FASHION
20
Wearing your name on your sleeve: In defence of the college puffer Iustina Roman stands strong for stash! Never fear, Christ Church students, she has your back.
T
his year I have noticed vehement discourse surrounding one of the university’s most iconic and yet controversial items of clothing. No, I’m not talking about scholar’s gowns, although they’re up there on the list. I’m talking about college puffer jackets. I don’t know whether College Puffer Discourse is an age-old thing, because quite frankly I don’t even know when and how they first came about – shockingly enough, there is no Wikipedia page on college stash. However, lately my Facebook feed has been inundated with Oxfesses criticising students who choose to sport college puffer jackets (amongst other things, namely those annoying ‘XYZ as colleges’ lists, please don’t even get me started on them). The author of #oxfess11746, for example, claims that anybody who wears a college puffer is a so-called ‘NPC’ to them. For those unfamiliar with the term NPC, it comes from ‘non-player character’ in video games and describes a computercontrolled background character. In the context of the real world, it means that you are a spineless person who lacks critical thinking – basically, the opposite of the Main Character. Just thinking of being called an NPC makes me shudder. I could not think of a worse insult. Shortly after the publication of said Oxfess, some countered back: the author of #oxfess11796 edited the original post by claiming that if you don’t wear a college puffer, you’re an NPC. Clearly, opinions are very divided.
Another person sought to settle the debate via a somewhat inconclusive vote based on Facebook reactions, but personally I think this issue should be fought out in a good old Union debate. Here’s where I throw in my own two cents. Actually, I mean a lot more than just two cents because as one of Cherwell’s fashion editors, I’m obviously the definitive authority on Oxford student fashion. Even if one of our other editors is very much opposed to college puffers. Sorry Madi, your views don’t count right now - everyone has to agree with me. Am I only writing all of this because I want to feel better about myself for owning one? Probably. First and foremost, I would argue that puffer jackets in general are really some of the most versatile and practical forms of outerwear, but college puffers are even more so. Mine has practically saved my life on every night out. The very large side pockets are brilliant for holding your phone/keys/lip balm/wallet/ID/a snack/ basically everything you need. For some extra security, there is a handy inner pocket where you can keep some of the more valuable stuff. Weirdly enough there’s even a large zip across the back, which I haven’t been brave enough to use yet but I have been told that it’s quite useful for carrying alcohol, so do with that what you will. My college puffer is also probably the warmest item of clothing I own, so it’s even better for going out because I can trek across Oxford to Parkend without freezing
whilst carrying all the essentials, ditch it in the cloakroom for a mere £2, pick it up at the end of the night and go home. I can honestly say that my puffer has kept me alive through storm Eunice; I haven’t worn any of my other coats these past two weeks. Now you might be thinking: is that all she has to say? College puffers are only good for going out? Well of course, there’s a lot more than that, which is where I come on to the most important and controversial aspect of these pieces – why would you walk around with a coat embroidered with your college and initials? It’s sooo tacky and cringe. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it is obnoxious to walk around being labelled with your name and college crest. But it’s also exciting. Most people, myself included, purchase a puffer in Michaelmas of their first year. I personally remember seeing all the students walking around with theirs during interviews and thinking ‘this is so cool’. I might have been 17 at the time, but that same excitement got to me when I first saw the stash order form being posted on my JCR group a year later. Personalising my order, I began to daydream of all the Oxloves I would be receiving once random people in the city could pick me out: “IRR @StA - I was absolutely enamoured as I walked past you outside Pret on Cornmarket Street. Would love to get coffee with you sometime and then offer you all my devotion and firstborn child because you’re literally the coolest person I’ve ever seen.” The possibilities were endless. Needless to say, I am still yet to receive an Oxlove, which is a huge disappointment and kind of defeats most of the point of wearing a puffer. So, if you’re reading this, you know what to do. Whilst I don’t condone profiling and judging people based on their college, I will add that being able to know which college someone goes to is kind of useful, in a non-stalker way. Now I can steer clear
of some Christchurch College students just by seeing that ridiculous coat of arms emblazoned on their chest (seriously, why is it so extravagant? And no offence to Christchurch students because some of you are decent people this is just jokes). I guess it’s just fun for my nosy self to know where people go. Having a personalised puffer unique to you does also make it very steal-proof, because walking around wearing one with a different person’s name and college is pretty bait. So even if you do happen to lose it in a random cloakroom or at a bop, chances are that you will be eventually reunited – co-editor Ciara can tell you all about her experience with losing a puffer. Did I just write an entire article based off anonymous submissions on a Facebook page? I have spent so long on Oxfess that if I see Timothée Chalamet’s name one more time I might just scream. Seriously though, ultimately it just really isn’t that deep. Let people do what they want! I won’t accept being judged by someone who owns a North Face puffer jacket. The only difference between you and me is that you paid about £200 more to look just as basic, so get off your high horse. Is this issue then just another product of the individuality complexes afflicting far too many of our Oxford students today? I would say so. Realistically, I don’t think we’ll be seeing the downfall of college puffers any time soon, as it appears that each year freshers are equally excited to get their hands on one. Since we buy them, we might as well get good use out of them! They are practical and versatile, whether you refuse to wear yours outside of Oxford or proudly take it with you wherever you go. Embrace your puffer jacket complete with the embroidered initials and college – but maybe not if you’re at Christchurch or have four letters on your chest.
