Fashion is a tricky business. As Mark Twain once said, "The clothes make the man," and no one wants to be caught in something hideously outdated. Sophomore Summer is the perfect time to break free from your shell of cargo shorts and bad decisions, and embrace the new, fashion-conscious you.
Summer is hot, so lighten up and show some skin! Ladies, not that you need reminding, but less is more. The summer heat offers an opportunity for fashion-forward twists to traditional seasonal staples. For example, take the Dartmouth standard of sporting leggings and a T-shirt. In the blistering summer sun, those leggings won't be necessary: just wear the T-shirt and voila! A new style is born.
Sundresses will also be huge this summer, and the struggle for originality will be a difficult one. An easy way to make your sundress look original is to wear a belt. As a sundress is a dress, and not a pair of pants, the belt does not really do anything besides look awesome, that is. The lack of functionality allows you to wear any kind of belt that you so choose, without the fear of it not fitting through belt loops. Belts can be found at most clothing suppliers, and this season's "in" material is leather. Note: soft rope can be substituted if you want to channel your inner Greek goddess or shepherd.
FOR GUYS, summer style is even less complicated. Recently, popular styles of dress among men in the (highly coveted) 18-25 age group showcase one's affluence and athleticism. This can be achieved by wearing (1) a lacrosse penny, preferably from one's undefeated high school team or a prestigious recruiting camp; (2) pastel chino shorts and (3) either flip flops, boat shoes or some ultra-fresh kicks.
The penny eliminates the dreaded "peasant tan," in which unfortunate tan lines make one resemble a common laborer. Costas secured by your favorite croakies are traditionally worn around the neck to complement the look. According to urbandictionary.com, these Costa del Mar Sunglasses are "widely popular among stylish southern males" and indispensable to the modern bro. Of course, Ray Bans or Oakleys are equally acceptable bro-cessories, but be sure to stay away from gas station knock-offs. For classier/chillier events, a button-down can be worn instead of a penny, though it should be untucked and the sleeves should be rolled up a bit. For a summer twist on the standard athletic top/affluent bottom theme, try reversing the look by pairing an oxford with gym shorts.
At the other end of the male fashion spectrum are the hipsters. These men, jealous of the success of women's fashion, have tried to emulate it, with irony as their go-to justification. The popular item for this crowd is the V-neck T-shirt. Invented by men during the Renaissance to trick women into showcasing their cleavage, the V-neck has found its way back into male fashion. Its versatility can be enhanced by different graphics, colors and, of course, the depth of the V.
The summer is a good time to switch up your style and replace the V-neck with its cousin, the tank top. Invented during the aptly named Age of Discovery by men bored with V-necks, the tank top was originally designed to trick women into displaying both their cleavage and their dainty shoulders. More recently, the tank top has seen a meteoric rise in popularity among men as a response to the lacrosse penny. Whereas pennies are emblazoned with teams and camps, tank tops should be adorned with obscure bands, obscure sayings or minimalist designs.
Whatever your summer fashion fix, keep in mind: we are still in Hanover. Read: your "whatever" should be raincoat-compatible.
Good luck!
