While many are melting their snow days away with hot cocoa by the fire, fashionable students are strutting their outfits on campus, balancing warmth with style.
“I think it’s fun to try and find the right outfit that is stylish but also functional,” said Josh Kim, a graduate Computer Information Technology student. “There’s this sense of accomplishment that rewards you once an outfit is created with purpose and still aesthetically pleasing to the eye.”
For Kim, winter is when his style feels most at home.
“I definitely feel like I’m in my element in the winter,” he said. “Oversized sweaters, baggy pants—I would say that’s the part of my style that gets louder in the winter.”
The balance between style and optimization depends on the day.
“Am I going to be outdoors more that day? Then I’d dress around my jacket/coat,” he said. “If it’s more of an indoor event I’m attending, then the coat is more of an afterthought. I’m taking it off once I get there anyway. What’s the point?”
Nathan Amescua, a freshman Nursing student, is ambivalent about outerwear.
“My biggest limitation that winter puts on my outfits is that half of my outfit will almost always be covered with a coat,” he said. “I typically wear a bunch of graphic tees and whatnot throughout the spring into early fall, but because of my coat, there’s not much to show most of the time.”
Amescua is challenged by the constraint of cold weather.
“It’s important to me to look cohesive at all times, and not to just throw on a bunch of random clothes because it’s warm or fits the weather,” he said. “Wearing trench coats is an easy way to elevate a look in a sophisticated way, in comparison to wearing a puffer jacket.”
Amescua also likes intentional accessories.
“Beanies, especially statement beanies, can totally elevate the look of an outfit when most of it is covered by a coat,” he said. “I just got some new beanies from Oakley and Sundae School, and I think they add a touch of style where style may not be evident.”
However, though warmth is important, it can be challenging for fashionistas.
“Practicality is usually last on the checklist for me in terms of fashion,” said Romise Dills, a sophomore in Visual Communications. “Dressing for the seasons … takes the fun out of it. How creative can you get with a big ugly coat and a scarf covering your face?”
Still, Dills is determined to put her best fit forward.
“I still wear dresses, skirts and even jorts… sometimes with tights or stockings and sometimes without,” she said. Dills said she often pairs a pleated mini skirt with a Steve Madden heeled boot while snow is on the ground.
While some students adapt their style to the cold, Dills makes sure to remain stylish no matter the temperature.
“If it’s a statement piece, like my ankle-length fur coat or one of my favorite trench coats, I often style my outfits to complement the coat and accessorize accordingly,” she said. “Balance is key, and it gives me the opportunity to creatively style my outfits.”
