What to wear on your first day of college to create a strong first impression?

Although psychologists agree that a good outfit when presented well does hold attention and potential to be influential, they highlight the need for comfort over everything.

Meeting new people, going through ice-breaker sessions, and getting set to face the academic pressures of a higher education, students face all kinds of challenges on their first day of college. However, one that begins from home itself is what they will wear on the D Day!

As the saying goes, ‘first impression is the last impression’, hence, the dress for the first day of college should be special to create a strong and lasting impression. As simple as it seems to some people, choosing a pair of clothes is quite tricky when one wants to look the best version of themselves.

Here’s what fashion experts and psychologists have to say:

5 fashion trends for college wear 

Delhi-based fashion designer Pooja Rajain lists five key gender-neutral trends this season:

1. Oversized Clothing: Knit wear or T-shirts, trousers or jeans, jackets or coats - you can't go wrong with loose-fitting clothing. It is not only fashionable but also suitable for layering during the colder seasons. It easily blends aesthetics into practicality, which is why so many students gravitate towards this style.

2. Monochrome Outfits: Hollywood's most stylish looks in monochrome are making a great impact, where simplicity meets style. Select one colour scheme and try different tones, finishes and add details to make your outfit stand out from the rest. While wearing monochromatic outfits, one can find a place for earthy colours and bright shades and use them according to mood and the event.

3. Utility Wear: Utility fashion is characterized by such elements as more pockets, zippers, and functional fabric that works well as workwear, too. Cargo trousers, utility waistcoats, and boiler suits as smarter versions for the fashion-conscious. They are also good for easy movement while carrying wallets, mobiles, water bottles, etc., all over the campus. This trend is rather rebellious in design and still comfortable for everyday wear.

4. Graphic Prints and Logos: Graphic patterns, large prints and logos referring to the '70s and '80s are very popular right now. From a classic rock band T-shirt to an abstract piece or a simple logo, these add character to any ensemble. Style it with other basic clothing items to give the utmost style that tells its own story.

5. Sustainable Fashion: Fast fashion may look good, but sustainable fashion is its own kind of vibe. Those who are environmentally conscious can opt for fabrics that are produced in an ethical manner and use natural fibres such as organic cotton, bamboo or recycled fabrics. Buying second-hand clothes or altering them is also a fun way of coming up with a personalized and sustainable wardrobe.

Reflect your confidence

For men, the first-day outfit must reflect your confidence and how greatly you carry your personality, and hence, the most appropriate dressing code would be well-fitting jeans or chinos and a fine buttoned shirt or a smart polo, according to Pooja Choudhary, founder of Lavanya The Label, an Indian ethnic fashion brand.

To be sure, jeans seem to be versatile and go with a wide range of colours. Try to go minimal and pick something in shades such as navy, beige, or white; bright touching accents can be made with a thick leather belt or fashionable sneakers.

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“For men, it is jeans, chinos, and /or good-quality trousers with a crisp button-down shirt or smart polo to show that you care about your looks and value this new setting. A solid colour, such as navy, beige, or white gives off the impression of steadiness and maturity, but the black and white provide a touch of individuality and flair, as seen in the belt or sneakers,” Choudhary said.

However, she warned not to wear clothes that are too flashy or contain too many graphic designs; to be dapper, an individual does not need to dress like they just came from a fashion show.

Women, Choudhary said, could consider wearing a stylish blouse, jeans that fit tightly at the waist, or a stylish skirt that gives a more formal look but is comfortable at the same time.

“Another type of dress that can be a good choice is a dress that is made from light and thin fabrics and has few prints. It is possible to pick soft shades of pink and blue or pastel because these colours give a sense of calmness and discretion; bright colours or patterns are more associated with creativity and self-confidence,” she said.

Pick comfortable shoes for your first day of college - ballet flats, loafers, and clean sneakers are all good choices, Choudhary said.

Don’t focus only on the first impression

Although psychologists agree that a good outfit when presented well does hold attention and potential to be influential, they highlight the need for comfort over everything. According to them, wearing a nice dress and being uncomfortable for the whole day is not a worthy sacrifice, and could spoil your first-day experience.

“Therefore, opt for clothes that are primarily comfortable and then relevant to fashion. Pick an outfit that you can carry the whole day, and is travel-friendly, weather-appropriate and makes you look graceful. When the comfort and grace is felt, confidence will exude,” said Kesha Bhavsar, a psychologist at mental healthcare firm Mpower, adding that classrooms can be full of air-conditioners (ACs) or lacking ventilation, such uncertainty might make one feel uncomfortable and spoil the mood.

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Apart from dressing, psychologists also highlighted the importance of keeping fears in check to look confident.

“Remember that important events also bring along the anxiety of the unknown and fear. Hence, it’s most important for these young minds to be infused with self-confidence and self-compassion. We may never be able to be the best as per fashion and current trend but being comfortable with what we are wearing, we will enjoy the most,” said Satjyot, psychologist and founder of wellbeing consultant firm WARI.

Want to stand out?

Fashion experts say clothing in a college is entirely dependent on the type of college. A management college or a law college, for instance, warrants formal clothing and it all boils down to dressing for the occasion.

On the other hand, for non-professional courses and colleges, boys can choose a crisp button-down shirt, paired with jeans or chinos that fit well, offering a neat appearance, as per Ketan Pishe, partner at fashion brand P N RAO.

“A well-tailored Shacket (shirt-jacket) is a great option, for it creates a very different impression. A linen trouser with a collared T-Shirt with a bomber jacket, creates a slick yet casual look – appropriate for the first day at college,” he said.

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Further, Pishe observed that there are a lot of girls who like to wear a smart shirt with high-waist trousers, highlighting that such a combination is stylish for the first day in college and also appropriate.

“Lightweight throw-on jackets, a completely unstructured, casual yet elegant garment are (also) ideal to make a statement for the first day in college. Parting shot: Since it is the first day in college, it is okay to smarten up, but not loud,” he added.

Should you wear the official college dress?

While creating a strong first impression is important, amalgamating in institutes' decorum also acts as an ice-breaker which is bias-free. Certain Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and eminent private colleges have a dress code which is not necessarily mandatory but creates a sense of belongingness.

Besides, wearing a college dress gives students an advantage to have conversations with others without any prejudice or bias that may arise out of one's fashion taste.