They’re the ones you see trekking to their 9 a.m. classes looking better than you — the ones whose attention you want to grab on a Friday night. Ryan Salamo and Ava Graham caught up with some of Penn State’s handsomely stylish to talk about men’s most necessary accessories. There’s more to a guy’s outfit than a shirt, pants and shoes. With a few extra touches, you can take your look from eschew to GQ. Of course, there will always be standout names that people are drawn to, but there are plenty of less expensive brands that can accomplish the look that you want to achieve without going over budget.
Watches
Though they seem antiquated now, watches will always be a timeless addition to complete an outfit. We don’t need them as much to tell time, but they still make an outfit look put-together and classy.
“My J. Crew diver watch is simple, but classic. The white face goes with most outfits. A larger face watch is noticeable without being too ostentatious,” says Joseph Brocato, a junior majoring in economics and IST.
Watches can be worn casual or dressed up depending on the style, which should be a reflection of your own personal look. The very expensive name brands include Burberry, Cartier, Rolex and Shinola. A sleek, yet affordable watch brand is MVMT. MVMT has modern watches that come in a variety of styles with interchangeable bands. Other less expensive watch brands are Guess, Hugo Boss and Fossil.
Sunglasses
Though far more popular in the summer, sunglasses can be worn in any season as long as the sun is out.
“Ray Bans, particularly aviators, are always promising for a classic look. Their wayfarer and clubmaster styles have also been gaining popularity,” says Paris Singh, a junior supply chain major. “Two of their newest looks that haven’t really caught on yet are the very summery retro and round styles.”
Oakley sunglasses are sportier and more durable for guys with active lifestyles. Stores like H&M Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters have knockaround sunglasses that are still fashionable.
Hats
We’ve all had those mornings where you wake up with a severe case of bedhead and your hair is just too messy to deal with. If you have to get out the door in five minutes, your first thought might be to throw on a hat. Hats can hide your messy hair and — when worn correctly — add to your look.
“A Penn State hat is always a reliable go-to, especially in State College. Otherwise any kind of hat that represents where you come from or something about you is a good choice,” says Ellis Driscoll, a junior chemical engineering major.
Other brands such as Herschel Supply Co., Rag & Bone and Stussy work well if the colors complement what you’re wearing. Urban Outfitters also has a collection of hats that are versatile and can fit into a variety of looks. Generic hats with different fabrics are trending right now because they go with nearly everything. Wearing baseball caps forward or backward is all a personal style choice — whichever makes you feel most comfortable is the best way it’ll look on you.