What to wear when you're a student

[dumbfairy]

To me...formal is smart. Skirts,with shirts and heels.Complete opposite of casual,but not smart enough for black tie. I don't know.

Having said all of that,today I am having a casual day,something must be wrong!

 

[Whitelinen]

^Are only heels smart? Aren't there any flat shoes you consider smart?

And what then is casual? I myself consider it casual when I throw on my cashmere sweater and tailored pair of trousers and go to school. I don't think it formal or smart... just casual.

To me, formal would be a suit or little black dress etc., which I personally think is not suitable for school.

Anyway, not that this all matters. I am just puzzled about what the words "formal" and "casual" mean. Is there some sort of an official definition available?

 

[from: sophia]

I guess I would dress on the casual side of formal a dress a sweater and heels is like my self inflected uniform I like my boots as well I only wear flats when I am just hanging out going to the park things like that

 

[Starry-Eyed]

Yes I did see the odd f-word pop up a bit... I guess I would only consider black tie and cocktail-type attire formal... I would say more than anything that myself and the majority of my peers dress smartly or quite preppy when in college... those going around in long scholars gowns are the ones dressing formally, and they are waaaaaaaaaaay outta my league!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^Are only heels smart? Aren't there any flat shoes you consider smart?

And what then is casual? I myself consider it casual when I throw on my cashmere sweater and tailored pair of trousers and go to school. I don't think it formal or smart... just casual.

To me, formal would be a suit or little black dress etc., which I personally think is not suitable for school.

Anyway, not that this all matters. I am just puzzled about what the words "formal" and "casual" mean. Is there some sort of an official definition available?

I usually consult Merriam-Webster

 

[dumbfairy]

^Are only heels smart? Aren't there any flat shoes you consider smart?

Hmmm. I've had a think about this. And,yes some flat shoes are smart, but I only ever wear flat shoes on casual-ish days. When I think smart,I always think heels,and before I started University I was always in heels,flats were the enemy! For me anyway

 

[cambry]

I usually consult Merriam-Webster

Actually, I'd say those definitions are more of a subjective thing than anything a formal dictionary should be consulted for.

 

[fashionista-ta]

m-w

Not rocket science, surely?

Main Entry: 1ca·su·al Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French casuel, from Late Latin casualis, from Latin casus fall, chance — more at case Date: 14th century 1: subject to, resulting from, or occurring by chance <a casual meeting>2 a: occurring without regularity : occasional <casual employment> b: employed for irregular periods <a casual worker> c: met with on occasion and known only superficially <a casual friend>3 a (1): feeling or showing little concern : nonchalant <a casual approach to cooking> (2): lacking a high degree of interest or devotion <casual sports fans> <casual readers> (3): done without serious intent or commitment <casual sex> b (1): informal , natural <a casual conversation> (2): designed for informal use <casual clothing> synonyms see accidental, random

Main Entry: 1for·mal Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin formalis, from forma Date: 14th century 1 a: belonging to or constituting the form or essence of a thing <formal cause> b: relating to or involving the outward form, structure, relationships, or arrangement of elements rather than content <formal logic> <a formal style of painting> <a formal approach to comparative linguistics>2 a: following or according with established form, custom, or rule <lacked formal schooling> <a formal dinner party> <formal attire> b: done in due or lawful form <a formal contract> <received formal recognition>3 a: characterized by punctilious respect for form : methodical <very formal in all his dealings> b: rigidly ceremonious : prim4: having the appearance without the substance <formal Christians who go to church only at Easter> synonyms see ceremonial



Skimming these definitions makes me think that casual/formal is really a matter of attitude ... that Chanel can be worn in a casual, nonchalant way, and jeans & Keds can be worn in a formal way (a la ramrod).

 

[Guessgirl96]

I'm happy to say I'm dressing slightly better to class than I was last year although I still have my lazy sweatpants days as well. I start an hour later and now that I have a washer and dryer in my apt I have clean casual clothes to wear. One of my lab GA's is so super gorgeous and nice (and recently single ) so that helps too

 

[olga.]

my formal university uniform is always the same. although we are not obliged to wear anything special. i always wear miniskirts, ballet flats, tank tops and long cardigans. plus some huge labelled bag. all in black, of course - i do not let myself be interrupted by other colors. . i sometimes hear comments from my fellow students, like, can your skirts be any shorter? i dont mind. most of my tutors are men. and i am, like, 5.0 student.

i am very curious about people who wear designers' bags and shoes - does your colleagues and friends recognize what priceless things are you wearing or rather not? pardon for far-fetched curiosity, but still. coveting answers.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I'm not a student, but even now, I'm sure no one knows what I'm wearing. (Unless I go back to the store where I bought it ) One of my colleagues (who I'm sure makes more than I) has a rule never to spend more than $100 on a pair of shoes, and wears knockoff bags. She has no idea what I'm wearing ... I prefer it that way. I buy a few very nice things, and all that matters is they're very nice.

