Are you wondering what to wear to college? As a recent college graduate, I’ve spent a lot of time in and around school and have some helpful tips to share.
When I first started college, I found it hard to find information about what guys should wear to college and university, especially from the point of view of a male student.
How to Dress In College for Guys
In most colleges and universities, students are free to choose what they want to wear. Students tend to dress casually since there are no strict dress codes. Wearing jeans, joggers, sweatpants, t-shirts and sweatshirts are acceptable for everyday.
In this post I share what to wear in college for guys, wardrobe essentials, what to avoid wearing, when to dress nicer and some easy tips on how to improve your look.
What to Wear to College for Guys
In college, you can really wear whatever you would like most of the time. If you prefer to be comfortable, there’s nothing wrong with showing up in sweatpants and a hoodie. If you would rather dress up, you can wear a nice shirt and jeans.
The whole point of college is to learn, so whatever clothing makes it easier for you to attend class is what you should wear. Keep in mind some classrooms will be cooler while others will be warmer, so dress accordingly.
Depending on the program you’re in, some classes may have a dress code for safety reasons. For example you may need to wear a lab coat and closed toe in certain science classes.
You’ll be informed if there’s a dress code or uniform early in the semester, so you’il have time to pick up the proper clothing if necessary.
Related: 75 Side Hustles For College Students & Ways To Make Money
Wardrobe Essentials
Shirts
Plain shirts and retro looking graphic tees are trending right now and are good wardrobe essentials for guys.
Purchasing a pack of 6 or 12 white t-shirts off Amazon is a great base for any of your outfits. Also, a plain t-shirt variety pack from H&M with a few different colours will add some diversity to your wardrobe.
If you want to add some more personality to your outfit, wearing a graphic t-shirt is perfect. A shirt with your favourite rapper, TV show or movie that you like will look cool.
Sweaters and Crewnecks
Zip-up sweaters are perfect for cooler days and go great with a plain white t-shirt. Layering your outfit is a really nice way to elevate your look.
If you like being warm and comfortable in class, a nice hoodie is a must-have wardrobe item for any college guy. Choose a stylish hoodie that you can wear to class, around campus and to parties.
Plain hoodies are in style, so don’t feel the need to have a design each one. If you prefer a sweater that is less plain looking, retro sweaters are in style. So, if there’s a cool graphic that you like, feel free to get it.
If you want to represent your college or university, wearing some school merchandise will show school spirit and will look cool. Around campus, many students will be repping their college. A sweater or crewneck with your university name on is stylish.
For skinny guys, crewnecks are great because they make you look a little bigger. Growing up, I was always a smaller guy so wearing crewnecks would make my arms and shoulders look better. Graphic crewnecks and plain crewnecks are some tops that are in style.
Pants
Knowing which pants to get for college can be tricky. Having a few pairs of sweatpants and joggers, plus one or two pairs of jeans should get you through the semester.
If you prefer wearing jeans over sweatpants and joggers, then picking up a few extra pairs of jeans will come in handy.
Black and grey sweatpants are everyday wardrobe essentials that you must have for college. Personally, I wore black or grey sweatpants most days when I was in college. Finding a pair that fit nicely will make you look stylish while being comfortable.
When you want to look a bit more presentable, casual some joggers will do the job. I like joggers for school because they’re comfortable and they look good. Pick up some black joggers, as well as one other color, if you plan on wearing them at school.
***It’s a good idea to have at least one pair of jeans. There are some days where you will have to give a presentation at school and you’ll want to dress up a bit more, and jeans are a good base for your outfit.
Make sure to have a pair of black and blue jeans as these colors go with everything. Choosing the fit of your jeans is entirely up to you. Lately, simple straight fitting jeans have started to come back in style. Slim or skinny jeans are also in style so it comes down to personal preference.
Shoes
For students, having a pair of white shoes, black shoes and dress shoes are must have wardrobe essential for college.
White sneakers are great as they go with almost any outfit. Having a versatile sneaker that you can wear to class, parties and around campus is super important. Don’t forget to keep your white shoes clean so avoid wearing them on rainy days!
Black sneakers or running shoes are amazing because they will also go with almost every outfit. If you’re athletic and plan on working out or playing sports, some black running shoes is the move for you.
