I wore a dress and rain boots yesterday. Some would consider this quite a fashion blunder. Dresses are considered the epitome of femininity, while rubber rain boots serve only for function, not fashion (although mine are pretty cute). I walked out the door and into the rain feeling somewhat courageous and original, but a little bit scared. Did my fashion dare actually render me looking like a fool?
I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown as I meandered down Pollock when a girl hurried by me wearing a dress and rain boots. I was overcome with relief.
Consider yourself lucky that you go to Penn State. If not for the amazing programs, the wealth of extracurricular activities, or abundance of alcohol, consider yourself lucky that you go to a school where you can wear anything to class and not look like an idiot.
All of the fashion tiers are represented here. There are hippies, jocks, punks, Goths, and preppies, just like high school (and the Breakfast Club). In college, however, the jocks and the cheerleaders don't have time to make fun of you for your Slipknot tee shirt and your friends don't have enough money to sneer at you when you carry your knock-off Coach purse. College is the time to experiment with your style before you are forced to conform to the "professionalism" of the real world. If you've worn polo sweaters all your life but have always yearned for a pair of checkered Vans, now is the time to go for it.
The most important aspect of Penn State fashion is that no matter who you are and what your style, you must have some Nittany Lion pride. Wearing your logo-emblazoned clothing instantly makes you in with the in-crowd. This does not mean that throwing on your Penn State sweatshirt after you roll out of bed makes you fashionable, but throwing on your sweatshirt instead of spending an hour picking an outfit doesn't automatically label you a frump.
At some schools (aka schools that aren't as awesome), the only people found wearing their school paraphernalia are the Club field hockey team that won the Division 3 title. At Penn State, especially on a game day, blue and white are the only colors you will see for miles.
Long story short, don't be afraid to wear a dress and rain boots (if it's raining). Don't be afraid to wear your fake Uggs you bought at Payless (if it's cold). Don't be afraid to wear a sundress that touches the ground (if it's hot). Don't be afraid to die your hair pink (even if you're a boy). Don't be afraid to be yourself here at Penn State and let us 42,000 other people out here know exactly who you are through your style.
-- Beth Ann Downey