Classroom Fashion: Be Trendy Under The Radar

In this era of color blocking, I know it’s crucial that we keep up the trend, but as a student, it’s important to remember that the classroom is not a fashion house. Getting picked on by lecturers because you look ‘colourful’ may not necessarily be in your best interest. So if you want to stay trendy below the radar, here are a few tips: If your colored, tone down the choice of colours you wear to class: Rather than fixing neon coloured weave-ons, use colours closer to natural hair colors or mix highlights of distinct colored weave-ons (like purple or blue) with lots of black so the colors aren’t noticeable from a distance. Also, rather than dying your hair bright colours, use duller shades of neon e.g. instead of dying your hair bright red, you can use maroon red or oxblood red. In addition, if you must use colourful hair, then dress it presentably in a way that will not draw much attention e.g. if you fix grey wool dreadlocks, pack your hair neatly to the back and bundle the sticky ends in (just in case you decide to walk out of the class to receive a phone call, for instance). Guys, just avoid coloured hair till the holidays are here, you can’t look like Denrele in class and not get picked on by lecturers. As mentioned earlier, if you must do this, dress the coloured hair in a presentable manner like a decent low cut or a well combed afro. Colour block with accessories (belts, hand bands, necklaces, face caps, shoes, nails): Rather than wear matching coloured pants and tops, you can wear a uniform colour or pattern and break up the symmetry with a contrasting accessory. To rock flora print in class, stick to floral bottoms and plain coloured tops or vice versa.  If your clothes are colourful, keep everything else simple or nude. Keep your metal chains and sunglasses out of the classroom: Wearing such accessories in class makes you look like you are not ready for the seriousness of education you paid school fees for. No one wants to feel like they are wasting their time. You are not a gangster neither is the higher institution of learning a place for thugs. Even if you are a musician, wearing sunglasses and dangling metal chains in class is considered inappropriate. Take them off and wear them after school hours.  Oh please… DO NOT colour block with your underwear in translucent chiffon tops or with your boxers in low rise jeans: The temptation to beg kneeling down is high with this one. It’s just not cool. How can you say you don’t care what people think? That’s so unfair. How would you like it if someone with an odour sat near you and opened their armpits or coughed in your face with their bad breath because they didn’t care what you thought of their stench? It is offensive to the common man on the street, talk less of your lecturer who spent years in school gaining a Master’s or PhD only to come to class to teach you and see you dressing so inappropriately. Wear monotone shoes or simple footwear to class: Guys, Palm slippers and ‘shinny’ Supras to class is a no no, instead use Toms or decent shoes. Really, how hard is it to get sandals? Ladies, same goes for you too. No high heels. If you must be elevated, wear platform or heeled pumps in neutral or monotone colours. Some lecturers may give a countdown to when they expect students to meet them in the lab or Lecture Theatre (LT) and the last excuse for late coming they want to hear is, ‘my heel broke’. Wear shoes that allow you to be smart on your feet. What I love about trends is the fact that everyone wants to appear ‘current’. The belief is that standing out is impossible unless you go overboard, but that’s not true. Stay moderate and you’ll be just fine.

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This article was first published on 5th October 2012 and updated on October 3rd, 2017 at 4:15 pm

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