Photos by Jessica Kerner
Dressing for Pepperdine can be a daunting task. When the girl sitting next to you in HUM 111 has a Birkin Bag worth more than a Honda Civic, and you’re pretty sure that guy at the gym was in an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog, it can be easy to develop a mild case of style anxiety. But don’t panic, gentle reader, because with these tips, you will be able to curate a wardrobe fit to carry you through all seasons by the sea and will hopefully save you from a sprained ankle in the process.
First things first: At Pepperdine, shorts are a non-negotiable — even in the winter. Even if it’s 20 degrees outside (it will never be twenty degrees outside). Yes, jeans are practical at every other school in the country, but the day you pull on a pair of pants is the day your friends will decide to make a trip to the beach, and you will be tasked with the nearly impossible feat of rolling up skinny jeans so they don’t get soaked when you take the inevitable ocean Instagram. So stock up on shorts.
A savvy Pepperdine student will also have a closet full of sensible walking shoes. Despite the fact that uttering the phrase “sensible walking shoes” will instantly age one by 30 years, the alternative is making a daily trek to the CCB in those cute sandals that don’t fit quite right, and soon enough, you’ll wind up with blisters larger than your actual feet. If you can’t completely ditch stiletto heels or leather loafers, pack some sneakers and change once you get to class. Regardless of your shoe choice, look for something with good arch support. Beauty doesn’t always have to be pain.
As a whole, Pepperdine style tends to err on the side of casual, but don’t be afraid to stand out. As tempting as it is to wear pajamas or freshly used gym clothes to class, putting some extra effort into looking well-groomed promotes a more professional image. Remember, your professors are all potential job resources, and coming to class looking sharp starts you off on the right foot. A three-piece suit isn’t necessary, but showing up to your 8 a.m. with brushed hair and matching clothes will never work against you.
A savvy Pepperdine student will also have a closet full of sensible walking shoes. Despite the fact that uttering the phrase “sensible walking shoes” can instantly age one by 30 years, the alternative is making a daily trek to the CCB in those cute sandals that don’t fit quite right, and soon enough, you’ll wind up with blisters larger than your feet. If you can’t completely ditch stiletto heels or leather loafers, pack some sneakers and change once you get to class. Regardless of which shoes you choose, look for something with good arch support. Beauty doesn’t always have to be associated with pain.
As a whole, Pepperdine style tends to err on the side of casual, but don’t be afraid to stand out. As tempting as it is to wear pajamas or freshly-used gym clothes to class, putting some extra effort into looking well-groomed will promote a more professional image. Remember, your professors are all potential job resources, and coming to class looking sharp will start you off on the right foot. Now, this doesn’t mean coming to class in a three-piece suit (unless you really want to), but showing up to your 8 a.m. with brushed hair and matching clothes will never work against you.
It might seem obvious, but a weather check before you leave the room is crucial. No one wants to be the girl wearing a lightweight skirt on a windy day. The Marilyn look is best left to Marilyn. It will also rain at least a couple times during the winter, turning main campus into one very large puddle. Invest in a good pair of boots (although rain boots will reveal the fact that you’re not from California). A jacket with a hood isn’t something to scoff at either. No one likes the kid whose rain-soaked hair drips all over his or her homework.
The most important rule about dressing for Pepperdine, however, is that you should never be ashamed of who you are. Pepperdine doesn’t have a thriving goth population, but if wearing all black makes you feel warm and fuzzy, go for it. Even if some of the warm-and-fuzzy feeling is from the impending heat stroke. It’s okay if you don’t have the money to invest in a wardrobe straight from Bloomingdale’s; wear that Forever 21 dress to formal with pride. And if you have cash to burn, don’t feel guilty about putting on a Prada suit for lunch at the Caf. People may try to tell you to look, dress or act a certain way, but at the end of the day, you need to be true to yourself. So don’t be afraid to break the mold and surprise people. Wear what makes you happy.
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Follow Jessica Kerner on Twitter: @The_Kernster
