University Fashion: When Dressing Tells Its Own Story

University Fashion: When Dressing Tells Its Own Story

Image Credit: Pintrest

Joy Olu-Ajayi 

Every Nigerian university has its own rhythm, and that rhythm is not just about academics, it is also about how students present themselves. One of the things that can be observed about campus life is how differently students across faculties choose to dress. Some faculties have built a reputation for neatness, others for style, while a few remain the “mystery zone” where you sometimes wonder if the students rushed out of bed and ran straight to class.

Take a walk through the Faculty of Education, for example, or the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Law or even the Faculty of Medical Sciences. You will quickly notice that there is a certain standard in how students there carry themselves. The ladies in these faculties often appear well put together; whether it is a simple gown, a neatly ironed skirt and blouse, or even jeans paired with a top that says “I actually looked at myself in the mirror before leaving my hostel.” The guys, too, in these faculties usually make a very great effort. You will find clean shirts, tucked-in trousers, decent shoes, and a sense that they respect both themselves and the environment they are in. It is not about being rich or wearing designer clothes, but there is an attempt to be neat and presentable.

The ladies in the Faculty of Arts certainly make more effort than the guys. While they may not always be the most fashionable on campus, they usually come out looking neat and intentional, definitely not all, but a larger percentage. You will see gowns, skirts and tops, or jeans paired with tops; everything put together enough to show that they care about their appearance. Some experiment with colours or hairstyles now and then, but the point is, they give their dressing some thought. Compared to the guys who often look like they just rolled out of bed, the ladies at least try to maintain a presentable standard.

The guys, however, are another case entirely. Not all of them, of course, but the majority tend to dress with a level of carelessness that makes you pause. This is not to insult anyone, but to point out an ill that has been noticed overtime in the faculty. Imagine a combination of an oversized shirt, trousers that look like they have fought many battles, and then the rubber slippers which are sometimes dirty or even sometimes worn-out. To complete the look, the hair may not be brushed, the face white, and the posture saying, “I’m here for the degree, not for the fashion parade.” You start to wonder if they own a mirror or if they believe neat dressing is optional. It gets to the point where, at first glance, some of them do not even look like students; they could easily be mistaken for people that missed that way and got into the University environment. 

Why does this difference exist? Some would argue that Arts students are less bound by rigid codes, and less pressured to present a certain image. A Pharmacy or Medical student, on the other hand, is constantly reminded of the seriousness of their field because future doctors and pharmacists are expected to look like responsible professionals, even while in training. Education students, too, live with the awareness that they may soon stand in front of classrooms as role models to children, so they try to maintain the right standard. In Arts, however, the atmosphere leans more towards expression than conformity. While the ladies express themselves with beauty and style, many of the guys seem to express themselves through indifference. 

But should dressing matter in school at all? After all, the main purpose of coming to the university is to study, not to compete in a fashion contest. True, no one is saying everyone must dress like they are attending a board meeting every day. Still, there is something about neatness that speaks louder than words. Dressing decently shows self-respect, and in an environment where opportunities can spring up unexpectedly, how you look can actually open or close doors. Imagine meeting a lecturer who might one day write your recommendation letter, or bumping into a professional contact who could be impressed or unimpressed by your appearance.

This is why the difference becomes so glaring when you compare faculties. When people talk about well-dressed students, their minds quickly go to Pharmacy, Medical Sciences, and even Law. Hardly anyone mentions Arts, and when they do, it is most likely with a sigh or a laugh. The ladies carry the flag proudly, but the guys sometimes drag the reputation down with their careless outlook.

Of course, one cannot deny the realities many students face. University life in Nigeria is not easy. Not everyone has the money to buy expensive clothes or new shoes every semester. Some students struggle to keep up with fees, upkeep, and survival, so dressing may not always be a priority. But neatness does not require luxury. A clean shirt, a polished shoe, and simple grooming can make all the difference. The problem is not poverty; the problem is neglect. While some guys in Arts simply do not bother, others take pride in looking rough, as if it is part of the “struggle” and when they are confronted, they will say, “The struggle is real.”

Still, the story is not all bad. There are Arts guys who do dress well, who prove that being stylish or at least presentable is not reserved for other faculties. They are fewer in number, but they exist, and they show that the stereotype does not have to define everyone. If more Arts students paid attention to their appearance, the faculty’s image would be entirely different.

At the end of the day, dressing on campus is more than just clothes; it is an attitude. It is the difference between being remembered as “that guy in dirty clothes” or as “the neat student who always carried himself well.” The ladies in Arts have already proven that style and confidence can coexist with academics. The big question now is: WHEN WILL THE GUYS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE?