Why is making a first impression important? Simple: No matter how hard or how long you work on something, the first thing anyone will notice about you is your appearance.

But can you make your first impression without the Louis Vuitton purse or that Burberry fit? The one problem that struggling college students have is thinking that they need the luxury to pull off a great interview for a new job or simply to amaze some girl’s or guy’s parents.

Your fix for this will help you pull off a great first impression without spending all the money you may need to pay for college.

If there is something you must understand first, it is quality. What do you consider your best quality? Your treatment of this will affect the way you look.

Rabia Jamil, an economics major at Skyline College, believes that her appearance reflects her personality.

“I love the glamour of life and I like to be comfortable,” Jamil said, ostentatiously pointing out her outfit.

Evaluate the situation for which you are dressing. Who are you trying to impress? What qualities do they have? A good thing to keep in mind is, psychologically, like attracts like. Combine your expression of style with key elements creating similarity between you and the other party. When they see themselves in you, it gives you a better chance to make a good first impression.

Nessreen Heishan, part-time student at Skyline, is majoring in international business and marketing. Heishan works in her family’s restaurant and often conducts interviews for the business.

“There is always a time and place for [certain] apparel,” according to Heishan. “Everyone has a bias and once you see that bias, it shuns that person away.”

Heishan suggests that when you are in a business environment, you should “dress more professional, similar to what the person interviewing is wearing, for example, slacks, heals and a blazer,” as opposed to a less formal environment like school, where you “want to dress fun.”

Your sense of fashion can either make or break your first impression, but that doesn’t mean you have to splurge on expensive luxury items.

“Nothing you wear has to be expensive; it is how you accessor-ize yourself,” Jamil said.

The good thing about fashion is it is always changing. What was in twenty years ago may be stylish today, but what was in two weeks ago could be played out today.

A good thing to do is to ask yourself, “What will work for you at a low cost?”

Nowadays, vintage clothing is the latest fad, so try looking into the closet of an older relative. You may be surprised at how up-to-date their old clothing looks. Also, borrowing is cheaper than buying. Keep in mind who you want to impress, how you want to express yourself, and give the pieces your own style.

“You can get your old clothes and mix and match whatever you have,” Heishan recommends.

Good sources of less costly apparel in a variety of different styles are stores like Ross, Marshalls, and Nordstrom Rack, according to Jamil.

Though making that first impression can sometimes be intimidating, it’s not just the clothes or the fashion that make a great first impression.

“Fashion is very important,” Heishan said. “I think that fashion is like the freedom of speech, but it’s also the vibe you give and your attitude when walking into an interview.”

Probably the cheapest way to make a first impression great, is to be yourself.