Signature Style 12

3 contributors 4

letter from the editors

5 - 8

androgynous fashion

9 - 14

roaring 20s

15 - 18

jewelry

19 - 22

glasses

23 - 24

glossy makeup

25 - 26

fashion abroad: dublin

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student highlight: winda

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behind the cover: wade

Christine Rosato and Ruthie Schmidt Co Editors-in-Chief Tiffany Lopes, Managing Editor Sophie Boorstin, Editorial Director Brenne Hoeven, Photography Director Grace Halligan, Layout Director Piper Williams, Beauty Director Naomi Berger, Head Stylist Nani Suzuki, Publicity Director Photographers Penelope Hoopes, Maddie Lawson, Kimberly Ly, Alex Seewald Stylists Andrew Charman, Emily Fienco, Emmy Goodwin, Surya Gowda, Lydia Gross, Anna Sakamato, Alex Walen Beauty Team Mahi Ghia, Grace Halligan, Jackie Prunier, Emma Mae Regan, Erica Seff Writers Danie Edwards, Eda Keni, Katherine Kim, Elle McCusker, Eric Miller Bella Moses, Lily Qiu, Laura Radulescu Copy Editors Danie Edwards, Katherine Kim, Laura Radulescu, Lily Williams Layout Team Isabelle Crownhart, Andrea Hayman, Julia Opatrny, Piper Williams Models Aimee Booth, Joey Centanni, Andy Jian, Nicolette van Kesteren, Jason Le, Amari Leigh, Jade Levitin, Hana Lindsey, Tiffany Lopes, Maya Matthews, Elle McCusker, Olivia Mills, Jack Nelson, Alex Walen, Winda Wanikpun, Zack Weinstein, Wade Steely, Cherry Zhang

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Whether you are viewing this magazine in a digital format, or hopefully at some point physically, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting Signature Style. This issue, Signature Style 12, is the last issue to which we will have the absolute pleasure of contributing. Despite the obstacles we have faced in publishing due to the crazy state of affairs we are currently living in- we are so proud to say that we did it. Thank you to every member of the Signature Style team who worked so hard to produce this issue, and thank you to YOU, our wonderful readers and supporters who make it all worth it.

In times like these when the future is uncertain, it is especially important to remember what we are grateful for. We are grateful for this magazine that for the last four years has given us a space to share our creativity and passions. We are grateful for Hamilton College and its community of inspiring and talented individuals. We hope this issue brings light in times of chaos and transports you back to our amazing campus and community, wherever in the world you may be. Use this time to be inspired and creative.

Thank you again to everyone who made this magazine so special for us.

Signing off, Christine and Ruthie

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written by Katherine Kim

With A-list stars like Harry Styles and Zendaya walking down the red carpet in delicate blouses and form-fitting suits, and popular designers dressing models in chic gender neutral ensembles for their 2020 Spring-Summer collections, the pendulum of fashion swings more towards androgyny every day. When someone says the word “androgynous,” a popular name that now comes to mind is Billie Eilish. Eilish has undoubtedly influenced the shift towards genderless fashion with her pop star status. She uses one of the many techniques that make your outfits more gender neutral.

Eilish emulates androgyny by wearing oversized

shirts and sweatpants or shorts. This relies on how people often use silhouettes to gender code the wearer.

However, wearing bagging clothing is not the only way achieve the androgynous look. People usually perceive feminine clothing to have curves, while associating stream-lined outfits with masculinity. 2019 Model of the Year, Adut Akech, strolled down the Marc Jacobs runway wearing a hip-hugging black dress and a boxy leather jacket that emphasized the straight lines of her shoulders and arms. You can take inspiration from Akech’s look and combine silhouettes, which will definitely add an adrogynous element to any outfit.

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If combinations sound like too much coordination for you to worry about every morning, consider fabric and color. Soft, delicate, and lightly colored fabrics usually get associated with feminine fashion. In contrast, darker and more coarse fabrics get coded as masculine. To get your clothes looking more androgynous, engage in either aesthetic sphere to your comfort level.

Zendaya shows off this concept effortlessly, as she tends to wear neutral or dark-colored fabrics whenever she attends a special event in one of her incredible suits. King Princess also happens to embody this concept well, especially with her signature combo of delicate corset tops and thick blazer tops.

If you’re still not sure how to look andrognyous, start looking back in history for some famous instances of when fashion strayed away from strict gender markings.

