From Plato to Plato’s Closet: Fits at Hillsdale 

Written by Kate Cavanaugh

Hillsdale College looks to the Western tradition as a source of study. But Plato, Aristotle, and the Great Books aren’t the only things we conserve. Like college students of the past, Hillsdale students usually dress with class, for class. Why dress up in a generation where sweats, leggings, and slides are everyday wear for most college students?

Hillsdale students recognize the effort our professors put into their lectures. We want the profs to know we care about the class, so we put in the effort by dressing well. Learning is not always comfortable. Asking questions in class can be nerve-wracking. Being cold-called can be even more intimidating. Dressing the part is a good start. It shows you’re awake, interested, and willing to put in more effort than just rolling out of bed. So, what if you’ve only dressed for comfort throughout high school? Don’t fret: here are some tips for both guys and gals to smooth the transition. 

For the guys:

It can be difficult to find a comfortable balance between a suit and a sweatsuit. Class is not a formal event, so unless you have an interview, presentation, or it’s pin day, you’ll want to wear something a little more casual. To find your own style, you’ll have to ask yourself some deep questions: Are you a khakis kind of guy? Do you like polos or button downs?

  1. Anything with buttons 

Buttons are usually a sign of class to most of American culture. If your shirt has buttons, that’s usually a good sign that you should wear it to class: polos and button-ups are always a safe bet. If your closet is full of band t-shirts, don’t fret. You can still look smart if you style them correctly. By “styling them correctly,” I mean wear them with real pants. See step two.

  1. Anything but basketball shorts

If you are wanting to look professional or just nice for class: wear pants. Real pants (khakis, chinos, and even jeans) will make you look more put together. Pants show you care. If you need to hype yourself up more, celebrate Green Pants Day. Green Pants Day was founded when several students coincidentally wore green pants on the same Thursday. Or, try a reward system. Save the shorts and sweats for casual Friday. 

  1. Arbitrarily add blazers

A friend of mine told me that he was wearing blazers with whatever he wore to class to see if he came off as more professional. “I got lots of compliments,” he told me. Adding a sport coat is an easy way to look more put together. If you need a warmer layer, a wool jacket can make almost any outfit look sharp. 

  1. Any shoes you want

The right pair of shoes can add a casual flair to a more serious outfit. Plus, they make for a more comfy walk up the hill. A pair of Nike Air Forces can add a sporty look if you’re sad about leaving your favorite baseball cap in the closet. High top Converse in a bright color gives that quirky edge that many Hillsdalians are pursuing.  

For the Girls: 

You can still wear comfy clothes with personality while looking professional. You don’t have to suffer and wear heels up the hill to look cute. Here are some little ways to add a more formal flare to a comfy weekend outfit.  

  1. Sweaters instead of sweatshirts

Avoid itchy material, and your sweaters will be just as warm and cozy as your favorite sweatshirt. Try on different sweaters to find which neckline you like best: do you like to bury your face in a cozy cowl neckline? Do you prefer the simple, cool, and casual crew neck? Feeling academic? Try a button-up under a V-neck sweater. Channeling your inner ’80s girlie? Try a boldly patterned sweater vest. Make sure to layer a t-shirt or tank top underneath in case it’s too hot inside or too cold outside.  

  1. Trousers are secretly sweatpants

If you lived in leggings as a teenager, you can upgrade to comfy-feeling but classy-looking trousers. Whether they are plain, patterned, or plaid, they’ll add a chic look with a comfy fit. Figure out what waistline and fit you feel most comfortable in. Ties, pleats, high-rise, low-rise, wide-leg, cropped: you don’t have to wear a cookie-cutter Pinterest outfit to look put together!    

  1. Accessories do more than you think

Adding details to an outfit makes you look put together. Pearl earrings or gold hoops add class to a simple outfit. Statement earrings can be a fun way to add personality to something you’ve worn several times in the past three weeks. I like to have go-to minimal earrings that I wear almost every day, and then a few statement earrings to add when I have the time. Check out the local boutiques—Birdie’s and Howell or Maggie Anne’s—if you’re looking for something new!

  1. A cute hairstyle makes any outfit a fit

Instead of aimlessly scrolling, try looking up hairstyle inspiration on Pinterest or adding YouTube tutorials to your watch later playlist. A unique hairstyle, even something as simple as adding a headband or claw clip, adds a fun but put-together flair to just a t-shirt and jeans. 

These are just a few tips for styling pieces in a classy, put-together way. But it’s always fun to see people’s unique styles on campus, so at the end of the day, just wear what you love. Show off the local vibes of your state of origin: wear those Birkenstocks or cowboy boots, or incorporate your Patagonia or your L.L. Bean jacket into the fit. Your local flair is part of the fun of going to a college that brings in students from 49 states.

Now that you’ve got your buttons, your “real pants,” and your best-loved accessories, you’re ready to show your prof and peers that you’re putting effort into the class. Congratulations, you’re preserving the Western tradition…in more ways than one. 

Kate Cavanaugh, ’23, is an English major who flirts with graphic design in her spare time. Besides writing for the blog, she can be found mastering the creation of faux London fogs at Saga. She can also be glimpsed power-walking to her one o’clock, as the making of faux london fogs can be time consuming.

Published in October 2022