How to wear geek chic style

Thanks to indie rockers and technologically-gifted wunderkinds, geek chic is no longer an oxymoron. Nerdy hipsters are taking their revenge. The popularity of retro and vintage styles assists in this growing trend, as heavy plastic eyeglass frames and seemingly frumpy ensembles easily bring out one's inner geek. Check out these geek chic essentials to see if the image fits.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy plastic eyeglass frames
• <br>Button-down short-sleeve shirts
• <br>Jewelry for men and women sporting technology or science-related images (like floppy disks or a microscope)
• <br>T-shirt emblazoned with inside jokes that only fellow geeks will understand
• <br>Anything at all that might be considered "square" by someone who shops at malls

Instructions

1. Walk with confidence. Wear the look with panache, or at the very least, a carefully-cultivated, slightly unaware expression. Part of geek chic has to do with the idea that others' impressions of you simply don't matter.

2. Own the identity. When someone offers a comment about something in particular that you are wearing, take pride in it.

3. Celebrate your geek heritage. Explain the origins of your outfit or accessory, especially if it used to belong to your mom or dad.

4. For men, hair needs to be unselfconsciously messy, as if you've been playing computer games all night and didn't have time to look in the mirror before running to your own software company.

5. For women, short bangs can complete your geek chic look, especially if it emphasizes your fair skin.

6. Avoid the sun. A tan will conflict with your intention to appear like you live in an office, surrounded only by the light from your computer screens.

7. Check in with fellow geeks to keep tabs on current trends and styles and share tips about the best thrift stores to find the best button-down shirts. Keep this community intact and share your own wealth of geek chic information.