Dress Well, Test Well?

A good friend of mine practically lives by the motto of “Dress well, test well”. She firmly believes that when she dresses more attractively she performs better on exams, and I have to say, she has the grades to back it up.

photo courtesy of Radio Netherlands Worldwide

So,wear your pajamas to class and wind up with an F? Don your prom dress and receive an A? Not quite, but you get the gist.  You may think it wise to wear loose, baggy clothing to an exam to maximum comfort when you’re mind is quite uptight and stressed. However, while there is nothing wrong with feeling relaxed in your clothes, dressing in a way that’s too cozy my actually hinder your focus and ability on test day.

Think of it this way. You have to dress the part. If you’re dressed to snuggle into bed and take a nap, you may be more inclined to “sleep” your way through important parts of class. But, if you dress well in a way that makes you feel confident and sure of yourself, you’re more likely to exhibit this pride on an exam and reap the results. But, how do you dress nicely without feeling rigid, stiff, or overdone? Follow the tips below for achieving maximum comfort and minimum sloppiness with these polished looks:

Patterned Leggings:

Leggings are comfortable and a chic alternative to their sloppier sister, the sweatpant. Choose a patterned legging, which happen to be very in vogue for fall fashion and pair with a white tee for an unbelievably simple yet stylish look.

Urban Outfitters, $29

Maxi Skirt or Dress:

If it’s a little warmer outside or pants just aren’t your thing you can still feel relaxed and look put together with a long skirt or dress. The length of a maxi skirt or dress looks elegant and is highly practical. You won’t have to sit with your legs crossed for three hours as you might in a high waisted miniskirt.

ASOS.com, $73.30

Soft Jeans:

Denim might imply durable but that doesn’t mean all jeans have to have that rigid, firm feel. Many brands are now introducing softer, elastic denim fabric. These jeans may feel like pajamas but they’ll still look like the classic blues. Pair with mostly any sort of top, the pants themselves will do most of the work to make your outfit look polished and neat.

Topshop, $38

Although we’ve established that it’s important to look put together, dressing well does not always call for extravagance, and definitely not in this context. Simplicity might not be key on your open response section but it certainly is when it comes to what to wear to stay comfortable during the exam.

Avoid:

1. BELTS: Belts are a cute accessory but unless you really need one to keep your pants up, forgo a buckle for a couple hours while you take the test. You may find the metal digging into your stomach or the inflexibility of the band to be bothersome. If you must, go with a cloth or ribbon belt.

2. EXCESSIVE JEWELRY: Not only will clanking bracelets be disruptive to your classmates but they’ll also be incredibly annoying while you’re trying to write that 500 word open response. Omit rings, watches, and any sort of wristbands and settle for simple earrings or a necklace instead.

3.HAIR ACCESSORIES: Hats, sunglasses, headbands, and even clips can be a no go on test day. You do not want to deal with any and all of these items falling from their perfect position on your head or in your hair as you’re also balancing 100 multiple choice questions. Wear hair down or in a neat ponytail instead.

Featured image from: Silver Fox Report

Tags: baggy clothing, class clothes, clothes for tests, comfortable clothing, exams, fall fashion, featured, featured image, gist, leggings, long skirt, maxi dress, maxi skirt, maximum comfort, prom dress, radio netherlands, soft jeans, tests, Urban Outfitters, white tee

Category: Fashion