Two types of men go to college - professors and students. There are also maintenance men and security men but they don't count because they usually have to wear a uniform. The trend in college is for professors to dress down in order to gain more rapport with their students and for students to dress to impress their friends. Although there are cliques in college it is not quite as amplified as it is in high school, unless you live in a frat house where everything is over-amplified.
There is, in general, more freedom in college to be yourself. You can express yourself and develop you own personal style. It never ceases to amaze that rebellious youth wears outrageous fashion in order to be different, only to end up looking exactly like their peers. It is OK to copy your friends if you really like the look, no matter how outrageous it may seem to anyone else, but don't copy them just because you are too intimidated to wear what you really like. This is the time of your life to have it your way and create the adult you want to become.
Preppy Ties
If you want to wear a suit and tie to economics class go ahead or if you prefer to dress like a Rastafarian do that instead. The point is to create your own self-identity. You are now in charge of your own destiny.
For most in college, it means wearing something comfortable that makes you feel good about yourself. That goes for the professors also. There are of course generic types that you can fill. The jock, the nerd, the preppy, the frat-boy, are examples but why get stuck in stereotypes?
There are a few common sense tips that will help you look better while you are at school. Make sure your clothes fit, too baggy and too tight are now both out of fashion. Save the sweat pants for the gym or for playing basketball. You probably don't want to wear anything that looks like what your mother thought looked so cute on you when you were in the sixth grade.
It has not yet been long enough for that style to go retro and return as a new fashion trend. Some guys can still look good in a pair of shorts when they are college age, others look like they are still a baby when they wear shorts. The thing to do is try on a pair and if they make you feel younger than your age then you are not the kind of guy that can wear them. Every once and awhile you may have to wear a suit, for example to go to a funeral or the Dean's dinner party or even to church so you probably should have at least one nice suit. Think of it as practicing for the job interviews that will happen after you get out of college. For budget purposes, it is best to stay with cloths that have utility, meaning they don't wear out fast and don't go out of fashion in a few minutes. That is why jeans and t-shirts will probably never leave the culture of the human race and are worn frequently at college. Round out your wardrobe with nice clean shoes, not worn out sneakers. Then you have what you need to be dressed for college.
Fashion on Campus - A Look at College Clothes