Forget what your mother told you – it's what's on the outside that counts in college. Even if you're broke, it's important to dress well, writes ROSEMARY MAC CABE
IF WE spend the first 17 or 18 years of our lives learning not to judge a book by its cover, the next four will be dedicated to accepting the fact that sometimes, just sometimes, appearances are not deceiving at all. College, you see, is where we hone our judgment skills; where we learn what our own “look” is, and how to judge others by theirs.
The problem with cultivating one’s image – the means by which you will attract friends, and sexual partners – is that looking good rarely comes cheap. You’ll want to keep your disposable income for important things like alcohol, music and socialising, so thinking outside the box is crucial.
Have you ever lost anything at a house party? I have parted ways with several scarves, two pairs of shoes, an oversized vintage Kiss T-shirt and a pair of jeans (don’t ask) at shindigs over the years. It stands to reason, then, that the party host will end the evening in possession of several new (to them) items of clothing. So: hold a party and look forward to the next morning’s sartorial surprises.
Secondly, consider having some casual relationships – you know, a couple of weeks hanging out with Jeff, who’s in a band, owns several pairs of Ray-bans and wears v-neck Topman tees in a variety of colours.
What’s that? Thievery, you say? Surely not, it’s called borrowing. And, when the relationship is over, it’s called being too polite/stupid to ask for the return of said loaners.
If you must spend money, try charity shops, but only those in upmarket areas. An organic bakery is often an excellent signifier of quality cast-offs in the vicinity. Try to make your secondhand purchases appear cool and ironic – just don’t get too earnest about it.
You could, of course, try to get a job in a clothing store. Brown Thomas is a good bet, as it stocks myriad (expensive) brands. Topshop has a good staff discount. If you’d rather not work – and we feel your pain – befriend someone who does, but only if they are generous with the discounts.
Keep an eye out for special offers. This is tricky, as you don’t want to become the woman or man with the coupon problem. No, you want to be the cool person who’s in the know about fashion events. Why not set up a fake Facebook account so you can “like” all local shops with special offers, without any of your friends discovering your cheap nature.
Lastly, know that some sacrifices are worth making. Food vs must-have jeans? No contest.
