The geeks have taken over the world. And this time they are stepping it up in their fashionable best. Here’s how you can join the group by getting the style right.
geek chic
Pronunciation: /ˈgikˈʃik/
noun
[mass noun] informal
oxymoronic description of fashion clothing previously worn by geeks and now considered the very definition of cool:
She’s way into geek-chic style and she pulls it off so well.
A few years (maybe more than a few years) ago, the news that I had to wear spectacles had me in a bit of a conundrum. While I loved the idea of wearing glasses, the thought that it was going to take down my style quotient by several levels was a little unappetizing. At that point of time, spectacles and fashion just did not go hand-in-hand. Today, it’s a whole new story. I know people who wear spectacles just because it makes them a little cooler, and a lot edgier. Why? Welcome to the fiefdom of the trend more popularly known as geek chic.
Quirky, whimsical, and cute: That’s how you would describe this look; and it’s been getting some major attention on and off the ramp. If you want to master this look, there are some essentials that you simply must have in your wardrobe. These 7 essentials will help you geek up an otherwise normal outfit and give you that spunk you need, albeit in a slightly nerdy way.
The Seven Rulers of the Geek Chic Look
The thing about this style is that it’s pretty unisex. Guys or girls, both genders can easily stylize erstwhile staples of the geek closet and make it fashionable. So when you say, what should I wear if I want to be the epitome of geek chic?, these are the seven things that I think, (give or take a couple), should appear in your outfit.
- Button-down shirt
- Cardigan
- Ankle-length trouser
- Horn-rimmed glasses
- Oxfords/Loafers
- Statement T-shirt
- Bow tie
Want a more visual reference of what you should be wearing? Here’s your pictorial guide (for both girls and guys) so that you know what you should stock up your wardrobe with.
Geek Chic for Girls
Geek Chic for Guys
Those are the staples of a wardrobe of someone who wants to master the geek chic look. But how do you style it in a unique fashion. Let’s take a look at the most commonly asked questions about this wonderfully absurd, academically-inspired sense of style, and you will see how easy it is to make the look your own.
Q. My friend owns the geek-chic style, but she is scared that she is getting into a rut? How can she make it look more stylish?
Ans. Well, since your friend seems to have gotten her signature style pat down, that’s one thing out of the way. Now to make it more stylish, combine trends with the staples. So, if you are wearing a bow tie, wear a plaid one. Or if you are wearing a button-down, wear a polka-dotted shirt. This should keep the look interesting.
Q. I love my cuffed pants and want to try them in prints? Is that a go with the geek look?
Ans. Of course. The geek look is all about being okay with not being too trendy. So, if you want to try a pair of printed cuffed pants, don’t let a look stop you. In fact, get with it. You never know when the trendier crowd will start doing the same.
Q. My friends and I want to wear the geek style but feel it’s too androgynous? How do we make it more feminine?
Ans. Isn’t this an interesting question. Instead of sticking to cuffed pants, I suggest you wear plaid-print school girl skirts or skater dresses à la Zooey Deschanel in the New Girl. Pair them with Mary Janes or Oxfords and knee-high socks, and you should be good to go.
Q. I’m a guy who dresses up in what I think is called the geek-chic style. While I love my cardigans, it’s not too comfortable during summers. What can I switch it up with?
Ans. For guys (and girls alike), cardigans are an important but not compulsory staple. If you want you can exchange the cardigan for a waist coat. It makes you look hipper. If you are one to take a fashion risk, then I suggest you try suspenders. Beware! This is not for the faint-hearted.
Q. You have listed seven essentials for geek chic. Is it necessary to wear all of them at once?
Ans. Not at all. At any given point of time having two or three of these in your outfit should do the trick. It’s more a question of how you wear it than how many you wear. If a bow-tie is not your thing, you can eliminate it from your look. The one essential you should make omnipresent though, is a pair of horn-rimmed glasses.
The geek chic style of dressing is not a particularly difficult one to master. It’s the attitude that makes all the difference. With these essentials in your closet, you should find it easy to channel your inner geek.