Dress to Impress at Arcadia
Stepping onto campus is more than just attending lectures and studying at the library, it’s also about self-expression, and what better way to showcase your personality than through fashion? Whether you’re rocking a laid-back, comfy look for early morning classes, dressing to impress for a presentation, or curating the perfect outfit for a campus event, your style tells a story. College fashion is a blend of practicality, trends, and individuality, and no matter where you fall on the style spectrum, there’s a way to make it work for you. Let’s explore the dynamic world of college fashion together through some fashionable peers!
Our first style icon is Sanaa Webb, a second-year Painting major. She describes her style as “earthy and eclectic, heavily inspired by Erykah Badu.” She gets her inspiration in a couple of ways: “I’m pretty basic, I just use Pinterest. I also follow fashion influencers that fit my style on Instagram,” said Webb. I was also curious when her interest in fashion began, “I can’t pinpoint a specific time. But I started to experiment in high school. It would just make me feel better going out in an outfit I liked. This was especially important because I was still discovering who I was as a person.” I worried that she thought people may perceive her differently based on how she dresses: “Yes. It would be naive to think otherwise. But when I get dressed I try to make sure that that’s the last thing I’m thinking about, how other people will feel about my outfit.”
Next up is Ava Betson, a junior Psychology major with a minor in Global Public Health. “I would describe my style as gothic, vampiric, and feminine yet edgy.” Her inspiration comes from “90s goth fashion, Pinterest, Japanese fashion subcultures like v-kei and lolita, and Alice Cullen from Twilight, don’t we all want to look like her?” As she recalls she’s always been into fashion: “I’ve been into fashion for as long as I can remember. I can’t really pinpoint a specific moment, however, my obsession with Monster High dress-up games as a kid probably sparked something.” There can be a negative stigma around people who dress ‘different’ or ‘unique’ and I wondered if she had experienced anything like that, “Unfortunately there are a lot of weird and negative stereotypes around women in particular who dress goth or alternatively, so I’m sure people have made those assumptions about me.”
Last, but not least is Kailyn Houston-Young, a junior Psychology major. “To be honest I wouldn’t even know how to describe my style, I just wear what makes me feel good at the moment. I’m really into dark colors and earth tones, I see myself as a lowkey emo hippy.” She gets her inspiration mostly through her friends, “They make me wanna dress up so I can feel like I deserve to be next to them, they’re so cool.” I wondered how she found her style and developed a fashion sense, “I honestly was struggling, and getting dressed up and making myself feel beautiful really was what got me out of bed. I started seeing all these cool people on Instagram and Tik Tok and I decided to become what I admired I suppose.”
After speaking with some of the most fashionable students on campus, one thing is clear, style isn’t just about following trends; it’s about confidence, creativity, and self-expression. If this sparked an interest in fashion for you, check out our own fashion club, Arcadia Couture! Here’s a word from one of their members, first-year Kayla Rabb: “In Arcadia Couture we learn about designers, look at current fashion trends, go to local Philly fashion shows to network and get experience backstage with models and designers. I joined because I wanted to get more into fashion photography and stayed because everyone in the club is really cool and I learn a lot about fashion from them!”
At the end of the day, the best style is the one that makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Fashion is an ever-evolving journey, and college is the perfect place to experiment, refine your look, and discover what truly makes you feel comfortable and confident. So, whether you’re stepping out in a perfectly curated outfit or throwing on your go-to cozy essentials, own your style, because confidence is always in fashion.
