Finding fashion is an elusive quest, at least for me. I mean, it’s easy to tell the difference between someone who dresses well and someone who doesn’t, but I can’t, hard as I try, apply this distinction to myself. On any given day my getup is an assortment of T-shirts and hoodies purchased from noise-metal bands, jeans that kinda, sorta fit, Vans shoes and various other wearables whose providence is uncertain.
Hunting for fashion at PSU
Finding fashion is an elusive quest, at least for me.
I mean, it’s easy to tell the difference between someone who dresses well and someone who doesn’t, but I can’t, hard as I try, apply this distinction to myself. On any given day my getup is an assortment of T-shirts and hoodies purchased from noise-metal bands, jeans that kinda, sorta fit, Vans shoes and various other wearables whose providence is uncertain.
Basically, I’m clueless. And in an effort to educate myself, I grabbed my camera, put on my ratty sweater and harassed people who look a lot better than me.
Here’s what I learned:
1) It’s kind of awkward to approach people and compliment them on their clothing. It just seems like you’re hitting on them.
2) When tasked with identifying fashionable males, I tend to select people with ties and hats. I don’t wear ties and I don’t wear hats. I guess this means I’m self-loathing.
3) PSU students are poor. Everyone I talked with shopped at thrift stores and/or discount clothiers.
4) Pretty much everyone said that clothing should express something about your personality. What does my clothing express about me? I don’t know. This might be part of my problem.
5) There’re some snazzy dressing people here at PSU, and most of them do it on the cheap. New goal: get a hat.
Joey Triska, 17High school student, takes Solid-State Physics at PSUWhere do you shop?: “Goodwill, mainly.”What is fashion?: “Fashion is anything anybody does that other people find interesting.”What “look” are you going for?: “Frank Sinatra.”Is PSU a fashionable place?: “I think it’s above average.”
Grayce Bentley, 22Liberal studies (focus in black studies)Where do you shop?: “Nordstrom Rack, Buffalo Exchange.”What is your fashion sense?: “I like a mix of free shit … and expensive, nice things. I really just throw it together.”Are PSU students fashionable?: “They are, but sometimes it’s really forced. The hipster movement has taken hold here. They really try too hard; it’s not New York.”
Milo Hayden, 23Film majorWhat is fashion?: “Whenever someone embraces the visual aspect of their personality.”What is your fashion ethos?: “Probably expressing my personality, that’s my biggest goal. Loud. Fun. Trippy. I want eye-catching clothes, not necessarily for attention, I just want them to fit who I am.”Where do you shop?: “The Bins, Goodwill, Decades Vintage, Avalon Clothing.”Are PSU students fashionable?: “I think their primary goal is comfort. But when you look at any place with a desire for creativity, like the art department or film department, that extends to their own personal fashion.”
Hadley Johns, 20Drawing and paintingWhat is fashion?: “Decorating yourself, I guess. I don’t think it should be taken seriously.”Where do you shop?: “Buffalo Exchange. Kind of a mix. Even American Apparel, sometimes. I really like Sea Plane, but I can’t afford their clothing.”Are PSU students fashionable?: “In Food For Thought, they are. Everyone is dressing for rain lately. Spring is when the exciting fashion comes out.”
*Epic as in I walked around for 45 minutes
