We’ve all been told to dress for success. It’s a phrase that’s been used to the point of becoming somewhat cliché, constantly tossed around in popular culture throughout the decades. When shows such as Mad Men first gained popularity with our generation, though, that term had a slightly new meaning. Characters like the ultra- suave Don Draper helped us begin to equate style with professional success again. Draper may not be real, but the concept of dressing for success certainly is. The only problem today is that so many college students seem to be slightly daunted by the thought of it.

It certainly isn’t hard to see why this way of thinking has become so prevalent among our nation’s students. Furnishing a professional wardrobe can be costly and most college students don’t have the means to line our closets with new Brooks Brothers suits. The good news is, we don’t have to work on Wall Street to dress as if we do. Despite what we’re used to hearing, high fashion doesn’t necessarily mean high prices. Every college student should have at least one suit in their closet for that all-too- important interview, be it for an internship, job, or graduate school. Fear not, though, gentlemen. There’s more than one way to be a knight in shining Armani. If you’re looking to make a splash in the adult world without breaking the bank, check out these tips.

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1. Check Out Your Local Thrift Shop

Macklemore turned thrift shops into a mainstream trend, but there were plenty of us frequenting them before the song came out. If there is one thing of which I can certain, it is that every college town has at least one good thrift store, even if there is only one college. Every year, students arrive with more clothing than they have room for and for some, the easiest thing to do is donate the items they lack the means or desire to store to their local Goodwill or Salvation army. Think what you will, those stores always seem to boast an impressive display of designer clothing in almost new condition. Just before this past Christmas, I was browsing in a Goodwill in a tiny Massachusetts town and found a beautiful black pinstriped Pierre Cardin suit for $15. I also don’t think I’ve purchased a single necktie that wasn’t from a thrift store. The rack on my closet door is lined with ties from Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and J. Crew, almost every one purchased at a thrift store for $3.00 or less.

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2. Take a Look Around eBay

If you don’t feel like walking or driving to your local thrift shop, there’s an even more convenient way to find the clothes you need. eBay is truly the thrift shop of the internet and it boasts an inventory of rare and exotic items from across the globe. Whatever piece of clothing you’re looking for, I guarantee eBay has at least five different options from five different brands. While Amazon is dominating the market in most areas, fashion is the one area where eBay still seems to have the monopoly. Clothing prices on eBay tend to vary, as the bidding factor adds some complications, but If you’re paying attention, you can almost always find incredible deals on the items you need. Not to mention the fact that it ships directly to your door…or at least your campus post office.

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