12 Style Tips You Can Learn From Famous Nerds

Image via Complex Original

Nerd Icon: Lewis Skolnick from Revenge of the Nerds

You can't wear long sleeve shirts all the time. Ever ahead of the style curve, Revenge of the Nerds' Lewis Skolnick knew that short-sleeve buttondowns aren't gross, and they come in handy when you need to look presentable in hot weather. Whether in a classic plaid or a louder all-over print, they're one way to keep your cool in the summer while still looking it.

Nerd Icon: Steve Wozniak of Apple

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak--affectionately known as "The Woz"--knows the power of a good beard. It's why facial hair has become part of his signature style, like Gandalf from The Lord of The Rings, a beard is a sign of a guy who has seen things and accrued much wisdom from his experiences, whether it's knowing his way around a motherboard or a guy who has slain many Orcs in his day.

Nerd Icon: Woody Allen

Woody Allen has always been a master of looking good without looking like you're trying too hard. The key? A tweed blazer ties everything else together. Despite his mussed-up hair and his trademark neuroses, while he may not actually have it all together, at least he's dressed like he does.

Nerd Icon: Gilbert Lowe from Revenge of the Nerds

Gilbert Lowe from Revenge of the Nerds didn't let a lack of proper neckwear stop him from looking like a boss. He just buttoned his shirt all the way up and went with it. Decades later, cool guys have finally caught on.

Nerd Icon: Samuel "Screech" Powers from Saved by the Bell

Screech may not have gotten as many girls as Zach or A.C. Slater, but in the style department, he had them both outclassed. Peep his penchant for bold prints. With clothes as cool as that, we're sure he'd be cleaning up today.

Nerd Icon: Nerds candy

Your days spent eating Nerds candy were actually teaching you that no color is unwearable. Pops of neon pink, green, and purple didn't seem so bad. Perhaps that's why when they started popping up on sneaker colorways and accessories like five-panel hats, they seemed nostalgic.

Nerd Icon: Steve Urkel from Family Matters

Not just for Sunday school anymore, two-toned saddle shoes have been remade from designers like Mark McNairy and Florsheim by Duckie Brown. With their simple, oxford-like design and a little bit of flair thanks to the signature saddle design in the middle, the versatile silhouette goes with just about anything.

Nerd Icon: Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye the Science Guy was also Bill Nye the bowtie guy. While he was teaching us about the wonders of science he was also showing us how a bowtie can go with anything from a sportcoat to a labcoat. Granted, these days they're a bit oversaturated, but we can't fault Mr. Nye for sticking to his guns.

Nerd Icon: Steve Urkel from Family Matters

Crewneck sweaters can get too hot, and turtlenecks are just plain awkward. Thankfully the cardigan's button placket runs in the middle between comfort and warmth. Wear it oversized and open like Urkel or fitted and buttoned up. You can't go wrong either way.

Nerd Icons: Lewis Skolnick and Gilbert Lowe from Revenge of the Nerds

Take it from the coolest dudes in Lambda, Lambda, Lambda, only suckers let their trousers touch the ground. True menswear visionaries, it's crazy how many popular menswear trends of today are actually exhibited on the characters of Revenge of the Nerds.

Nerd Icon: Steve Jobs of Apple

Steve Jobs was famous for a lot of things, duh. Among them was his uniform of a black Issey Miyake mock neck, Levi's 501 dad jeans, and New Balance 992s. It wasn't the most stylish thing on the market, but it worked. Think about it: how many tumblr style icons are now wearing super washed jeans and New Balances? Was Jobs a fashion visionary? That's debatable, but what is true is that he knew what he liked, and thanks to the cyclical nature of trends, what he liked was sooner or later guaranteed to become the next big thing. Sometimes it's best to wear what you want and nothing else.

Nerd Icon: Dwayne Wayne from A Different World

Before LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Dwayne Wade had rocked a pair of frames, all four eyes were on Dwayne Wayne from A Different World. The Hillman math major was known for his smarts and style, and combined the two by rocking glasses that had flip-down shades.