When autumn comes around the corner, the presence of fleece and sportswear overwhelms the Ball State campus. Men may want to look into wiser wardrobe choices when dressing this fall.
Taylor Groft, junior apparel design major, notices a considerable difference in the way men dress at Ball State when the weather begins to change.
"A jacket, T-shirt, jeans and sneakers are common items consistently shown in their outfits," he said. "Most men are worried about comfort."
Aside from the basics, there are trendy staples men may want to have for this fall season.
"A wool peacoat is something every man should invest in," Groft said. "It is a classic piece that never goes out of style season after season. Also, a pair of boots. It doesn't matter what kind, but it definitely gives off a vibe of masculinity as opposed to maybe a subdued pair of sneakers."
Groft's favorite shoes are his black combat boots.
"They almost always match anything I wear and say something about my personal style," he said.
Telecommunications and theatre major Bradley Wilkinson, a sales associate at American Eagle Outfitters, said that layering fall staples is a fantastic way to dress in the fall.
"I love cardigans with lots of layering, with scarves, shirts and a nice jacket," he said. "Also, you can never go wrong with a blazer. I like blazers that could look dressed up or casual."
Groft and Williams said accessorizing is a must for them, especially with scarves, jewelry and belts. It is key to visually stimulate and complete an outfit.
"A nice scarf is a great way to accent any coat and will help keep you warm when the weather starts getting colder," Groft said. "Also, statement jewelry is something that has come into style in the past few seasons."
Trends direct and progress fashion forward, but displaying independent, personal fashion puts style into action.
"My style is very different from the majority," Groft said. "I will be wearing many shades of gray and black. Some people think it's boring, but I think it's poetic."
Aaron Kelly, junior photojournalism major, said his style is subdued and quirky.
"I wear a lot of oversized, old-man sweaters," he said. "When you look at them in the rack, they look really goofy. When you put them on, they give you a creative aspect."
Trenton Bush, instructor of Family and Consumer Sciences, said men's fashion has evolved tremendously in recent history.
"In these days, it's all about having a smart, sophisticated, masculine look," Bush said. "Five years ago, if men dressed like how we dress today, they would be considered metrosexual. We are dressing a little smarter than we used to."
Even though changes in the past few seasons have been subtle, Bush said there are specific trends he sees for this fall. Cuffed pants, high socks, chunky shoes and double-breasted jackets are some of his favorites.
Bush said there are great reasons as to why men should dress more properly this fall. Stigmas against well-dressed men are falling apart he said.
"A woman loves a well-dressed man," he said. "The emphasis has been placed on whom we emulate. Thanks to the media, it's much more cool to be a part of that."
Bush recommends the men on campus to stay off the sportswear this season and look into more fashionable choices.
"Keep it clean, and definitely stay out of the hoodies, unless they fit well," he said. "We're coming off the sportswear and coming into jackets, coats and pants. Men have more ability to look sophisticated than women can, whether it's on a Dolce & Gabbana budget or an H&M budget."
But when summing up men's fashion Bush just had one thing to say: "We're dressing like a cool version of our grandfathers."
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