Unpacking Syracuse Frat Boy Fashion

“Wow Chad, you’re just so cute in your Nike high socks!”

by CHLOE HECHTER ★ OCTOBER 12, 2020

“Chad wore a Roots shirt to my house today. He, like, tried,” I texted my friend, knowing deep down that it was incomparable to the hours I’d spent picking out the denim shorts that made it seem like I wasn’t trying too hard, yet somehow still suggested that I care. Style is, in essence, a form of self-expression. While oftentimes for college girls this means sweatpants and a hoodie, there is a certain thought process that goes into which sweatpants and hoodie combo we choose as to appear a certain way. Speaking on behalf of myself and my friends, an embarrassing amount of time and energy is consumed with what to wear daily, and oftentimes I’ll consult a group-chat and go through a solid twelve outfit changes before making a final decision—whether that be to feel good about myself, impress other girls, or, tragically, impress Chad.

Ever wonder what the boys have to say? What’s going on in their head when they slide on those Nike high socks and so elegantly tuck them into their joggers? I often find myself questioning whether guys curate their ‘fits as much as I do or if they truly have the luxury of not really giving a sh*t. Frat boys tend to have a certain TradeMark Style (of course), and I’ve always wondered whether this fashion phenomenon was the product of some secret bro-code or simply a norm that’s been adapted by The Modern Pledge over time. 

I took it upon myself to ask the following three frat boys just how much goes into their everyday looks, whether it be for class or a social event. Are we correct to assume that there’s a crazy huge double standard when it comes to dressing to impress, or are the boys just as neurotic as we are?

What would you wear on a typical class day?

*Jared: “Joggers tucked into socks. Kinda a classic look—that’s what I rock. If it’s under 40 degrees, you GOTTA have the Timberlands. Layering is a huge thing—like a flannel over a hoodie. My roommate agrees with me. One thing I have to stress is that hoodie variety is essential. You can’t be that guy who’s wearing the same hoodie two or three times a week.”

Nick: “Everywhere you go, someone is watching; I like to present myself everywhere I go. I usually wear joggers, a Polo t-shirt or sweatshirt, and Adidas UltraBoosts—I have five plus pairs. Pretty much every guy in the world would know what those are.” I did not. “If I want to be a little more classy, I’ll wear blue khaki pants. Also, I’m a big hoodie wearer. And I have this one chain that I never take off. I also always wear a watch.”

Tommy: “I wear sweatpants that cinch at the bottom—I can’t wear sweatpants that flare. I tuck them into socks—hot take, the Adidas ones are more comfortable than the Nike ones. Usually just grey sweatpants with a long-sleeve t-shirt or letters, and white vans, which I see now is SO typical frat guy. That or white high-top Converse are the only two shoes that make sense for this time of year.”

*Jared signs onto the call with a tapestry hanging behind him that shows class and sophistication; the tapestry reads: “Buttwieser.” 

How much thought goes into choosing your outfit on a daily basis?

Jared: “Depends on the day. I would say I care a three out of 10 as far as effort. If I’m hungover, I go for whatever’s at the top of the drawer. It’s minimal—I go for comfort, not impression. It’s just a mindset.”

Nick: “Never planned an outfit in my life. I decide what I wanna wear in a minute—if I try it on and don’t like the look, I’ll change. Just wear what makes you happy. I wanna wear what makes me feel good as f*ck—I guess most guys pay less mind to self-consciousness, especially in regards to what they wear.”

Tommy: “Actually, like, 10 seconds. If that. I’m just like, what’s clean? What’s already folded? The most thought is what the weather is. I’ll ask Siri, ‘Hey what’s the temperature in Syracuse,’ and then base it off of that.”

What are some of your favorite brands?

Jared: “I’m always rockin’ Polo shirts. Lululemon also rocks. H&M is super cheap, looks good, and is comfortable—and I wear letters, of course. I’m a big hat guy—forwards or backwards. Strictly dad hats or visors. Flat brimmed hats are NOT it. Sometimes a bucket hat is okay when you’re feeling adventurous.”

Nick: “I like to buy clothes that nobody else has—I don’t like to be complacent. I wear a lot of NASA shirts... and I don’t like Vineyard Vines. Vineyard Vines makes it look like I’m trying too hard. I’m a huge sneakerhead--I have a pair of sneakers for every outfit. I HATE to be cliche.” 

Tommy: “Nike for the socks. Champion for sure, especially the sweatpants. I wear a lot of Patagonia jackets, letters, and... uh... I always wear Hanes boxers.”

What if (in a hypothetically COVID free world) you’re going out and meeting *girls?*

Jared: “I feel confident in anything I wear. Guys in my frat gotta rock the Polo or Jersey—sometimes a beer or bar t-shirt. We never discuss and plan outfits.”

Nick: “Everywhere I go, I keep the cologne on me. Can’t step out of the house without cologne Kenneth Cole reaction—never shoving Axe body spray down anyone’s throat.” Nick then gave me a cologne demonstration. “Dark, nice pants...maybe khaki pants or burgundy joggers. I’ll go for a tight fitting athletic shirt--show off a little skin, a little muscle...maybe a button down, but unbutton the top few buttons. And, of course, the watch, always.”

Tommy: “If I’m going out, I give my clothes a little more thought. Maybe I’ll iron something.” What an upstanding gentleman. “I’ll wear khaki shorts with a nicer t-shirt, or maybe a button down with the first few buttons undone. I have a pair of Vans that are meant to get dirty. Guys never consult each other, not even if the girl they like is gonna be there. The thing is to act like you don’t care, especially to your guy friends. If I was a girl, I’d be more nervous—like, am I too overdressed? Am I too chill?”

Well boys, I suppose if you’re only taking two seconds to decide what you wear, I can only hope that you take a little more time to shower and put on deodorant. Tragically, my theory on the grossly prevalent double-standard has been proven correct—somehow, the mentality behind finding the perfect outfit need not apply to frat bros. While it might take me three hours just to pick from my fourteen different black cropped tops so Derrick from Pi Apple Psi-cho will put his hand on the small of my back for ten seconds, according to real-time source data, his entire thought process was a simple Polo and some Vans.

This piece was inspired by Scarlett Diaz’s article in Distraction Magazine.