As essay and dissertation deadlines fly past and exams loom, the geek look has started to become more widely spotted around campus. Despite social prejudices relating to the limited fashion sense of true geeks, closer inspection would suggest that these individuals actually have their own ‘geek chic’, closely reflecting their lifestyles.
As geeks generally prefer brain over brawn, they are less likely to choose trendy clothes which may feel tight, itchy or detract from essay writing. Long hours spent studying in the library necessitate thick comfortable jumpers made of soft materials such as a wool mix, or hoodies with pouches ideal for storing pens, paper, drinks and snacks. Continuing with this desire for comfort, more traditional female geeks may wear trousers made from a cotton mix or jeans cut from soft denim, often accompanied by a short skirt worn over the top to give a more feminine look. Male geeks, on the other hand, often choose trousers made from a sturdy, durable material, ideal for walking and longevity of clothing.
When deciding what clothes to wear on the upper body, geeks tend to fall into one of two categories – those that prefer a ‘professional student’ look, or those for whom comfort is more important. ‘Professional students’ tend to wear fitted, button-up shirts with sleeve length dependant on the season. Comfort-seeking geeks are more often seen in t-shirts sporting a motto that shows off an extracurricular club of which they are members or which highlight their academic interests. Mottos which are currently popular include technical puns - ‘upgrade now – boyfriend 2.0’, binary code - ‘There are 10 kinds of people in this world: Those who understand binary code and those who don’t’, or time-honoured geek-centric jokes – ‘avoid direct sunlight’.
Most geeks seem eager to blend into the crowd as much as possible and thus tend to dress conservatively and to wear neutral colours. At the same time, they appear eager to express their individuality and thus will choose their footwear and accessories carefully. ‘Professional students’ usually complete their look with a tie on important days and at academic reviews, and smart shoes, which are usually brown in colour. Choices regarding footwear generally seem to be based on personal preferences and the season. Trainers tend to be worn on ‘dress down’ days, boots on cold winter days, and sandals are worn in summer. Sandals may be accompanied by brightly coloured socks that occasionally contrast in colour though not in make or style and toe socks are popular amongst the younger geek.
The particular hat, belt or scarf, if worn, tends to allow the geek to blend in whilst maintaining their individuality. One student, for example, has been seen around campus wearing an ordinary fleecy scarf tied in a huge bow around his neck. Of course, glasses and anoraks are ubiquitous, though glasses tend to follow wider fashion trends nowadays, with Gok’s black plastic being the most popular choice. Long curly hair is an optional extra for the more geeky guy.
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