During the Seventies, both men and women wore thick cuffed pants or bell-bottoms, making them a staple of gender neutral

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fashion and a favorite piece of Harry Styles, whose entire wardrobe takes inspiration from the Seventies. In the times of both Elizabethan England and Nineties Grunge, men wore ostentatious accessories and patterns without anyone blinking an eye.

Paintings of Henry VIII show elaborate necklaces and finely embroidered doublets, while Kurt Cobain gave performances to stadiums in excessively striped shirts, colorful blazers, and even the occasional dress. When you’re fresh out of ideas in the present, it’s best to take note of the past, as androgyny has grown popular in more generations than the 2020s.

models: Jason Le, Jade Levitin stylists: Surya Gowda, Andrew Charman beauty: Mahi Ghia photographers: Brenne Hoeven layout: Julia Opatrny

With one look at the Little Women photoshoot of Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet, the ongoing trend of wearing blazers casually, and the praise Billy Porter received for his Christian Siriano gown in last year’s Oscars, you’ll realize that androgyny is gradually spreading through the sphere of fashion in a variety of forms. It’s a trend that’s definitely turning heads in appreciation, so if you’re interested, jump into your wardrobe and start experimenting with different pieces to find that perfect gender neutral ensemble.

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the 9

roaring

’S

written by Eda Keni

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The twenties are back!

The twenties are back! One of the most iconic decades in fashion history, the roaring twenties, modernized everyday wear and incorporated elements of glitz and glamour into every look.

Influenced by the “Jazz Age” and the high spirits and economic prosperity resulting from the conclusion of World War I, women began to wear more loose-fitting clothing and adopted the custom of wearing dresses daily. Meanwhile, men started leaning more towards sportswear, which included trends such as narrower and shorter pants. In popular culture, this decade has become legendary for its parties and the mesmerizing outfits that people wore to these events – The Great Gatsby will probably come to mind. In a word, parties in the 1920’s were extravagant: think headpieces, fur stoles, embellishments, flapper dresses, opera gloves, and colorful suits. However, this time around, achieving your signature twentytwenties look won’t necessarily mean dressing head-to-toe in a flapper costume.

Sparkles are a quintessential component of the modern twenties look. Dresses, suits, and pants covered in sequins or glitter have become increasingly popular. Classic colors such as silver, black, and red will always make you exude glamor.

Similarly, anything beaded will help you channel your inner Daisy Buchanan. Another trend to provide some visual movement to your ensembles is faux-fur trim: this trim usually wraps around the top hem of blouses and dresses with straight necklines, or around the bottom hem of flared pants. Fringed pieces also add movement to any look – to elevate this even further, try something with beaded fringe.

In terms of silhouettes, drop-waist dresses are back in style. Modern takes on this shape include eye-catching dresses with more skirt tiers.

Mini dresses and skirts are party-ready as always. A more creative look to try could be a low-neck suit jacket paired with flared pants and finished off with multiple accessories.

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It’s not unexpected that accessories like pearls will always be timeless. To look effortlessly chic, just go with a traditional pearl necklace or try opting for an oversized pearl barrette for your hair. Over-the-top earrings can also add an extra bit of glitz to any outfit. A bow-tie, especially a fun one – think sparkles, patterns, textures – also has the ability to really make any outfit pop. Small purses are always a convenient party accessory, and beaded purses or even beaded fringe purses add a great final touch to any outfit. To add a bit more glamor to a relatively simple outfit, you can also try fastening on a rhinestone belt.

Whether you’re attending a party or just going about your daily life, incorporating twenties-inspired elements is an easy way to up your look, embrace the times, and pay homage to the roaring twenties.

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models: Zack Weinstein, Aimee Booth, Tiffany Lopes, Joey Centanni, Hana Lindsey stylists: Andrew Charman, Surya Gowda, Alex Walen, Emily Fienco beauty: Piper Williams, Jackie Prunier, Erica Seff, Emma Mae Regan photographers: Penelope Hoopes layout: Piper Williams

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JEWELRY

by Lily Qiu 15

There’s no wrong way to wear jewelry. Whether you’re going for a minimalist or an extravagant look, putting on a piece of jewelry is an easy way to personalize any outfit. Jewelry truly has no limits. The variety of jewelry comes not only from its different forms, but also from different materials, textures, and colors. By experimenting with jewelry, you can help draw attention to parts of your clothing, makeup, and body that you want to highlight.

Lately, it’s become increasingly popular to stack your jewelry and build a look with multiple pieces. If you’re stacking necklaces, choose necklaces that vary in length and style. Using necklaces of different colors, lengths, and materials can help draw attention to a lower neckline.

