CLASSY CLOTHING

When preparing for a class, one has to buy books, double check the class schedule and find out where the classes are being held. The first week of classes can be draining and hectic, but one of the best parts of preparing for school is picking out what you are going to wear. Many people on campus claim to wear sweatpants and a T-shirt to every class, but there are the few who put time and effort into how they look. The golden rule of dressing for class is the better you look, the better you will perform, and freshman Alison Cooper agrees. \n"Dress affects how your professor sees you," Cooper said. "You should look conservative or at least nice for class."\nCooper said for music for the listener, a class where many people struggle to get a B, she would dress in khakis and a nice shirt. She feels dressing in a more conservative manner would help her get a better grade. \nOne thing many people keep in mind at IU is to dress for the occasion. Ashton Jones, a freshman, said she would dress totally different for chemistry as opposed to dressing a little more laid-back for the infamous hip-hop class. \n"I would wear more formal clothes for chemistry, like a straight skirt or nice pants and something more like a pair of low-cut jeans and a tank top and sneakers for the hip-hop class," Jones said. \nThere are so many different activities and classes to take at IU that dressing in the morning can leave people feeling overwhelmed. Most people find solace in fashion magazines and resources that can guide people in school shopping and trend spotting. Editors at magazines such as Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, and InStyle are swearing by animal prints and over-embellished accessories. According to the Pantone Color Book Report for fall 2004, clothes in shades of purple, blue and magenta are must-haves if you want to obtain this season's look. \nAn article in the Pantone Color Book states: "Fall's heritage shades are expressed in luxurious fabrics such as tweed, boucles, jacquards and embroideries often mixed with antique metallics presented in combinations that are striking and unexpected." \nLauren Davis, a senior and sales representative at Pitaya on Kirkwood Avenue, said there are plenty of different ways to wear fall's new looks even on campus. One of the more popular classes on campus is history of rock 'n' roll, and Davis said she would wear an outfit that is fitting for a class with a such a laid-back atmosphere.\n"I would wear something with more of a vintage style. Something like a vintage rock T-shirt and cuff jeans," she said. \nConsidering cuffed jeans are in this fall, Davis said Pitaya is selling a lot of boot-cut jeans, and as of Sunday, it only had one pair of cuffed denim jeans left.\nThough Cooper is a fan of casual dressing, she said she would dress differently for a literature or political science class where you have to give your opinions on important issues. \n"I would cover up; I wouldn't show a lot of skin," she said. "I always cover up, but for a class like that I would wear pants and a nice shirt." \nDavis also said she would dress up a little more for a literature class. \n"I would probably wear a boot-cut jean with a tank and a nice sweater over it, or a cardigan," Davis said. \nIn the August issue of InStyle, it suggests having an A-line skirt (shaped like the letter A) and at least two blazers. You can dress both pieces up or down. \n"We have a lot of A-line skirts, blazers and short jackets," Davis said. "I think an A-line skirt can be worn really dressy or casual. If you wanted to dress it up for class you could wear them with ballerina slippers or T-line shoes." \nIf you're looking to accessorize, the Pantone Color Book suggests fur and decorative purses. The Color Book states: "By far, fall's strongest trend in accessories is fur, dyed in the season's vintage palette, lending Old World glamour to scarves, shrugs, wraps and muffs." \nIf you're looking for accessories to match this season's vintage trend Cactus Flower on Kirkwood Avenue and the Antique Mall at 331 W. 7th St. are the best bets for purses, brooches and hats in Bloomington. So if you're dressing up for chemistry or are looking laid-back for hip-hop, there are plenty of places for shopping in B-Town.