It was acceptable in the 70s: Cherwell’s 70s ‘how to’ guide Our expert fashion editors have put forward their favorite aspects of 70s style to channel your inner Beatle, Bowie and Barbara Beach.
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eventies STYLE – HOW TO So you want to get the look shown on our gorgeous cast of in-and-outhouse models. Here are some top tips to getting that groovy seventies style:
Charity Shops
First of all, you have to know where to get what you need. As anyone who reads this page consistently may have guessed, we are all big advocates for charity shops. The majority of what our lovely models are wearing is sourced from them – actual vintage is super expensive, but you can find a lot of good stuff – all manner of funky shirts and jackets in particular – in the local BHF. Word to the wise – the further out of central you go, the better the things you’ll find.
Colours
This is crucial to a 70s look, and you have two choices. You can whack on the
brightest assortment of clear, bright colours possible, and a good way to stop it being too overwhelming is to pick items with different textures, which you’d think would send it over the top but somehow is actually a very good way to keep an outfit cohesive. Or you go for the palette modelled here on Jon Starkey – fifty shades of brown. People tend to forget, but this was actually a very popular shade in the mid-70s, and it can be a good way to edge into the decade if flamboyancy isn’t quite your thing.
Fur
Now, this one is a little controversial – fur is, after all, the victim of PETAs only successful campaign. But nothing says 70s louder – and you can always go faux (can you tell whose is fake and whose is real in the photos ?). I also think that if you can get it (and a lot of places do sell it for super cheap - because of how unpopular it
became right after its 70s heyday) vintage fur is Not That Bad, because as it’s already been made, it’s pretty eco-friendly to give it a second life – and faux fur doesn’t biodegrade. You can chuck one over pretty much anything, and it’ll give you an instant 70s feel. Now for a run through of the looks:Luke Moore is styled in a charity shop rose printed shirt, styled with a seventies style green snakeskin belt, pink graphic liner and a diamanté choker, alongside Ciara’s Monki leopard print coat. Ciara Beale wears an ABBA-esque vintage flared denim jumpsuit from Depop with an embroidered dog print waistcoat (which proves controversial amongst her most fashionable friends) and chunky snakeskin belt, with her mum’s vintage silver boots. Rachie Ing rocks velvet paisley flares, an orange dip-dyed and embellished vest top from a charity shop (originally Karen
Millen), and Jon’s charity shop brown cord coat. She is styled with Ciara’s homemade yellow scrunchie, oversized hoops and neon graphic liner. Alfred Dry wears a navy satin shirt with silver wide leg trousers and is accessorized with his own silver rhinestone-encrusted necklace and face rhinestones. Madi Hopper’s trousers were her friend’s stepmum’s in the seventies (!) and her tops are charity shop purchases – Madi’s look is full of colour and proof that colour clashing is a myth. Jon Starkey’s look owes itself exclusively to Weymouth ‘s finest charity shops (apparently the best charity shops in the country – can anyone else confirm?), and his look is a masterclass in layering, with various knitted pieces, a whole lot of jewellery and a stunning brown leather bomber. Iustina Roman went for the preppy side of seventies style, with a head to toe purple look (literally).
