Student’s aren’t expected to be fashionable. Inexperience, budget constraints, pressure to “fit in”, etc. When you’re mature, established and back to school, however, those college hoodies and trashed runners don’t seem as appropriate.

Graduate school is an interesting scene because students often look lost somewhere between looking like a “student” and looking like a “grown up” (think business suits with cross-trainers or backpacks with loafers).

“The trick is to find the appropriate middle ground between looking put-together & presentable as well as casual & laid back. You don’t want to look like your taking yourself too seriously (think full suit and tie), but you also don’t want to look like you just finished football practice (think baseball cap and sweats).”

Let me take a minute to reintroduce Ryan Oozeer (as previously featured here). Ryan, one of the most stylish guys I know and my best friend since the 9th grade, was my first ever fashion influence – the one who taught me what it meant to be “stylish”. Back in the day when I was begging for video games on my birthdays, Ryan was collecting sneakers, denim and accessories.

Here, Ryan takes us to school in style for five days.

1. Meeting with Professor

“No matter how nice your snorkel (parka) is, wearing it everyday gets boring. In my opinion, a more stylish and expressive way to avoid Toronto’s cold weather is to use a denim jacket as a layer. It’s fitted and has a high armhole so it fits comfortably under a number of my jackets. Together these are as warm as a big winter coat, but more practical because you can add/remove layers throughout the day if you get warm or cool.”

“Whenever I have a meeting with a professor I try to wear a shirt and tie. It always leaves a good impression, not to mention it’s the perfect accent to complete even a smart casual look”.

Bonus Tip: This outfit has a number of layers but doesn’t look “busy” or “distarcting” because the color palette is all neutral and versatile (Navy, Grey & Brown).