As the spring semester gets underway, soon-to-be graduating seniors will begin, if they… As the spring semester gets underway, soon-to-be graduating seniors will begin, if they haven’t already, to dread the inevitable question: “So, what are you going to do after you graduate? Are you prepared?”

It’s fair to say that a substantial number have begun to consider life after college – yes, there is a life outside of the Pittsburgh home we’ve known these past four years. But while we’re mentally preparing for the anticipated commencement, have we prepared our wardrobes? Professors and career advisers always say college prepares you for the real world, but are you really prepared if your clothing isn’t?

It’s relatively easy for girls to make the transition – most of us women own a few sets of dress clothes we’ve worn for special events throughout our college career. But for most guys, it’s quite the opposite.

Let’s reflect.

Guys enter college with their old, high-school clothing, and if they are interested at all in looking nice, they may have a few newer pieces that their girlfriends (or any other influential female in their life) convinced them to purchase.

The majority of college guys don’t have much money, so purchasing dress clothes and business attire is way out of the question. Unless their fraternity is hosting a special event or they attend church regularly, suits and business clothes are, for the most part, useless.

So, what’s the litmus test for properly preparing for your fashionable future? And what’s a desperate, male college student to do?

It’s easy: Just start now.

We can all begin by buying, in moderation, a few pieces that will be of great use for the professional world. I’m not encouraging you to run to a local department store and purchase a wool, three-piece suit, but acquiring a few professional accessories surely won’t hurt.

Guys should start by buying a black or brown belt and a nice pair of dress shoes. These can be worn with jeans and casual khakis as well as with a suit for your soon-to-be profession. If money is an issue, begin by purchasing a black belt – it’s more versatile and can be worn during any season.

A man can also never go wrong with a crisp, white dress shirt. Not only does white complement everyone, but you can either dress it up with dress pants, or dress it down with khakis or shorts. But try not to wear it as a casual shirt all the time; it may become worn-looking and un-crisp.

Another staple of the aspiring male professional’s wardrobe is the sport coat. Blazers and sport coats are perfect for year-round comfort and go with practically everything. Blazers and sport coats are so versatile that they even come in tweed and wool to keep you warm during the fall and winter months. And with denim being a hot commodity these days, you can even find blazers in denim, providing a more casual and relaxed appearance.

Moreover, when the typical male college student shops, he purchases wrinkle-resistant and easy-to-wash clothing that requires a very small amount of maintenance. While buying all light or colored cottons is sensible (especially when you can throw everything in one wash load), being practical is too impractical for the real world.

Average male – and even female – students don’t think twice about wearing worn jeans and sweatshirts as they rush off class. And because our hectic schedules are so jam packed with things to complete, we strive for comfort and stability in our clothing.

Although it may be trivial to own an abundance of business-professional clothing during our college careers, those of us graduating soon need to prepare for life in the “outside” world. And what a better time to start than the present?

Is your wardrobe prepared for life after college? If not, you’d better e-mail Deena at [email protected].