Last Sunday, I found myself outside of a café on campus with a few of my friends. As I enjoyed my delicious breakfast, I listened as my friends critiqued each girl that passed us on the street.
Oh, and I should’ve mentioned, these friends were all single college guys. Read: the most opinionated and uncensored species there is.
I understand that certain outfits aren’t for everyone, but it seems that guys still haven’t realized that when we get dressed in the morning they aren’t the only ones we’re trying to garner attention from. Admit it: when you see a girl in an outfit worthy of a magazine spread, you take a second glance.
It’s ok, we all do it, I promise.
So as girl after girl walked by our table Sunday morning, we all looked. I mentally catalogued how she paired dark-wash skinny jeans with a faux fur vest while the guys worked to see how many Lion King references they could come up with in thirty seconds.
Leather jacket? Biker. Leather leggings? Lady Gaga. Plaid? Lumberjack. Between the four of them, any outfit that wasn’t basic-jeans-and-a-tee was fair game. Now as a fashion writer, a magazine addict and a shopaholic, I want to be able to have fun with my clothing without being subject to these remarks. Is that too much too ask?
Yep.
Except for schools in Manhattan, where you could walk down the street with sky-high purple platforms and a bathing suit without a second look (seriously, I’ve seen it), college campuses kind of suck. Toning down your inner fashionista during the day isn’t any fun, but factoring in the opinions of the male species when getting dressed for a night out is even worse. Skin-tight dress? You’re golden. Anything that doesn’t show more skin than it covers and you better have really great hair that night.
So, I decided that I needed to conduct my own study of this species, determined to find the balance between the style choices of Kate Moss and J. Woww.
Situation #1: For class
Girls say:
“All three outfits are cute, but when I roll out of bed for my 8 a.m. class there’s no way I’m putting together that first outfit. I want to be comfortable in class, leggings are pretty much my go-to.” – Heather, UConn
Guys say:
“Leggings and a flannel shirt? It’s like two jokes in one. And what’s up with those glasses? The top and skirt are a lot better, she’d definitely get my attention.” – Alex, Northeastern University
“In the outfit on the right, the plaid shirt doesn’t really flatter her at all. Plaid and flannel also seem a little too manly for girls to wear sometimes.” – Kyle, URI
“I disagree about the ‘Guys’ look – it’s outfits like that that keep me from paying attention in class! I like to see a little bit of skin, but that is too much for classes I think.” – Matt, NYU
Finding the balance: I know leggings are comfortable, versatile and a pretty popular trend across college campuses, but they’re still a piece that guys still can’t wrap their heads around. The center outfit lets you stay comfy and covered up while still keeping that cute, girly factor. An easy thing to explain this balance is that boys want to see skin (yes, it’s that simple). Stick to a long-sleeved shirt and showing a little leg, or a tank and long pants. For the winter months ahead invest in a cute, figure-flattering coat that will still keep you nice and warm on the walk to class!
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Situation #2: For the weekend
Girls say:
“When I go out on the weekends, I love loose slouchy shirts! They’re super versatile and easy to dress-up or dress-down. Plus, paired with a tight, high-waisted skirt, there’s no need to worry about my stomach showing when I’m out drinking.” Kate, Brown University
Guys say:
“Both of the extreme looks are kind of intimidating. A girl in that gold dress is bound to have a ton of guys standing around her at a party. The ‘Girls’ look is a little too tough, she looks like she could beat me up.” – Brian, UConn
“The girl in the tight, gold dress would definitely get my attention – she seems a lot more confident.” – Ben, Northeastern University
“The gold dress is super hot, but she looks like she’s trying a little too hard to get attention – that’s never a good sign. The outfit on the right also seems a little over the top with the boots and jewelry.” – Shawn, Colby
Finding the balance: The males actually have a valid point on this one. We need to throw a little credit their way for picking up on that our love of empire-waist tanks and slouchy shirts isn’t just because they’re cute – it’s because to us, those fits are more flattering. The outfit on the right is an easy balance if you’re self-conscious about your stomach. A high-waisted skirt in a structured fabric like leather acts as a kind of Spanx – except cuter and way less creepy. Don’t be afraid to feel sexy on a night out!
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Situation #3: For formal
Girls say:
“I like all three of these looks, but the black lace is a little too Britney Spears for a classy formal. The velvet one-shouldered dress is really fashion-forward and unexpected. I think that dress could be really cute with normal pumps and loose waves in your hair!” – Emily, Syracuse
Guys say:
“The velvet dress looks like something my five-year-old little sister would wear. The black dress is hot, especially with the one shoulder of lace.” – Chris, Northeastern University
“The black lace dress would get my attention first, but I’d probably be most inclined to start up a conversation with the girl in the center. That dress makes her girly and outgoing, definitely the girl I would want to talk to.” – Adam, Delaware
“My mom loves when I go to formal because those are some pictures that she can send my grandparents. If I’m taking a date, I don’t need her to go all out to impress me. I love when girls are just natural and themselves. Yeah, all the guys will be in line to dance with the girl on the left – but she’s not the one who will be in the pictures we show our parents.” – Justin, Princeton
Finding the balance: I’m a huge fan of the LBD, but it’s kind of always going to be the go-to for college girls (most flattering color? I’m in). The center dress is a great balance between a flirty dress and an expected pattern. Like the outfits for class, it’s all about balance. If you’re going to do a short dress, try and stay away from skin-tight fits (unless you are going for that Britney Spears look).
I’m going to say this study of the college male species was a success. My findings show that guys can appreciate our experimentation with fashion – leather, plaid shirts, floral, taffeta – as long as we’re still showing off our body a little bit. Whether that’s something you like or dislike, you have to understand they just want to see us confident and sexy – and isn’t that what women’s magazines have been telling us for years? To be confident with our bodies?
Touché boys, maybe you aren’t quite as shallow as we make you out to be. You’re still never going to get me in a spandex gold dress though.