But when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, I always find myself disappointed by the outfits I see when going from party to party.

On this particular holiday, I don’t see people dressed in creative or extravagant clothing, but instead, most of the student population wears some form of a generic green T-shirt reading “Kiss me, I’m Irish” or another similar phrase printed across the front.

Because St. Patrick’s Day is an event so many students look forward to, I feel as if they should put more effort into the day’s outfit.

There are countless inexpensive and simple ways to personalize a festive look and keep from blending into the crowd this year.

The basics
Last St. Patrick’s Day, rather than sporting a T-shirt and jeans as most other students did, I bought a simple green dress from Urban Outfitters to wear.

Although it probably was more costly than a basic shirt would have been, I believe my purchase was worthwhile because unlike St. Patrick’s Day-themed shirts that only can be worn on the day of the holiday, this garment is one I can show off multiple times a year.

During football season, I wore it to several games, and I also wore it to class when it still was warm outside. If you aren’t one to wear dresses, consider purchasing another green garment, such as a skirt, a sweater or a pair of pants.

All of these items can be reworn on numerous occasions with a variety of other pieces. And since whatever you purchase will be green, one of MSU’s school colors, you won’t look strange walking around campus in it after St. Patrick’s Day.

If you’re on a really tight budget, you might want to consider checking out more reasonably-priced stores, such as Forever 21, 3017 Preyde Blvd., in Lansing, which currently is selling mint green pants that only cost about $15.

Accessorize
With a plain garment as the base of your ensemble, it will be easy to add fun accessories to your look.

Green beaded necklaces are a must and can be found at just about any dollar store, such as Dollar Castle, 426 Frandor Ave., in Lansing.

But don’t stop there. Take your outfit to the next level with a few unique, decorative pieces, such as ribbons or holiday-themed pins.

You don’t have to stick to shops that specialize in clothing or jewelry when looking for these items.
Craft stores, such as Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft, 533 Mall Court, in Lansing, often offer holiday-themed accessories and decorations that are less expensive than what you might come across at other stores.

This year, in addition to some Mardi Gras necklaces and a pair of green sunglasses, I also purchased a green and white wand from Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft for about $2.

Be sure to check the store’s website before beginning your shopping spree because you usually can find coupons that will provide you with further savings.

Artistic additions
Another way to be sure you stand out among the other students decked out in holiday apparel this weekend is with decorative body art.

You can cover yourself with green body paint, or if that’s too extreme for your taste, try painting a few decorative images on just your face or arms. Or, you can substitute the paint with some green body glitter if you prefer.

Temporary spray-on hair dye also can be a unique way to spice up your look. It lasts long enough to maintain your look through the night, but washes out when you’re ready to return to your natural color.