The mental image assigned to the term ‘geek’ has changed significantly over recent years. The term is no longer only associated with sallow-faced young men sporting side partings, thick glasses and checked shirts. Thanks to TV programs like Silicon Valley and Mr. Robot, being a geek has become a sought-after social status, with individuals from all walks of life wanting to buddy up with an authentic nerd.

Whether you are a true geek or not, you can still choose to look like one. Geek chic is a unique retro style that is equally popular among celebrities and your Average Joe alike. As with any approach to fashion, there are no rules that are set in stone as to what you can or cannot wear. The guidelines below will, however, help you to achieve a sleek, geeky look without having to enlist the help of a professional fashion guru.

Wear the right t-shirt and glasses

No one wears a geeky t-shirt quite as well as Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. Any colour will do although a print relevant to nerd culture will score you extra points. Comic book characters and symbols, math and computer jokes and references, science fiction and fantasy cartoons and television series and games all make for very popular t-shirt prints. Plain t-shirts are not to be shunned though as they are great for layering purposes. Try a bold, plain colour such as purple or red over a striped long-sleeve and pair plain white tees with a comfy dress shirt for a more formal look. Nothing says geek-chic quite like a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. Oversized glasses are the best but make sure they fit as overdoing the oversizing can leave you looking like a freaky Harry Potter and you wouldn’t want that.

Zip-up hoodies and sweaters

Both of these should be a staple for casual geek chic. Any colour is good and you can easily opt for those with geometric and striped patterns. These are a very basic essential for layering over a t-shirt in colder weather. A couple of toned-down pullover hoodies will never go to waste in winter. Invest in a couple of sweaters so that you are never spoilt for choice. Use plain v-neck sweaters to use over checked shirts and sweater-vests for your patterned long and short sleeve shirts. Sweaters of all kinds and in all patterns are a perfect addition to any geeky wardrobe.

Jeans

Believe it or not, but jeans are a staple of modern-day geek-chic. When wearing with geek, opt for skinny and slim fits as achieving a slim lower silhouette is paramount to the look. If you prefer regular-fit jeans go for shades of grey and brown instead of just sticking to the regular blues and blacks. Even red slim jeans can be a hit on the right person with the same fit in a neutral black having the ability to flatter just about every body type. Shop around for alternative colour choices such as checked purple, burgundy, turquoise and yellow. Unusual jean colours in any cut are great hen looking to achieve a dramatic geeky look.

Accessorize

Accessories offer a great opportunity for you to be creative and individual. Once again glasses remain the most popular choice. Other trendy geek-accessories include belts, both plain and with geeky buckles such as superhero symbols. Thick, plain white belts are also good for a ‘poindexter’ look. Another must-have accessory is a watch! All geeks regardless shape or size have watches because time is very important to them. Whether you are a big guy with bulging biceps or just a regular guy sporting smaller wrists and hands, there's a watch for thin wrists out there that you may never want to take off. Bags are also becoming increasingly popular in geek-chic. Go for one with a shoulder strap, like a messenger bag and if you feel daring, opt for one with a cool image printed on it.

Dressing like a geek is not difficult but it is important to remember that the right attitude is needed to complete any look. You don’t need a degree in neuroscience to pull off geek chic but a bit of intelligent confidence has never harmed anyone either. The geek nation is here to stay and its best you join them before they leave you behind.

Written by Jane Sandwood