I recently listened to a podcast exploring why so many NBA stars are showing up to their post game interviews wearing “Urkel glasses” (listen to the podcast here) and it made me think about how certain taste makers deciding that even the appearance of being smart is cool has now made geek the new chic. From head to toe, nerdy mainstays are making their way in to the style mainstream in ways that allow for creativity and promote individuality which is fitting because what are geeks if not creative individuals? I’ve made a list of a few of my favorite nerdy looks and encourage you to grab a pen out of that pocket protector and takes some notes.

The Bow Tie:

“The bow tie hints at intellectualism, real or feigned, and sometimes suggests technical acumen, perhaps because it is so hard to tie. Bow ties are worn by magicians, country doctors, lawyers and professors and by people hoping to look like the above. But perhaps most of all, wearing a bow tie is a way of broadcasting an aggressive lack of concern for what other people think.” – Warren St. John

Suspenders:

Suspenders were once standard issue due to the high cut of trousers in earlier centuries but when soldiers came back home from World War I accustomed to the belts worn with their uniforms the straps got an honorable discharge. The veterans stuck around for another decade or so until the waistcoat also became less popular and men more frequently chose to belt their pants to their waist over suspending them from their shoulders. Once considered underwear, suspenders are getting reenlisted as a cute accessory for girls who are wearing the pants and skirts.

The Fanny Pack:

Not sure why these are considered nerdy because they are so obviously made for partying! All of the essentials fit in there; your phone, ID, cash, lip gloss and a small compact. Partying aside, think of all the activities that would be made easier by a fanny pack: carrying boxes, shopping, holding an umbrella while talking on the phone, talking on the phone and carrying a coffee, actually insert any one of 50 million activities plus carrying coffee and consider the point made. The fanny pack just needs a little positive PR. Erase the image of bulky tourists with those ugly nylon things dangling from their waists and definitely change the name because fanny is not an attractive word and also doesn’t mean what you think everywhere. Whether you call it a bum bag, hip sack or koala, I urge you to give this piece a chance.

Being a firm believer in learning something new every day, below I’ve included a graphic teaching you how to tie a bow tie or click here to learn how to make your own clip on version. Tell us about your favorite nerdy fashion trend in the comments!