Feathers & Fur: Volume 2 - Issue 2

Snap out of it! Rachel Oliner investigates the dilemma that fashionable students face when they open their closets. Fade into the mix or stand out in your chicest wares?

I walk into Magill Library at 9:30 a.m. and head straight for the ally immature.” printers. But something’s off. It feels like 20 pairs of eyes are on me.

But her impression of the dolled-up student isn’t much better.

Did the Nutella that I secretly slathered on my morning toast end “They are self-conscious about their physical appearance and up on my face instead? Did my leggings become transparent over use clothes to cover it up.” So, how does one tiptoe around this night? No, wait, it’s even worse. There I am, picking up a reading delicate line between too shabby and too chic? for class, in my pink dip-dyed ombré sheepskin vest, slashed black For most, this delicate dance is up to interpretation. For sneakjeans and some mink ankle boots that I scored from a vintage store er-lover and Haverford sophomore Bert Lee, it doesn’t matter how in the city. What’s wrong with this picture? you dress but rather how you perform.

There are a handful of students on this campus who endure the “I think that certain people perform better if they dress nicer weird looks and the quiet behind-the-back sniggering in the name since they take their looks, and thus their work, more seriously,” of creativity, individuality, and, well, fun. he says.

Taking the time to put together a spiffy outfit is often misinterHaving grown up in Paris, Haverford sophomore Audrey Saul preted on our campuses. People ask, “Is it a special occasion?” “Are agrees with the subjectivity behind the notion of dressing up. you trying to impress someone?” And Though she does describe seeing of course, “Why are you so dressed up?

Dressing up can bring lightness to students coming to class looking We’re at Haverford.” as if they had just rolled out of the day. Fashion allows students to bed as a “culture shock,” she beWell, some people are so “dressed up” because they love the way it makes lieves that ultimately “everyone express themselves in an inspired them feel. It makes discussing Nietzshould wear what makes them way. When I look put together, I feel comfortable.” sche and researching neuronal firing patterns an otherworldly experience.

However, Saul admits that she put together and like I can tackle For some, the best part of Saturday “will have more admiration and whatever research paper is thrown my respect for someone who took night is the pre-party in their closet.

Chicago native and self-proclaimed the time to pick out an outfit and way. shopaholic Haverford junior Jordan look decent before meeting new Yellen feels the scrutiny when she wears what she likes. She says people” as opposed to “someone who just didn’t bother.” that during the week people will always question why she’s dressed While there are those haughty fashionable beings who look the way she is. down on the mere sweats-addicts, Haverford sophomore Peter “The weekends are the only time people don’t really care if you Loewi is not one of them. He describes his everyday wear as “what go the extra mile,” she says. others might call ‘dressing up’”: dark jeans, slacks, and “always a But even then, dressing up can be interpreted as trying too collared shirt.” Loewi says he always takes the time to look fresh hard. and admits that his favorite clothing item is a pants-skirt combinaWhen asked to describe the general state of dress in the bi-col- tion by Japanese brand Comme des Garçons. Still, he says, “I try lege community, Haverford senior Vanessa Sergeon calls it “pretty not to judge people based on what they wear, being an asshole shabby.” She believes in “different degrees of getting dressed up,” doesn’t work well for me.” and when she does take the time to look fly at college, it’s not to So when you see that girl in her little emerald green dress and the same extent as she would elsewhere, like at home on Bleecker knee high boots at the dining hall, try not to make her feel like Street in New York City. an animal at the zoo. Dressing up can bring lightness to the day.

She identifies two different extremes: the student who only Fashion allows students to express themselves in an inspired way. wears the same sweatpants-sweatshirt combination for days at a When I look put together, I feel put together and like I can tackle time and the student who comes to class completely decked out whatever research paper is thrown my way. So, if you find yourself and dressed to the nines. hesitating to throw on that leather bomber jacket, take a second to Her thoughts on the sweats-addict? forget about all the shifty glances. If it makes you feel good, wear “They take little pride in their appearance and are gener- it. And don’t forget to walk with your head up.

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