For many young men, comfort, affordability and style compose the recipe for fashion success. This fall at Sacramento State, men’s wear is being transformed and redefined as students create their own unique styles.

At Express for Men, the typical college guy can find plenty of outfits to look his best. According to Express manager Selina Buron, men love denim. “Denim [is] our number one selling item” she said. “It’s part of the staple of anyone’s closet.”

“All around campus, I see all kinds of people wearing those faded jeans, ” said senior Chris Watkins. He prefers cargo shirts, t-shirts and regular jeans. “I don’t need anything too flashy. I like casual clothes.” Watkins named Old Navy as one of his favorite shops.

“Down jackets are always popular,” said Eddie Bauer employee Sandra Rodriguez. Sweatshirts with logos on them are also hits with shoppers there.

For some, fashion is about what’s hot and what’s not. But smart dressers don’t follow trends blindly. Just ask junior Ryian Carter. “Don’t just wear what the other guy is wearing,” Carter said. “You’ve gotta create your own style. One minute something is in, then it’s out,” said Carter. “I like to look nice and keep up with trends, but it doesn’t make me or break me. Be yourself and make your own look.”

Carter notices velour jumpsuits and do-rags among the hip-hop group, as well as other trends. “Right now braids are going out [of style],” Carter explained. “A lot of my friends are cutting their hair.”A variety of stores cater to the urban look, like Getta Clue and Foot Action. According to Donald McCall, a Foot Action employee, consumers buy more than just shoes like Jordans and Air Force Ones at his store. “People buy velour suits by Rocawear, Sean John and Enyce,” he said.

“A lot of skateboard stuff is in right now,” said Zumiez employee Shaun Grimm. His store has a large collection of products for fans of the aforementioned “skater” look. “Up here in Sacramento, Independent’s pretty big,” Grimm said. Brand names like Independent, Puma, DC and Element fly off the shelves. Their logos adorn numerous skateboards, shirts, sweatshirts, hats and wallets, among other things.

Skaters also like flex-fit hats – a style modeled after the adjustable baseball caps with stretch headbands. “We sell a lot of stretchable caps,” said Emily Gomez, a store clerk for Pac Sun. “Sometimes people want other types of caps, but the flex fits are in demand.”

There’s a smorgasbord of apparel out there for the stylish young man, but the question remains: “What should you wear before leaving the house?”

That’s a question most guys ask themselves before they leave to go to school, work, out on a date or elsewhere. But for some Sac State students, the answer’s just not that important.

“At Sac State, I think half of the people care about their appearance,” said sophomore David Campos. “I think most people try to create their own fashion.”

Campos thinks most students dress more casually at school than they do anywhere else. “Well, you’re at school, not at work or anything. What’s the point?”

Others on campus agree. “I’m not really into clothes,” said senior Ian Noumov. “I’m more casual.”

Like many guys, Campos and Noumov just wear what they want and what they find comfortable. Of course, affordability is also a big concern, especially in college, when most guys scrounge for cash to afford the most basic needs.

Noumov hunts for discounts and buys many of his summer clothes during the fall season when prices are low. “I normally buy everything that’s on sale.” Some people are even more frugal. “I don’t even shop, man,” senior Tim Aguerre said. “I rarely ever buy new clothes.” Ask Aguerre about the outfits in his closet and he will tell you that they’re basically the same one’s he’s had for years. “I’m not big on fashion myself. I don’t pay attention,” he said.

With so much out there, deciding what to wear can be a tough choice for any guy to make. As always, the proper attire depends on the time of year, but no look is set in stone, and the right thing to wear all depends on you and your sense of style.

Read the second part of this article here