You can learn a lot from a person by paying special attention to the clothes they wear, because not only does a person’s choice of clothing offer insight into their inner workings, but also their external environments.
LSU students reflect differences in clothing style during the day and at night.
It’s Monday morning at LSU, and Whitney Coley, a science and technology freshman, is on her way to class.
“I don’t put a lot of effort into what I wear to class,” she said.
Coley said P.J.’s, T-shirts, and a ponytail are part of her usual look.
“Your focus when you’re in class should be the professor’s lecture and taking notes,” she said. “Not on what you have on.”
When she does decide to go out, Coley said her style changes.
“When it’s time to go out it usually takes me an hour to an hour and a half to get ready,” she said. “The majority of the time my outfit is a cute, fitted top and jeans.”
Coley said while going to class students on campus should dress comfortably.
Coley’s personal style consists of various skirts, tops and jeans from Abercrombie and Fitch.
“It’s silly to get dressed up and trek across campus in the heat,” she said. “Special clothes like slacks and black dresses should be reserved for special occasions or events.”
Victoria Williams, a secondary education junior, said she dresses comfortably when she goes to class.
“I look at people as if they were crazy when they dress to go to the club instead of the classroom,” she said. “Walking in high heels on uneven sidewalks makes no sense.”
Kenny Hebert, a biological sciences freshman, said when dressing for class it is important to find the right balance between being presentable and comfortable.
“I work in the Student Government office, so I think it is important to look both causal and professional,” he said. “I usually wear a college shirt and either jeans or khakis.”
Marcus Thomas, a kinesiology graduate student, said he picks out clothes the night before he can wear both to school and his job.
“If there is an event at night, then I go home and change,” he said.
Since Thomas works as a fitness instructor, he said sometimes his shorts and T-shirts may need to be upgraded to dressier pants and shirts depending on the location or event he is attending.
Lindsey Hall, a general studies sophomore, said for the most part, students on campus don’t wear anything special to class.
“People are too busy to get dressed up, and other students are in too much of a hurry to notice their effort,” Hall said.
Sweatpants, Sofee shorts, LSU T-shirts, and flip-flops are clothing items Hall said she usually sees students wearing during a typical class day.
The items are OK to wear around campus, but will not grant you a spot on the dance floor in some night clubs.
Some of the these comfortable clothing items must be shed in order for students to get into clubs like Element.
Chantel Richard, Element office manager, said the overall dress of Element club-goers is casual, but not as laid-back as campus clothing.
“We do have a dress code that prohibits items like jerseys, flip-flops and sleeveless shirts,” she said. “If people do show up to the door in violation, they will not be let in.”
Jazimine Moore, a political science freshman, said it is critical for people to pay very close attention to specific clothing articles when they do decide to hit the club scene.
“Skirts that start mid-thigh and barely cover a girl’s butt are too short,” she said.
Moore said clothes for the club scene should be sexy and classy, and not hoochie.