There are certain obvious occasions—like meeting a coach, making an official visit, sitting for a college interview or attending an awards banquet—when gym shorts, a T-shirt and sandals won’t cut it.  Stay prepared for these events by stocking the following essentials in your closet (you can thank STACK in your acceptance speech).

Khakis
One of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe, khakis can be worn with a dress shirt, polo knit or sweater. Pair them with neutral color dress shoes or white basketball shoes, and you’re dressed to impress.
 
Dark jeans
An excellent substitute for dress pants or khakis.

White button down
Dress it up or dress it down; either way, you can’t go wrong with a crisp, white shirt. Just make sure it’s ironed and stain-free, and always wear it with a white undershirt.

Sweater
Stick with a classic color, like navy blue, black, grey or green; and if you choose to pair it with either a solid or print dress shirt, make sure it matches.

Tie
You’ll need a few to go with your white button down. Be creative when choosing colors and patterns, but refrain from wearing ties with cartoon characters or childish patterns. Think diagonal stripes or floral patterns instead of team logos or baseballs and bats.

Jacket
A sport jacket or blazer, worn with khaki pants and a white button down, makes a perfect go-to outfit. When choosing a jacket, opt for black, navy or gray and make sure it fits appropriately in the shoulders and sleeves.

Dress shoes
Go for black or dark brown dress shoes, because either color will match more outfits than light brown shoes. Don’t forget to shine them up before wearing them out.