1. Style is not what they think.
Fashion journalist Lynn Yaeger was once asked in an interview what the best advice she had ever received was. She replied, “Oh, it’s from Sally Singer: if you are interested in fashion, you need to learn everything except fashion” (@voguemagazine (2023) At first, the advice struck me as completely counterintuitive. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I think perhaps putting a reference in would be good, either as a footnote or mentioning the publication? We might have to do it for copyright.
Looking back, I can see the advice played out during my time at our university. It is easy to lose your sense of individuality where everyone is trying to be the better version of themselves, especially with a competitive environment like UBC. Additionally, social media constantly tells us what is right to wear, making cultivating a truly individual style feel almost impossible.
2. Style is what you define it as.
The reason style can feel overwhelming is because most students often confuse being fashionable with having style. As a computer science student, style to me simply means pulling on comfortable sweatpants so I can power through a programming assignment; other times, it’s a professional blouse that reflects my aspiration to make it in our world. No doubt – at times my style can feel performative of who I am. However, I am the director of my image even in those moments.
What makes style essential is that it signals intention: this is who I want the world to witness.
3. Style is more than just garments.
I hope by now I’ve planted enough reasons for you to see why a sense of style matters. But now you might ask, how do I actually style myself? Let’s return to that counterintuitive advice: it’s everything but fashion. Start by mapping what resonates with you on an individual level. These are the building blocks to construct your own style. For example, most of my inspirations are drawn from the events I have attended on campus. One of the more memorable pieces was capturing the patterns of the lion dance costumes at queer lunar new year that I organized for AMS!
4. Style is classics and rebels.
Once you have a foundation to build your style on, one trick that always helps me during a shopping spree is asking myself: What can I wear on a whim, and what truly expresses who I am? Some classics are non-negotiable: such as a white blouse with dress pants for interviews and networking, or a cozy sweater and jeans for the winter season. But then, on other days, a really eccentric beanie is a must.
5. Style is affordable.
We got you! Thanks to our peer advisors, on Chapman Learning’s common blogs, we have created many resources that guide us toward building our own style affordably including thrift stores and free campus club resources.
Like always, I hope this blog inspires you to embark on your own journey through styles and more at UBC. Trust me when I say the world is now at your hem line.
References
@voguemagazine. (2023, October 29). Vogue Math & Fashion Advice. TikTok. Lynn Yaeger: Vogue Math & Fashion Advice | TikTok
