How my first year on campus changed my style

Gianna Colarich

THE MIAMI STUDENT

I spent the entirety of my high school career in business casual. Blazers, heels, pleated skirt and quarter zips consumed my 14- to 18-yearold wardrobe, all paving the way for a “Best Dressed” senior superlative win.

As I packed up my closet for my first year at Miami University, I felt ready to enter “J. Crew U.” I spent the weeks before I left stocking up on a preppy wardrobe I thought I needed. To my surprise, I noticed a much more laid-back approach to fashion from other students when I stepped onto campus.

The shell shock really set in when I woke up for my first 8:30 a.m. class.

To no one’s surprise, the last thing I wanted to do was walk a mile across campus in my 3-inch heels or a tweed blazer in the sweltering August humidity. I was thrown yet another curveball when, under almost every single syllabus, was a dress code. Being both a dancer and a theatre major, the words “dress for movement” became all too familiar to me. It quickly became clear that my preppy, formal wardrobe wasn’t going to cut it, and it was time to embrace a more casual college look. I started to take note of the style of my peers and spent half of my first semester confused as to how everyone seemed so put together yet so effortless at the same time. I saw students embracing comfort over style, as well as various social media trends reflected in Miami style, most notably athleisure, the off-duty model and clean girl look. By the end of the semester, I was no stranger to these trends, either. colarigi@miamioh.edu feel to the whole thing. A blue dress with no arm-holes and a thick swallowed-tailed collar grabbed the audience’s attention, as such a unique piece wasn’t expected of this theme. Such a Kubrick-esque collection felt very far out there, yet it tied to “Ethereal” perfectly. It felt vintage yet modern and hardcore yet playful. There was nothing like it, and it was refreshing to see such a funky take to the theme. The final collection was senior fashion and art education double major Maeve Vulcan’s second col- lection of the night, “Transcend.”

I found freedom in merging my style with campus fashion, creating a wardrobe that’s both practical and professional. My heels became tennis shoes and my mini skirts transformed into biker shorts and flare leggings. As I began dressing casually, I found I took myself less seriously and allowed myself to have fun when it came to choosing my daily outfit and how I presented myself to the world.

Most importantly, I noticed I was just as comfortable in my appearance dressing for comfort as I was in snappy casual. It allowed me to be more flexible for whatever student life threw at me.

My first year flipped my world upside down, so it’s no surprise my style changed along with it. And if Miami had a “Best Dressed” superlative, I can’t say I would be likely to win it now. But I can say I have found a wardrobe that is a reflection of who I am, not how I wanted people to view me.

“Transcend” was the perfect closer to the show, and the audience was stunned as ’80s Barbie models paraded around in “Barbarella” bodysuits and chaps. “Transcend” could have easily passed as a Thierry Mugler collection, or possibly even Vivienne Westwood. The cream and turquoise color scheme was glamorous and combined the coastal cowboy aesthetic with a retro aesthetic. Knee-high white boots completed the look with a V-neck bodysuit and turquoise/ black mesh cape, and the entire outfit screamed, “Take a ride to heaven.”

The MUF&D fashion show flowed together perfectly, no matter how contrasting each collection was. The theme meant something different for everyone and our student designers here at Miami proved that no matter the interpretation, “Ethereal” is something that can be experienced by all.

This is an abridged version. To read the full story, visit www.miamistudent.net. leeam8@miamioh.edu

GRAPHIC BY MACEY CHAMBERLIN