College Fashion For Men: Upgrade Your Campus Style With These Nifty Outfit Ideas

College life is your introduction to adulthood. And adulthood, if anything, means discovering our interests and passions, shaping our personalities and ideologies, and learning new ways to express ourselves.

Talking about self-expression, one good way to express yourself is through fashion. 

Yes, great style is the cheat code to campus popularity and a good way to create your image as you prepare yourself to face the real world. 

That said, when we talk about dabbling in ‘college fashion for men’, in no way, are we asking you to drop your books and take on the runway. But trust us there’s much power in having clean language and a cleaner style. 

Building a well-curated men’s wardrobe doesn’t take that much effort or money; it’s about getting your hands on a few essentials and experimenting till you find your style. The plus side is you are starting young, so you are allowed to make mistakes and by the time you complete your graduation, you will be a pro. 

In this piece, we present a foolproof guide for men to ace campus fashion and break down college outfit ideas that will make you stand out amongst your homies.

College fashion tips for men to perfect their campus style

Whether you are a fresher or a sophomore, the influencer-types or a cool nerd, these tips on acing college fashion will help you look and feel great on campus:

1. Invest in a stylish yet practical bag

First things first, get yourself a stylish bag because that’s something you will be practically using every day. So, why not make a choice that’s a fashion statement as well? 

Pick a backpack if you need to carry more than just your books, such as a laptop, and go for a crossbody bag if it is only a few essentials you need along with a notebook. You can also consider a fanny pack for those fun Fridays when there are only a few classes to attend. 

2. Find yourself a pair of blue jeans that fit well

Denim or jeans as we call them are the best of wardrobe staples; they come in handy to create multiple casual looks. I mean, even if you wear the same pair of jeans every alternate day and tweak your style a little, trust us, nobody is going to notice. 

Get a pair in light-washed blue and one in a darker navy colour to keep them in rotation. 

3. Graphic tees for that cool-dude-on-the-loose look

Quirky graphic tees that scream your state of mind or your edgy taste in pop culture should be your go-to while building fun college looks.

Style them with chinos or baggy jeans to work that easy, cool boy style. 

4. Go, varsity!

The varsity jacket is a collegewear classic. They make you look young and sporty and can instantly add a dressy edge to your everyday style. After all, there’s a reason why they are called ‘varsity’ jackets, right?

Pair them with a solid T-shirt and regular jeans and throw on a baseball cap for maximum effect. 

5. Athleisure wear is a must-have

Athleisure wear is the moment right now. It is a fashion trend that combines elements of athletic wear with leisure and loungewear fit. Joggers, oversized T-shirts and hoodies are a few must-have athleisure pieces that will keep you looking great and feeling extremely comfortable. 

Perfect to wear on days when you plan to indulge in a little outdoorsy activities like campus cricket, volleyball or a dance practice for that upcoming college fest.

6. Invest in a good suit jacket or blazer

What a trucker jacket or a varsity jacket is for a casual wardrobe, a blazer jacket is for a formal one. Whether you have a presentation to deliver, a viva to appear in or a fresher’s party to attend, a sleek suit jacket will help you look sharp. 

And don’t sweat on repeating the same number; it’s college and everyone is running on a shoestring budget, so that’s fine! The point is to look presentable and stylish as opposed to flaunting your buying capacity. 

7. Polo shirts can amp up college outfits for guys

Now that we are done discussing casual and formal essentials for men, allow us to introduce you to the most underrated piece in menswear fashion, the polo shirt. Often overlooked in a pile of fancy T-shirts and dress shirts, polo shirts, in fact, will help you strike the right balance between casual and formal wear. 

Get one in a classic navy or black and one in fun bright stripes to introduce some colour to your wardrobe. The best part? They suit all body types. 

8. Get yourself a good pair of sneakers

Moving on to the shoes, a chic and comfy pair of sneakers shall never disappoint and should work to round up most of your regular looks.

For days when you decide to go formal, consider penny loafers or oxfords to solid-proof your college wardrobe. 

9. How about accessories?

Well, the key to acing the art of accessorising for when you are in college is — less is more. Stick to minimal elements like a small chain pendant paired with a few rings, a baseball cap teamed with a cool bag or a bucket hat with cool sunglasses.

Also, it is wise to invest in a good watch as they are an essential piece in a man’s style arsenal. Sports or analogue, the choice is yours!

College fashion outfit ideas for men for different occasions

Casual Day: Light-washed jeans with a graphic tee and sneakers for a laid-back look.

Dressy Day: Wear a button-down shirt with dark jeans and dress shoes for a more polished look.

Presentation Day: This is where your blazer jacket will come in handy.

Fresher’s Party: A metallic T-shirt styled with the same blazer and those regular-fit jeans will keep you covered. 

Layered Look: Combine a hoodie, bomber jacket, and sneakers for a stylish and cosy outfit in the colder months.

Sports Day: Mix athletic wear with street-style essentials for a trendy and comfortable look that allows full movement.

Fashion trends to try as a college student

Thrifting: Thrifting as a fashion trend is everything right now. It will keep you looking your best without burning a hole in your pocket.

Sustainable fashion: Invest in eco-friendly clothing that lasts long and is good for the environment. Thinking about the planet should start early.

Streetwear: Incorporate bold logos and graphics into your wardrobe.

’90s Revival: Bring back the nostalgia with high-waisted jeans, denim on denim look and oversized flannels.

To sum it up, college life is your playground to find and build your individual style; so don’t be afraid to experiment. Everyone is either as good or as bad as you are! So, have fun lads!

(Header and feature image courtesy: Instagram/Abhay Verma/Win Metawin)5.