Vogue Vixen: Boys should dress to impress

Guys, it’s time for your annual fashion checkup. A wise Alicia Silverstone once said, “So, okay, I don’t want to be a traitor to my generation and all, but I don’t get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair — ew — and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we’re expected to swoon? I don’t think so.” Quoted from the movie Clueless (1995), unfortunately, it rings true on this campus today.

One would think that because it’s freezing outside, boys would want pants covering their behinds. I also do not understand wearing your pants around your knees with a belt. I thought the belt was meant to keep your pants from falling down to your knees. There are plenty of stylish jeans that will be long enough to go over your sneakers, which brings me to my next point.

I understand the harsh climatic elements this campus has brought us, but athletic sneakers with jeans looks a bit ridiculous. Rather than looking like you are headed off to play basketball, wear sneakers that are meant for walking. Even Reebok and Nike make sneakers that have a rounded toe and look much more stylish with your jeans and even sweat pants.

As far as hairstyles, it doesn’t take much time to put some gel in your hair. It’s worth the effort. It will look like you tried, even if you did just roll out of bed. Another hairstyle that intrigues me is the “faux-hawk.” It’s not as extreme as an actual mohawk, but it still looks pretty hot. I like it and encourage any guy with long enough hair to try it. For guys with really long “shaggy” hair, that’s cool too, but please, at least run a comb through it before stepping outside. There is a fine line between shaggy and scruffy.

Another way to clean up your look gentlemen, is please, tweeze your eyebrows. I’m not suggesting to go to a salon and get them waxed, but at the very least, do some maintenance work on them. Remember, there should be two.

If you’re looking to clean up your act entirely and want to go to class looking like a man rather than a teenager, ditch the sweat pants and sweatshirts for everyday wear. Understandably, you will want to dress down sometimes, but all the time is a different story. If girls can make the effort to get dressed for class, so can you.

Peacoats look great on any guy and will make you look more mature. Wearing a long sleeved collared shirt or even a rugby polo can make you look 10 times more sophisticated.

Where to go to change your style? For a more refined look, go to J.Crew, Banana Republic or The Gap. You can find a variety of dressy styles. If that’s too preppy for you, go to American Eagle or Polo Ralph Lauren. If you’re more of a surfer/skater boy, Hollister and Pacific Sunwear are your match made in heaven. And if you’re a bit punk, Zumiez is your next stop.

Don’t be afraid of being classified as high-maintenance. The point is that you’ll look good and heads will turn. Perhaps the boys on this campus can turn into the men on the cover of GQ.