How To Dress For Finals Week Without Looking Like a Homeless Person
T-minus one week until finals week, SU peeps. It’s a bittersweet feeling to realize how close we are to finishing classes. Our real break is waiting just around the corner (Thanksgiving break was a real tease).
We're all about to experience an intense week of all-nighters, procrastination reading and sharing Jerk articles *wink wink*. Drinking coffees on coffees, induling in 10 minute power naps, and doing nonstop last-minute work marathons to get whatever "it" is done. It is not too late now to say sorry to your GPA because you have this last chance to salvage what you slacked on all semester. However, one thing that you should never ever never ever slack off on are your outfits during this dreaded week.
I know, I know. You don’t even have time to eat, but that is not an excuse to look like what you feel like: absolute shit. You are tired and you really want to focus on killing that one last paper, exam, or project, so the classic go-to for library studies is sweatpants, an SU sweatshirt, and Uggs. To hell with sweatpants and your university hoodie. You are going to study hard, survive finals, and not look like a hobo with expensive ‘Cuse attire while you're at it.
The key to finals is to dress with the formula C x C– aka comfy X confidence. You are going to be sitting on your ass for hours and hours on end (beware of butt-sweat), so you might as well look and feel good while you are at it. With that said, everyone has different styles and comfort levels. I am not trying to dictate your wardrobe while you hit the books, but I can recommend some tricks for surviving this sleep depriving week.
Looking fly is the best way to boost your confidence, and boosting your confidence will help you to meet your Blackboard deadline due before 11:59 pm Monday night. Dress for yourself, your best self. “Clothing is ultimately the suit of armor in which we battle the world," at least that what Sophia Amoruso says in “#GIRLBOSS.
Here’s to battling finals and hiding the fact that you actually had a sleepover with Bird Library.
- Layers. Layers are your best friend (after coffee and Thesaurus.com) on finals week. Bring an extra layer in your bag so you can change up your look the next day when you see the outside world for the first time after 16 hours. A statement sweater or t-shirt is clutch because you won't feel like you are doing a walk of shame for studying.
- Joggers or loose fitted pants. I know you are tempted to quickly slip on a pair of sweatpants to get ahead on the finding-a-table-with-an-outlet race, but swap your unflattering sweats with a pair of fire joggers or comfy loose fitted pants. You will be cozy for the weather and comfy to study. Leggings can also be acceptable, but beware of butt-sweat with these skin-tight bottoms.
- Skirt and tights. This combination tends to become intolerable after feeling the chair and thigh friction, but if it's comfy for you... go for it. I know I hated on Uggs, but you don’t really have to worry about shoes for finals week because you’ll be sitting for the most part of your time. Any type of booties, kicks, heels, etc. that you feel will complete your C x C formula look is awesome. You will only stand up to print your research paper or for bathroom breaks so why not make that stroll your runway.
- Cozy boots. I know I hated on Uggs, but you don’t really have to worry about shoes for finals week because you’ll be sitting for the most part of your time. Any type of booties, kicks, heels, etc. that you feel will complete your C x C formula look will work. You will only stand up to print your research paper or for bathroom breaks so why not make that stroll your runway.
Here are a few beauty tips:
- Bring your face with you to the library to wake up and clean your tired face. You may want to bring make up remover and your basic make-up essentials as well, to blend in the dark circles of the post-library sleepover.
- Slightly wetting your hair and using the hand dryer as a blow dryer substitute is a great way to freshen up greasy hair. Also Up-Dos are a huge savior for bad hair days, but if that's not your style, go with a funky beanie or snapback.
Keep these simple, sneaky tips in mind when you struggle to get through your library all-nighter. We are all in survival mode on finals week, but don’t let that take over your fashionista mode. Just because you are going to be cooped up all day doesn’t me that you should not dress to impress.
¡Good luck and exito!