Fashion
REPORTING BY KYLA ULUG & APRIL NGUYEN • PHOTOS & DESIGN BY KYLA ULUG
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UPA’s updated dress code policy allows students to more freely express their style rom no jeans to jeans and from strictly official polos with an embroidered school emblem to college themed shirts, UPA’s dress code has expanded to become much more lax going into the 2021-2022 school year. Previously, students were restricted by the banality of the common dress code that limited students’ styles to the articles of clothing specifically recommended in the code. Presently, students across all grade levels find that they are able to express themselves within the parameters of the guidelines of “professional dress.”
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APARNA AYYADEVARA SEVENTH GRADER
Ayyadevara’s biggest fashion inspiration is her older sister, Akhila. “Seeing her evolve into her own fashion sense helped me develop my own style,” she said. Ayyadevara also defines her style by its variety. “Sometimes I’ll wear streetwear and sometimes I’ll dress more put-together,” she explained. “Sometimes I like wearing super baggy clothes, depending on my comfort level. There’s no specific word to describe what I like to wear; it’s kind of everywhere, it’s messy.”
HIEU NHI DO FRESHMAN
Do has adapted many different aesthetics to suit her personal style including dark and light academia, cottagecore and soft tones. She explained how the school dress code limited her use of floral patterns, so she opts for solid-colored layers instead, wearing vests, jackets, skirts and leg warmers on a daily basis. Do finds inspiration on social media as well as random experiences in real life. “If I just go to the mall, I see people and I think, ‘I find your style very nice!’” she said. “I take some notes on them or even people here.” However, she still has concerns about carefully choosing her clothes. “I’m just worried about the color restrictions because I asked the office, and they were very specific about other vest colors.,” Do said.
MISHAL DAMJI JUNIOR
Rings. Hoops. Earrings. Necklaces. Damji described how her style, within the parameters of uniform, involves simply wearing a T-shirt, sweater and jeans. To add her personal touch, she accessorizes with an assortment of jewelry. “It’s an easy way to make your outfits less boring. Like, the same T-shirt and jeans everyday? Gotta spice it up. I wear different jewelry everyday,” she said. Damji explained that each year, she acquires a new “obsession” with a type of jewelry, and this year, it is necklaces. “I saw people wearing very distinct kinds of necklaces,” she said. “Every time I [went] to a formal event, I don’t think it was anything deliberate, but I started noticing like, ‘Oh, that necklace added something to the outfit. Maybe I should emulate that.’ So, I did that.”
43 | ARTS & CULTURE
