Peter WilsonTo quote Joe Fox, I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. Unfortunately, I don’t; but what I can do is send you these few words of wisdom on how to get that geek-chic look this autumn. Summer may be over, but your wardrobe doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re a fresh-faced fresher or a final year student, here are some of our favourite picks for the more bookish students on campus. For those of you who are too school for cool, take note of these looks, and you won’t be for much longer.
Top of the Class
Forget about white shirts and black pants. This look is all about having fun from graphic t-shirts to colourful jumpers! While I’ve always liked to wear reds and greens during the colder months, orange is on trend this season too. So, like me, why not choose something a little different this year. It’s also worth getting a mixture of v-neck and round-neck t-shirts as well as some plain long sleeve t-shirts. Layering is key to this look and can almost double your wardrobe if you mix and match items.
University hoodies, out! Stylish outerwear, in!
Your coat should take centre stage this season. Whilst most designers opt for a more muted palette in their AW collections, others have showcased splashes of colour to keep you bright throughout the colder months. There is no reason why you should be reaching for those over-sized hoodies when there’s an abundance of choice out there. Whether it’s pea or parka, don’t let Jack Frost catch you out this season.
Bottoms
When the night is bitter (and the stars have lost their glitter), say good riddance and goodbye to those summer shorts. Yes, you’ll see some students wearing those sun-faded shorts way into October, but this, for me, is never a good look for autumn. Jeans are always a great way to go for this look. Whether you like skinny or less fitted styles, it really doesn’t matter; just make sure that they’re in a dark wash as lighter denims are a nightmare to keep clean around this time of year. And if you’re thinking about something a little different, chinos always work for this look, too. Stay with muted colours like beige and olive if you want the “Big Bang Theory” look, or as colour blocking is popular right now, go bold with a brighter colour. Anything goes, I say!
The Pack is back!
For some, the backpack has always been their go-to bag. For others, they scream nerd and should never be worn. But when they surged onto the SS12 runways, it was clear that the nerds on campus got at least one thing right. They are cool, fun and functional! Since then, this accessory has gone from strength to strength with many designers and retailers choosing these over satchels and messenger bags for their AW13 collections. This trend has become bigger than just a fad, and is now a permanent feature of the man-bag landscape. Whether this has been influenced by sports, or by those faithful students who refused to wear anything else, the need for a backpack this season is huge. And right now, it seems as though size matters as the bigger and squarer the better. From a range of patterns, colours, sizes and fabrics, why not release your inner nerd with one of these stylish backpacks.
And while you’re at it, treat yourself this term to some of these amazing accessories. From playful moustache socks, or this stripy Paul Smith hat, to this Marvel-inspired wallet, these must-have items are definitely on our Back-to-School wish list.
A Lesson in Style
As a self-confessed nerd, I like to think of this style as simple but fun. From t-shirts and jumpers to jeans and chinos, this look is also really easy to get. So it’s time to get back to cool this autumn, whether you like to play with colour or prefer to keep it plain. It doesn’t matter whether you’re heading back to your student digs, or just want to relive those university days, these geek-chic looks will have you looking collegiate-ready just in time for autumn.