fAshiOn On cAmpUs

REPORTING BY KYLA ULUG & APRIL NGUYEN • PHOTOS & DESIGN BY KYLA ULUG 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

Fshirts, 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.”

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.”

Fashion On Campus

ELIAS JUAREZ

EIGHTH GRADER

Juarez expresses his personal style through streetwear influence. With UPA’s dress code, he accessorizes using jewelry like earrings, bracelets and necklaces. “I feel like jewelry puts [an outfit] together,” Juarez said. “You’re not so plain even if you’re just wearing a plain t-shirt.” Juarez usually wears ripped jeans outside of school, so he supplements his in-school attire by wearing different styles of pants. “Since we can’t wear ripped jeans, I get vintage colors and styles so I can get the look I’m going for,” he said. “I have a pair of jeans that have strokes of colored paint, I like using my pants to add a little bit of style.” By expressing his fashion at school, Juarez has become more relaxed in the learning atmosphere. “Now I’m able to be more comfortable at school and find more clothes that I’m comfortable in.”

JASMINE NGUYEN

SOPHOMORE

Nguyen’s style consists of keeping everything solid and monochrome, and she sticks to a soft, simple style for several reasons. She thinks that her current style suits her even though she wants to explore streetwear, graphics and brighter colors. However, Nguyen feels limited both financially and by her own confidence. She also continues to be inspired by her mom’s style. “She likes neutrals and pastel colors,” she said. “Ever since I was little, she always dressed up for herself, and I admired that because she didn’t really care about what other people thought. I also want to dress however I would like.”

ROHAN KHATTRI

SENIOR

Starting sophomore year, Khattri decided to experiment with designs, and he found the dress code very limiting in the past. However, after a year of distance learning, he discovered a new minimalist style that he felt suited him much better. “I kind of recognized that I preferred solid colors,” he said. “I think I could still look stylish without having a bunch of crazy designs.” By layering solid coats and jackets over plain shirts, Khattri described having a clean look that was not boring but not flashy. He appreciates the new inclusion of colors in the school dress code that allows him to wear most of his clothing. Khattri also wants to explore accessories in the future when he feels that he is able to “put in the effort.”