Back to school shopping – it’s the definitive sign the academic year is, indeed, fast approaching.
For some, this shopping trip is taken more literally than others.
“Slacks, oxford shoes, a couple of button-downs,” said Zachary Mebane, junior in biological sciences, who took advantage of back-to-school sales to update his wardrobe.
But amid the sea of college students shopping for similar styles at popular stores, individuality can prove difficult. Mebane encouraged students, especially freshman, to use back-to-school shopping as a chance to buy expressive new pieces in addition to closet staples.
Rebecca Fechino, junior in public relations, agreed. Fechino is now beginning her second semester as a “style guru,” or campus representative for the university street style website CollegeFashionista. As a guru, she showcases trendy students’ outfits in a weekly blog post for the site.
“When I get dressed every single morning,” Fechino said, “I think of how people look at me and how I show my style but bring out myself at the same time.”
Chris Calhoun, however, did not take advantage of pre-semester clothes shopping. In fact, the junior in mechanical engineering plans to stick to his signature ensemble of shorts and graphic T-shirts.
“I’m not very stylish,” he confessed.
Still, Calhoun does dress up for special events like the annual Engineering Expo, a networking event for engineering students.
“I’ll wear neutral colors, black pants, a while button down shirt, black or dark blue tie and I have this really sleek, light gray suit jacket that I got from H&M,” Calhoun said of his job interview ensemble. “It’s probably the most expensive thing I own. I want to look better than everyone else so I can get a job.”
Courtney Likes, senior in kinesiology, conceded as the years progress, her effort in getting dressed declines.
“It’s your freshman year, you want to impress people,” Likes said. “By senior year you really don’t care.”
Likes, an employee at BlueTique boutique in Market Square since April, describes her current favorite campus look is a pair of high-waisted shorts with a shirt tucked in and an airy kimono on top. Likes said she prefers comfort, especially when considering the clothes she wears on campus, in addition to maximum versatility in those pieces.
“I would tell them [freshmen] to not focus on what other people are wearing and what they think of them, do what you want,” Likes said. “I think people get wrapped up in trying to be like everyone else.”
Fechino and Mebane, who shop together often, agreed the diversity of style among students makes college the perfect place to seek inspiration and experiment with new influences. Imitation, they note, is the sincerest form of flattery.
“If you’re an art student, I would expect you to be more artsy and push the envelope a little. But if you’re a business major I would expect a blazer and slacks,” Mebane said. “I think you should dress for the life you want to have. I think it’s all about what you want.”
After all, there is no equation for great style. But in fall, a fresh start is always possible.
“You’re in a new place, nobody knows you,” Mebane said. “So, you can reinvent your style however you want.”
