Jeans (R&R, TR, etc.)
  
• Black Etnies

If I'm dressing for a date or something, I usually try to dress better, but still not too stuffily. That usually ends up with me wearing a fitted black button down, or just throwing an H&M overcoat on top of a shirt.

I was wondering whether anybody has any suggestions as to how I can expand my wardrobe. I'm specifically looking for affordable dress shoes which will go with jeans, and casual button downs which aren't just the standard black.

Also, what do you folks do about shorts? I feel like khaki cargo type shorts were never fashionable, and the quicksilver plaid type is questionable.

If it helps, I'm 5'7, asian, and have a fairly slender build.

you should try thrift shopping honestly

Thrifting is the stand-by answer to threads of this nature, but your mileage may vary. There are three thrift shops in my city and they're all barren. I'd have trouble plucking a shirt that would be presentable even with tailoring. Doesn't mean he shouldn't check out what his area has to offer. There's just a solid chance he'll be disappointed.

The best thing he can do is rest assured that so long as he's wearing something that fits well and is put together with some thought, he'll instantly stand out in the typical college crowd. It's a sea of light washed denim, striped polo shirts, and cheap A&E jewelry and hats.

It's really easy to dress well at uni/college because everyone there looks homeless to begin with. My uni wardrobe looks like this: - 2x pairs of selvage jeans (1 black, 1 indigo) - more to come - Short sleeve button downs - various colours and styles, all tapered fit. Some solid colours, others with vertical stripes, a couple with patterns. - Long sleeve button downs - generally makes me look a bit formal for uni, but I still wear them a lot with the sleeves rolled. Mostly they're solid colours with details in the fabric or plaid/tartan type patterns. A couple of striped ones also. - Polos - mostly PRL because PRL Custom fit fits me well (big shoulders, tapering to small waist). Hate the pony though. I try not to go too over the top with polos, usually a solid colour with details on the colar/hem/sleeves. I do have a few 'not overly pretentious' striped ones. NO T-shirts. I know, it's weird. Something I'm working on. I just feel I look like the masses in a T-shirt. Nothing special or different. Shoes: - White canvas sneakers - Red/Gold funky canvas sneakers - Nike basketball shoes in red/blue/grey - Desert boots - Lacoste sneakers in green and white with striped laces - some slightly more classy distressed brown leather boots If it gets cold (rare where I live - it's impossible enough wearing jeans all year) I throw on a sweater (brown, black, green or white/black stripe) or wear an all white Lacoste hoodie. Huge wardrobe, I know. I buy EVERYTHING at sales. The big department stores have some real bonanzas around here during June/July. Picked up a swag of $150 shirts for $30 the other week. Basically jeans + any decent shirt + canvas sneakers = college wear. It's actually a weird topic to start a thread on because, as evidenced by my post, anything works...