Manolo the Columnist: Nolan from Franco Sarto
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
Dear Manolo,
Next week, I’m going back to college to finish my degree. Sixteen years ago, before I quit school and started working, I never had any doubt about what to wear, or how to comport myself. Now, I’m in my mid-thirties and lost. What should I wear during my first week to make a good impression? Please keep in mind that I’m just a poor (returning) college student.
Stacy
Manolo says, from what the Manolo can see, the modern college students generally dress like the mental patients, in stain-resistant, loose-fitting clothing with drawstrings. Au currant for the young ladies are colorful sweatshirts and pajama bottoms, while the young gentlemen favor the sweatpants and novelty t-shirts.
And on their feets are the cheap flip-flops, shoes that induce in their wearer the sort of shuffling, shambling gait that goes well with the shabby clothing.
But then, when you are 18 years of age, it does not matter what you wear. Youthful beauty and vigor trump even in the most ridiculous of costumes, which is why the fashion designers hire willowy teenagers to model their clothing. However, for those of us whom eighteen is the distant memory, artifice, guile, and the keen eye for fashion must substitute for the natural advantages of youth.
This is why the Manolo suggests that the older students adopt the “business casual” standards for the on-campus wear. Treat your time back in the school as the job. Be more serious in comportment and attire than the average student and you will succeed admirably.
Here is the Nolan from Franco Sarto, the reasonably priced, mid-heel loafer that will distinguish you as the person who is there to learn, not par-tay.
Well-played, Manolo! Miss J believes she will get a pair for her work place. On busy days, when Miss J’s on her feet a lot, the high heels are getting to be too much.
And my quiz team, who all work in a university, have just been bemoaning the clothing of the current university student (female, New Zealand), who seems to spend hours in the morning applying make-up and wears the shorty-shorts or mini-dress with black tights and the high heeled shoes. “Where are the jeans and sloppy brown sweaters?” we have been asking ourselves. We are blaming the influence of the overseas students from Asian countries, who are the junior fashion plates, even at the early lectures.
But, having been a “mature student” myself, I would recommend the comfortable clothing. Also, there is nothing wrong with the 30-something having fun at university. Many of the 10-years-younger classmates with whom one parties become life-long friends, providing friendly faces, local knowledge, and places to stay while visiting the foreign countries to which their post-doctoral fellowships have taken them.