 

[jadorechanel]

I'm in high school and a lot of my friends come in wearing multi-colored skinny jeans and converse or skirts from American Apparel, which is REEEEALLY popular amongst private school kids in NYC.. at least in my school. The whole Gossip Girl thing is pretty unrealistic in terms of style. No one dresses in 4 inch heels to go to class.

 

[olga.]

^ I'm not a student, but even now, I'm sure no one knows what I'm wearing. (Unless I go back to the store where I bought it ) One of my colleagues (who I'm sure makes more than I) has a rule never to spend more than $100 on a pair of shoes, and wears knockoff bags. She has no idea what I'm wearing ... I prefer it that way. I buy a few very nice things, and all that matters is they're very nice.

i have also noticed that no one seems to be interested in fashion to that extent that they easily recognize clothes. . everybody always asks me where i bought these and these, but i always say something like "h&m", cause further small talk about net-a-porter.com is useless i suppose.

i was just curious anyway. thanks.

 

[homeboy]

For me there is no distinguish in my dressing. I wear the same clothes at University at I wear during my leisure time. Can't see the need to tailor my dressing for Uni and so forth.

 

[dumbfairy]

i have also noticed that no one seems to be interested in fashion to that extent that they easily recognize clothes. . everybody always asks me where i bought these and these, but i always say something like "h&m", cause further small talk about net-a-porter.com is useless i suppose.

i was just curious anyway. thanks.

Be proud of what you wear and where it's from/by, even if people can't appreciate it,say it anyway if asked

I don't think many people at my university recognise a lot,but for everybody who doesn't,there is bound to be someone who does. The girl in the flat next to me has the most beautiful miu miu bag,and I told my friend I loved it,and she had no idea who miu miu was Then again,I might not recognise a lot from H&M etc

 

[theprettycat]

I say the good old jeans and a t-shirt goes well for me. I am being comfortable (not TO comfortable) and simple, and its easier to walk around in. For shoes I'd go with boots or converse since its comfortable enough, but quite stylish as well. Mostly boots now since it is winter.
I just remember its school I am going for, not a Chanel fashion show

In the end your pieces just have to look good on you. I wear forever 21 jeans because they work better on me than Levi's or higher end brands.

 

[haute femme]

I think it's important to feel comfortable at school, but sometimes PJs and slippers in class just screams "I dont care".. I think it's a little disrespectful to the professors. I'm normally in jeans, a v-neck tee and a cardigan though I think mild workout attire is okay too..

 

[StrawberrySpring]

guys, I need your help

I'm 17 - if it matters - and I'm totally impressed by the Old Hollywood glamour style. you know - all these sequins, satin, cream & white, red lips and nails, gold jewellery and pearls. think Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren.

I know I can't wear that clothes to school (I'm in high school now) but maybe I can emulate this? where I can find inspirations, maybe there are some stars, who dress casual but glamour (I'm thinking about Miranda Kerr, or maybe Kate Beckinsale?)? and what about shoes - I must wear flats, will they be good?

thank you for any advice!

 

[Nemezide]

do you need to wear something special because of being a student? i doubt so.
i am a student and i wear what i want. well but maybe some universities have their dress codes

 

[the telescreen.]

I go to an international school --- which means lots of money and lots of travel (I have had friends who ONLY buy shoes in Europe, or know people in Dior and stuff). Our style is pretty divided at our school! Some people look like they are LITERALLY going to work --- they wear pencil skirts, heels, very over-the-top blouses.

Then, again, some of us just wear jeans and a nice jacket and top. It is only high school, after all.

Me? I'm a fashion dork. xD I love cardigans, a nice tanktop and a scarf. And then a nice pair of jeans. I can't wear heels to school (I walk waaay too much) so I wear converses. xD