How University Enabled me to Change my Style

A total transformation: How university enabled me to change my style

Impact’s Gemma Cockrell shares how coming to University facilitated her style transformation.

On the cusp of entering my third year of university, I feel like the person I am today is a lifetime away from who I was when I first arrived in Nottingham in 2019. During first year, my attitude towards fashion was ‘comfort is key’. During the day, I would always opt for a relaxed outfit, usually a combination of joggers and a sweatshirt or hoodie. When going out in the evening, I wasn’t too bothered about how I looked. I would often just throw on some jeans and a simple black top.

Even though my outfits weren’t objectively unfashionable, I realised that I hadn’t been using clothes to express myself. Instead, I had been wearing outfits that wouldn’t make me stand out. I wanted to blend into the crowd, but this mindset wasn’t making me happy at all. I just didn’t feel like myself. During lockdown, I decided it was time to revamp my wardrobe.

After clearing out everything that didn’t fit me anymore, it was time to make some new purchases. I made a list of pieces that I had spent the past months admiring others wearing on social media, never imagining that I would be brave enough to pull them off myself. Racing jackets, tennis skirts, baggy jeans and sweater vests were just a few of these items.

“I transformed my wardrobe into a living manifestation of my Pinterest board”

Then, using my money wisely and buying second hand wherever possible, I transformed my wardrobe into a living manifestation of my Pinterest board. Now we are emerging from lockdown, I am definitely putting more effort into my outfits, and I feel much better for it. I have finally gathered the confidence to dress the way I truly wanted to.

“I now feel more confident and happier about how I look”

I think this development in my style is a tribute to university’s acceptance of individuality and originality. Sure, there is a recognisable style that frequents the University of Nottingham campus – who doesn’t own a pair of flared trousers? But, the most defining aspect is a communal acceptance for fashion as a method of self-expression.

Of course, I still love comfort. Joggers, hoodies and sweatshirts are still valued within my wardrobe, and I wear them frequently to run errands or lounge around the house. But when I do go out, I now feel more confident and happier about how I look, and my changes have only been met with compliments. Looking back, I had nothing to fear.

By Gemma Cockrell Illustration and Page Design by Chiara Crompton