Q: I am in my early 20s, a college student, and I work at a job that requires professional dress. During the school year, I have to go to work either before or immediately after class. I usually wear my shirt and tie to class, but I hate the looks I get and the uncomfortable feel of the clothes in that setting. I do it because I don't want to appear sloppy to my employer. How can I dress to balance the informal dress of college with the formal dress of a professional workplace without sacrificing style?

Blake Plavchak
Brookline

A: If you want to have it both ways, the simplest solution is to dress as you please for one setting and take a change of clothes for the other, depending upon whether you'll be at work or in class first. But if toting around a set of clothes sounds unappealing, you may have to choose which setting takes priority. You seem to realize that it's probably the job.

It will take some work and creativity to balance the informal classroom look with the professional workplace look in a single ensemble. You probably will have to craft a more sophisticated personal style, one that honors your workplace dress code and culture while not making you appear overly dressed for class.

For example, an open-neck blue button-down shirt and khaki pants can be comfortable and relaxed for class, and at the same time perfectly workplace appropriate with the addition of a necktie.

In balancing the two looks with a foundation of basic separates, you don't have to sacrifice style. What you're being challenged to do is mature your style a little earlier than most of your peers. And that's not a bad thing. There are all sorts of simple ways to show your style, to jazz up what may seem ordinary. Do it with belts, shoes, jewelry -- accessories that can dress up or dress down an ensemble and are easy to put on, easy to switch and portable.

If you go this route, it may be impossible to escape having to carry some sort of small "switch-aroo" bundle with you every day. But for the look you desire to achieve, it's probably worth it.