Campus fashion: students give perspectives
What is Utah State University’s campus fashion?
Some students say it’s a laid-back style, others say it’s conformity.
But to answer that question, take a look at these six different students found at or around the Taggart Student Center as they give their insights on their own fashion sense and what they think about USU’s fashion on campus.
A relaxed look is what Tagg Archibald, a history education junior, goes for.
Recently inaugurated Associated Students of USU Executive Vice President Archibald said he likes what is comfortable and doesn’t spend too much time deciding what to wear.
“I wear whatever is in my closet that day,” Archibald said.
He also said that he might have influenced campus style.
“Since I started shaving my head a lot of other people started shaving theirs, too,” he said. “Obviously, my fashion sense is very influencing.”
Archibald looks at USU fashion in a positive way.
“I like USU fashion. It’s very laid-back,” he said. “Obviously there’s the guys who only wear Abercrombie & Fitch, but they’re few and small in numbers, which is a good thing. I think most everyone has a really good sense of fashion.”
He noted the up and coming trends as tube-tops, mullets and cut-off shorts.
The athletic style is what Kimberly Robinson, a sophomore majoring in family, consumer and human development, normally sports and although she was wearing her Chi Omega sorority T-shirt with blue jeans on Friday, she would rather be in workout clothing.
“I work out a lot, so I like to wear a lot of work-out clothes,” she said. “But when I go to classes, I try to wear nicer clothes, but I’d be so much more comfortable in Umbros [soccer shorts] and a sweatshirt.”
Robinson also gave a few tips on saving money.
“You can buy clothes at Wal-Mart or Shopko that look like they’re quality and pass them off as Express or American Eagle and they’ll still look cute – and they’re really cheap,” she said.
When it comes to USU campus fashion, Robinson said it’s too easy to label others into categories.
“I really try not to label people, but sometimes it’s really easy,” she said. “You’ll see a girl and you’ll definitely be able to be like ‘oh, she’s Mormon‚’ or you can classify them as a ‘good student.'”
However, she did say it is difficult to classify anyone as a “bad student.”
After taking care of some business Friday afternoon, Robinson said she was going to switch back to her workout clothes and go excersize.
Being comfortable is the No. 1 fashion priority for Rodney Wilson, a broadcast journalism senior, who casually sports a polo shirt and dark blue jeans.
“You want to look nice, but you also want to be comfortable,” he said.
However, he said, “I don’t like my s–t too loose.”
And Wilson said he isn’t trying to impress anyone.
“I don’t really care about what people think about me and what I wear as long as I’m comfortable with what I’m wearing.”
When it comes to USU fashion, Wilson said most everybody copies each other.
“If you look at the females out here, they all got the same hairstyles, If you look at their clothes, they all got the same clothes and if you look at the guys, they all want to be skaters,” he said. “Don’t wear skater clothing, if you ain’t a skater.”
Wilson gives his advice: “Be different; be comfortable.”
Music is what influences Brandon Bowen, a junior majoring in history, who sports a giant red mohawk.
“I have a lot punk rock influences,” said Bowen, who also used to listen to a lot of death metal.
And spending money on clothing isn’t his thing, he said.
His T-shirt he got for free, his old Nike shoes he found in a closet at his cabin and his shorts were purchased a couple of years ago. The jewelry was either found or given to him.
“I wear more jewelry than most girls I know,” he said.
This includes three bracelets, three rings and two choker necklaces at all times.
As far as campus fashion goes, he said he really doesn’t notice the trends. Although he really digs a girl in a plaid skirt.
“I’m a sucker for a chick in a little school-girl skirt,” he said.
Mandee Nilson, an art major sophomore who said her favorite color is blue, sports a light blue denim jacket with denim pants and a Western-style blouse.
“I wear things that are comfortable,” she said. “I don’t really follow the fashions too much. I just go to Old Navy and those kind of places.”
She prefers the country style over city style and likes the traveling look.
“I’m from the West and I like the country stuff,” she said.
Nilson said the fashion on campus is pretty diverse.
“I think there’s a wide range. There’s people who are really trendy and some who are not,” she said.
Inspired by hard rock and aggressive sports, Jen Cramer, a pre-medical biology junior, said she’s not interested in the popular labels.
“I don’t ever care about brand names; I just care about whatever look I’m going for,” she said.
And she isn’t committed to just one look.
“I have a lot of different styles,” she said.
As for the fashion presented on campus, she said it’s pretty conformed.
“There isn’t a whole lot of diversity compared to other places,” she said.
-joel feathers@cc.usu.edu
Rodney Wilson (Photo by John Zsiray)
Kimberly robinson (Photo by John Zsiray)
Tagg Archibald (Photo by John Zsiray)
Jen Cramer (Photo by Jennifer Wheatley)