If you want flexibility in your wardrobe, having a pair of black sneakers will be perfect. Whether you want to use them as beater shoes or you don’t want to ruin your white shoes partying black sneakers are a wardrobe essential.
Having one pair of dress shoes for school events and presentations will be useful. There will be times where you will want to look sharp and dress shoes will be a better look than sneakers.
Accessories: Jewelry, Watches, Sunglasses
Bracelets, rings and chains will be good accessories to elevate your look. Having these in your wardrobe will be useful for parties and other times where you want to look a little better.
For sunny days, sunglasses will come in handy and will add to your look. I love my Ray Bans and I always keep them in the back pocket of my bag for those beautiful days.
A watch or smart watch will add to your outfit. No matter what you’re wearing adding a watch will instantly improve it. Even if you’re wearing sweatpants and a crew neck, wearing a silver or gold watch give the impression that your outfit is more expensive.
Masks
Depending on where you live, you may be required to wear a mask around campus and lectures. If you want to show your own style, a mask that represents your favourite brand or sports team will be a cool accessories to add to your outfit.
Satchels and Shoulder Bags
Satchels and shoulder bags are a pretty cool fashion accessory that will make you look super trendy. I understand that a lot of guys will find them feminine but they’re actually super convenient.
If you want to really elevate your look, a shoulder bag is a great way to do it.
What to Avoid Wearing to College for Guys
Avoid wearing clothing that is offensive or contains nudity as it can look unprofessional and some schools will not tolerate it. If you have to ask yourself if your clothes are considered offensive, then just do your best to avoid wearing these items so you don’t start any problems.
I do not recommend wearing pyjamas to school. We all love our pyjamas but it will make you look really sloppy. Wearing pyjamas will also make it a lot easier to sleep during lectures so it’s better to just wear some proper clothing.
Do your best to wear clean clothing. If your clothes smells or is stained it is better to wear something different. Wearing some clean clothes will make you look a lot better.
If your clothing smells bad, then you should definitely not wear it to class. Not only will it be awful for the other students around you but it will make you seem really careless. It’s better to have some clean clothing so you can avoid this happening to you.
Remember, the the way you look reflects who you are. If you put effort into the way you look, other students and professors will think more highly of you.
When to Dress Nicer in College
There will be some occasions where you will be required to dress a little nicer. I recommend having at least a couple of outfits that you can wear from time to time when you have to dress up.
For presentations although you might not always be required I would suggest wearing a nicer outfit. Some jeans and a collared shirt with some clean shoes will do the job or dressing business casual. Dressing up for presentations will give your professor the perception that you care about doing well in their class.
At times, you will either want or be required to attend events on campus. Having a nicer outfit for those occasions would be a really good idea. Dressing nicely will make you stand out and look better compared to the students who put no thought into their outfits. Dressing nicely is something that’s not super hard to do and can go a long way.
Related: How to Dress for Presentations – The Ultimate Guide for Men
Tips to Improve Your Look
Good Hygiene
Good hygiene is something that will instantly make you look a lot better. Showering daily, wearing deodorant, washing your face regularly, keeping your hair done and brushing your teeth will improve how your look and feel.
Having good hygiene doesn’t cost a lot of money and will really improve your appearance more than anything else.
Clothes that Fit
Having some clothes that fit well will make you look a lot better. Quite often I see people wearing clothes that are either too small or too big. If you get some clothes that fit you nicely, you will look really sharp.
Find the look you want to go for and then go shopping. When looking for clothes, try it on to make sure it fits properly before purchasing it. Often times, clothing on mannequins will look a lot different than when you try it on.
Hairstyles
Getting a haircut about once a month will keep you looking your best Whether your hair is short or long, getting your hair trimmed will make you look a lot better.
Going to the Gym
A lot of colleges will have a gym that you can use for free or at an affordable price. I recommend working out at the gym, even if it’s for 30 minutes a day. Lifting some weights and staying in shape will greatly improve your look.
Going to the gym will improve your confidence – which brings me to my next point.
Confidence is key. If you’re confident in your style, it will greatly improve your look. Walking around school knowing that you look good will make you feel good. People can sense when somebody is confident so follow the other points mentioned above and be confident in your look!
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting college I would like to wish you luck. Some of my best memories were made in college so make the most out of it! I hope these tips help you out. Have a great semester!
Do you have any tips that you’ve used to improve your look that wasn’t mentioned?