Casual Fridays and even more casual football weekends may seem tempting, but this Fashionisto proves that dressing well can extend even to the least formal of days. The Notre Dame campus may have been focusing on football last Friday, but fashionable fans were equally abuzz about this elegant take on a classic pattern. Dressing up jeans with an eye-catching gingham button-down, our Fashionisto of the week nails a perfectly polished look with a relaxed air.
Name: Connor Hayes
Major: Political Science and Peace Studies
Year in School: Freshman
College Fashionista: What are you wearing?
Connor Hayes: Pro-Keds sneakers, Gap jeans, Dockers belt, J.Crew shirt and a Calvin Klein tie.
CF: Do you have any style icons?
CH: I don't really have any icons that I look up to and base my style on; I just like to get ideas for styles from people that I see in public. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, though, is someone that I definitely admire for his ability to use formal items, like a vest and tie, while still having a look that is very casual.
CF: What are your wardrobe staples?
CH: Definitely the three pairs of Pro-Keds that I own. I feel like shoes are often one of the most neglected items in men's fashion, but to me they're one of the most important; shoes can make or break an entire outfit. The thing I love about certain shoe brands like Pro-Keds, or dressier lines of sneakers done by Adidas or Nike, is that they're so versatile; you could wear them with shorts and a T-shirt, or with a blazer, shirt, tie and khakis, and they still work with the outfit.
CF: Why should guys want to dress well in college?
CH: On a college campus like Notre Dame, you're very likely to just run into a variety of incredible people – the university president, an all-star professor who you really want to do research with, or even your next date – that you certainly want to make a good impression on. So I think the concept of “dress for success” really holds true here, even on a daily basis – and because of this, I think every guy should want to dress well at all times.
CF: Do you have any advice for the gentlemen who want to step up their fashion game?
CH: Start with the little things; pick out accessories like a good versatile watch and a neutral but fashionable belt. Also, be sure to make your outfit look as clean as possible; don't be afraid to tuck in your shirt depending on the outfit, and be sure to avoid the little (but all too common) mistakes, like leaving a collar's buttons undone.
How To: Isaac Mizrahi once stated that gingham “is like a solid with a lot of personality.” Treat as such – dress it up or down and don’t be afraid to try colors other than blue. This sport shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren combines burgundy with a soft cream, and this Burberry dress shirt utilizes a muted lilac. Make sure the check size complements your look; big checks distract the eye but small checks become lost in the mix. To dress up Connor’s look even further, add a tailored neutral blazer like this one from Gant. Complete the look with a solid silk tie and your choice of shoes.
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