We are at the point in the semester where students find themselves living in the library. While you tell yourself every year that this semester will be different and that you won’t end up cramming until the library turns off the lights, it can be easy to fall back into old habits. The comfort of reaching for your joggers, hoodies, and even your pyjamas (yes, I have seen this) can be all too tempting as we drown in the deep waters of assignment season. We have all regretted at some point not starting your assignment sooner or spending more time studying for that exam, so I don’t think that you have time to regret your fashion choices. What you choose to wear may seem like an insignificant detail amongst all the looming deadlines, but it has been proven time and time again that if you are feeling your best you will perform your best. Dressing for success is a tale as old as time and if you are lucky enough to be on StudyTok, you will see a recurring theme of ‘readiness’ – none of these influencers are cosied up in matching sweat-sets under the duvet, they get fully ready for the day even if they are just studying from home. The act of getting dressed in the morning has a psychological impact on how we approach the day, and during the busiest point in the semester, we need to be ready to take the day head on. I want to show you how to dress like the academic weapon that you aspire to be.

How to Dress for Success

The power of your clothing cannot be understated and the ability to dress for success can be crucial in getting you the correct mindset for exams, studying and general productivity. It’s less about how others perceive us and more about how we act when we wear certain clothes. When we feel good we often have more confidence and higher self-esteem, which makes us more productive and therefore leads to better performance. I know that it is a lot easier said than done to reach for a fully polished outfit each morning as opposed to our trusty leggings, but even the slightest shift in personal dress code can increase your chances of having a productive day. Who knew a pair of jeans could yield such power? There are links between productivity and behaviour improvements in terms of focusing on the task at hand in the workplace while wearing clothes that make you feel good. These findings can translate directly to college life where what you wear can make a difference – the importance of your wardrobe and its impact on your life is unparalleled if you want to make the most out of your study window.

Dark Academia

The literary aesthetic of dark academia expresses an adoration for all things academic – moody libraries, leather bound books and gothic campuses. While social media has been a catalyst for skyrocketing the popularity of this trend, it has its roots in the classics of literature, art, and poetry.

The trend is focused on the idolisation of knowledge and productivity which is reflected through these dark fashion statements. The look allows people to dress as if they live in a different time period and therefore they start to act as if they do. Looking back at the literary images conjured up by Oscar Wilde and Virginia Wolfe, there is a romanticism surrounding the academic world of their time. The glamourisation of education is layered in academic validation and the superiority complex of getting up at 5am to study – but do all students need a sprinkle of this in our lives? Is productivity not rooted in academic validation? The portrayal of this so-called ‘academic weapon’ through the clothes that we wear is one way of pointing us in the direction of academic greatness. This trend doesn’t sacrifice comfort for style, it marries the two together by combining structured blazers and tailored trousers with woollen jumpers and cosy layers. While the full ensemble may not be everyone’s cup of tea, picking up elements of this aesthetic could put you in that academic mind space.

*Elle Woods from* Legally Blonde *(2001)*

Inspiration in the Media

Dressing for success is a concept which we often see in TV and film and looking to the media for inspiration can be a great place to find the motivation to get dressed up each morning. Legally Blonde is a classic example of a film layered in academic greatness, with Elle’s transformation from sorority sweetheart to an aspiring lawyer – all in a hot pink pants suit. No matter what her ambitions are, Elle is always dressed for the occasion and this paired with her drive is a perfect recipe for academic success. Equally, Emma Watson embodies productivity dressing on and off the big screen. Her polished look is symbolic of her academic advocacy and the evolution of her style from her Harry Potter years to her elegant thirties has had a continuous thread of scholarly flair. Her film persona, Hermione Granger, is of a studious nature, and many feel inspired by her classic and timeless style.

I am a constant preacher of the phrase ‘Dress for the job that you want, not for the job that you have’ as a form of drive and manifestation. As the end of the semester is looming, take note of what you reach for in your wardrobe and what it says about the kind person you are and who you want to be. What is the difference in the clothes you reach for all the time versus what makes you feel good as you start the day?. A simple swap from tracksuits to tailored pants could be the difference in your academic breakthrough. The academic weapon is more of a mindset than a fashion statement but by beginning the academic journey in your wardrobe, you are setting yourself up for the best possible chance at academic greatness.

How to Dress like an Academic Weapon

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