The purpose of college is to lower one’s standards. Others may contend it exists to set us on a trajectory toward adulthood, and that may be true. But the main purpose of the American university is to teach us to settle for mediocrity in all aspects of our lives.

I believe not many of us approved of eating macaroni covered in powder-based cheese sauce, or drinking watered-down beer from a steel drum (or doing both in combination) before college.

With the purpose of college established, it’s logical to assume the same undiscerning attitude would extend to clothing choices. This becomes manifest in many a student’s questionable ensembles year-round, running the gamut from the unflattering to the unstylish to the you-clearly-wore-that-the-night-before selections. While those evergreen faux pas mean transgressions not even Ignatius Loyola could forgive, it’s not until it gets cold when the really deplorable fashion choices start appearing.

The key to the cold weather outfit, according to the Loyola student body, seems to be simply layering summer clothes. Case in point: the unofficial fall and wintertime campus uniform consists of a North Face jacket, a summery denim miniskirt with leggings underneath, and Ugg Boots. This wardrobe just lends itself to confusion: Is this girl going mountain climbing? Taking a modern dance class? Off to explore some tundra? No, she’s going to class, and maybe Felipe’s afterward.

And a word on leggings: Wear with caution, and wear correctly. Wear them under a longer shirt or sweater, and you’re fine. Wear them by themselves, and that’s one layer of thin, cotton-spandex blend away from you being naked. Consider how your neighboring classmates might feel to be so close to your nether regions.

I find that almost any change of weather seems to signal poor clothing choices. Rainy days call for tacky, ill-fitting rain boots – which I know serve practical purposes but still look ridiculous. Summer weather means short-shorts, canyon-deep cleavage and visible beer guts. And global warming is no excuse, people.

But besides lowering standards, another purpose of these four years (five or six for some) is to allow you to flounder aimlessly, making as many mistakes as possible while the safety net of “but I’m a college student” hangs underneath. So I suppose if you want to dress like a yoga instructor in the Himalayas, now would be the time.

The real world will forgive you for these years of indiscretion. Plus, it won’t be too long before we’re all confined to lives of power suits, pantyhose and other inhibiting business attire, so express yourselves now.

But if wearing Crocs is your medium of self-expression, consider refraining.