For some reason, it’s automatically assumed that when you get to college, you have to leave your jeans and dress shirts in your drawers until Friday night. At first this was great. I could wear sweatpants all the time, I could go to class in a hooded sweatshirt, and I never had to worry if my hair was combed or my face was shaved Now that I’m about to graduate, I can’t stand the stereotypical college “uniform.” As a matter of fact, lately I have a new found respect for the unique individuals that have an unconventional style because at least they are dressing as who they want to be, and putting some effort into it.

I also realized that the way I dress has a direct impact on how I feel about myself. When I put on a decent outfit I automatically walk a little more confidently, I get more involved in class discussions, and my overall productivity increases.

You never know who you are going to run into, so here are a few examples of how guys can casually dress up to make the best impression at all times.

Dress pants and designer jeans

Yes, it’s true, they are more expensive. But if you shop correctly, and do your research, you can limit yourself to two pairs of jeans, and three pairs of slacks. Also, look to outlet malls. I bought a $215 pair of jeans at Barney’s outlet store for $30. A little luck maybe, but because I shopped around and didn’t irrationally purchase jeans for full retail at Nordstrom’s I found a great deal.

Blazers

I love it. Go for it if you have the chance, but keep your surroundings in mind. For example, if you are going to a college bar overrun with “townies” trying to get into a fight, take the blazer off. Also, keep in mind that there are many types of blazers. I own everything from light colored corduroy, to black pinstriped. The occasion determines which I wear.

Last week I had a meeting with a large newspaper publication here that wanted to partner with my company. I wore a dress down blazer, nice t-shirt, and nice, unwrinkled jeans. I went into the meeting confidently, and came out successful. I can’t give all of the credit to the outfit, but I really think it helped.

Presentation Outfit

You will no doubt find yourself in many situations where you need to make a presentation. I’ve given presentations in everything from Linguistics to Biology to Marketing, and I’ve given a handful of guest speeches to entrepreneurship classes. One thing I’ve kept constant is my appearance. Whether I was required to dress a certain way or not, I always dressed up. Knowing that I look good gives me the confidence to get in front of groups of any size, and present with self-assurance.

Next time you attend a large class, or go watch a speaker, keep an eye on the audience. You can tell that when someone is dressed up, whether they’re an 18 year old kid or a 50 year old CEO, the spectators always give them more attention, and they usually become more involved in the presentation.

Don’t limit yourself to special occasions.  Keep your appearance up at all times.