By Grace Olaoluwa-David
Students are back on campus and the tons of pressures that come with being a student at the University of Lagos are about to be unleashed. Paying fees, finding accommodation, attending 8 a.m classes, dealing with impromptu tests, exams, compulsory class attendance and managing a tight budget. The struggles are numerous.
Amidst all of these, there is the rarely discussed pressure to look good and appear put together despite the stress.
“You don’t have to look like what you’re going through.”
“Dress the way you want to be addressed.”
“Dressing well boosts your confidence.”
They didn’t lie. But with the rising cost of clothes, shoes, and accessories, looking put together almost feels like a luxury. And so, “What do I wear today?” becomes a daily dilemma.
“Trying to pick what to wear to some specific occasion can be very challenging for me.” –Loveth, 300 level.
Dressing for the occasion is one of the most common fashion rules that exist. Shopping versatile basic pieces have proven to be an effective way to show up like you know what you are doing. Wearing that spandex gym pant to class could turn heads but not in a good way. You could consider shopping a stretchy and structured pant that can pass for gym wear and any random day wear. You could also swap that pair of crocs for a basic sandal or slippers for classes. A pair of sandals would complement multiple outfits than a pair of crocs would do.
The goal is to not look like you just rolled out of bed and headed straight to class (even if you did). Basic wears in neutral colours can be matched with many other pieces for different occasions unlike clothes purchased for specific events. One piece of clothing can be styled in many different ways and “Nobody’s gonna know” as they say.
“You can repeat your clothes but don’t repeat your outfit.” –Wafeequah 300 level.
So, when next you are shopping for clothes, ask yourself, “Can this cloth be worn and styled in multiple ways and on different occasions?”
Resist the urge to keep up with the Joneses. In the University of Lagos, there are big boys and girls who seem to have wardrobes full of designers and luxury fits, shoes and the latest fashion accessories. While there’s nothing wrong with owning all of that, trying to keep up with that lifestyle when it’s beyond your means would be unwise.
Instead of spending #50 to purchase that one piece of clothing that’s trending on campus, you can consider cheaper options, get three or four clothes and look good.
“Don’t do more than yourself. Don’t buy a #35,000 jean because everyone is buying it and you want to belong.” –Loveth 300 level.
Style is not always about how expensive your clothes are, it’s about how well you carry yourself in whatever you wear. Thrift shopping is the secret hack of most fashion forward boys and girls in the University of Lagos. Yaba and Bariga are the go-to markets for thrift wears.
“I shop quality and affordable wears at thrift stores in Yaba.” Anita- 200 level.
“Don’t sleep on thrift markets. If you can bargain well, you’d get a #1,500 fit and it won’t even look the price.” – Oreofe 300 level.
Another important tip for looking put together without doing too much is neatness and proper grooming. Simply brushing your hair, grooming your nails, cleaning your dusty shoe and ironing your clothes could elevate even a casual outfit. Preparing, ironing and cleaning your outfit a day before would help you a great deal. A dusty shoe or sandal and unkempt hair could ruin even the best outfit.
There are also several fashion items that are must haves for students. These items range from jewelry to sunglasses, wristwatches, scarves and belts.
“Normally, you should have a white shirt.” –Loveth 300 level
“One fashion item that I think every student should have is shoes, precisely loafers. It elevates your look no matter how basic it may be.” – Wafeequah 300 level.
At the end of the day, dressing well goes beyond wearing expensive fits. It is in how you are able to combine what you have in a nice way, show up neat and presentable, and dress appropriately for different occasions.
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