A great and easy way to do this is to choose simple chains or chains with different pendants, which can help to create a cohesive, yet unique look.

Selecting a specific theme or color scheme for the necklaces can also provide a more unified and elegant look.

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When it comes to stacking bracelets, everything is a little different. In contrast to necklaces, bracelet stacking tends to be more visually appealing if you incorporate a wide variety of bracelets. Clashing colors, textures, and materials is a great way to add visual flair and creativity to an outfit, especially if you’re sporting short sleeves. Stacking colorful bracelets made of materials like yarn or string add a bohemian element to an outfit, whereas stacking silver or gold bracelets add a chic element to any look.

With rings, it’s important to keep shapes in mind when choosing which ones to pair together. Chunkier rings typically look better when worn on their own, while more simplistic and smaller rings can be stacked on the same finger. Rings also provide a great opportunity to experiment with mixing metals. Don’t

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shy away from mixing gold, silver, and rose gold.

Mixing metals, with whatever jewelry you choose, adds extra dimension and flare to any outfit.

Another great way to stack jewelry is with earrings.

That being said, this look is definitely easier if you have multiple piercings. Cartilage piercings have become increasingly popular and so have double and triple piercings. However, many jewelry brands sell cuff earrings that are easy to experiment with if you don’t have piercings or if you want to see what a new piercing would look like. The trend of wearing multiple, different sized hoop earrings has recently become an everyday look. However, consider mixing metals if you want to try out this style but in a more elevated way. Experimenting with jewelry is a simple way to create a more cohesive and lively look with minimal effort.

models: Jack Nelson, Liv Mills, Amari Leigh stylists: Emmy Goodwin, Emily Fienco, Naomi beauty: Emma Mae Regan, Grace Halligan photographers: Alexandra Seawald layout: Julia Opatrny

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The year is 1970. Inside the Troubadour, LA’s premiere venue for rock-n-roll that has showcased legends such as Van Morrison and Carole King, a hush falls over the crowd. A man steps out on stage. He is clad in a skin-tight black shirt patterned with stars and bell-button denim overalls, a perfect picture of the state of fashion at the turn of the decade. On the bridge of his nose sits the piece that draws it all together, a pair of diamond-studded aviator glasses.

Sir Elton John’s debut concert at the Troubadour propelled the artist into global fame that would lead to him selling more than three million records, recording more than fifty Top 40 hits, and winning five Grammy awards. A musical legend of the 20th century, Elton John is also known for his bold fashion choices, and in particular, his statement eyewear. The artist is rumored to own over 200,000 pairs of glasses, the most outlandish of which he had custom made by designer Marie Wilkinson of the British eyewear brand Cutler & Cross. Over the years, Elton John has dawned every kind of eyewear imaginable from pink sunglasses studded with real Swarovski crystals to round glasses with miniature polka-dot drop-down awnings over each lens.

Elton John’s adventurous eyewear stands out not only because of its extravagance, but because it is unique. For much of history, high fashion saw prescription glasses as a medical necessity for people who were “smart,” and not necessarily fashionable. Sunglasses were fun and were worn on luxury beaches by top models. They could be big and colorful, whereas prescription glasses were decidedly unremarkable. Ordinary people, however, have always needed glasses and have found ways to make them more fashionable. In the 1950s, cat-eye lenses became a new statement piece for the working women, and in the 1970s, due in part to the influence of Elton John, oversized geometric glasses became popular among the generation of rock and roll. Recently it seems that high fashion may be catching on.

written by Bella Moses

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models: Maya Matthews, Alex Walen, Cherry Zhang stylists: Lydia Gross beauty: Jackie Prunier, Erica Seff photographers: Kimberly Ly layout: Andrea Hayman

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Gucci featured glasses prominently on its Fall 2020 runway, and the brand’s out-of-the-box eyewear collections have been a defining piece of its character in recent years. Both Prada and Chanel launched eyewear campaigns, and many celebrities flaunt colorful and unconventional eyewear everywhere from the red carpet to the streets of NYC. Fast fashion brands have also started selling glasses purely for fashion purposes, without prescription lenses.

Of course we can’t all be Elton John, but if you are a glasses-wearer like me I urge you to rethink the way you wear your spectacles and try something a little more fun the next time you need a new pair. Glasses, even though they often go unnoticed, can be a fantastic way to accessorize your everyday look. They are the ultimate practical, yet fashionable accessory.

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! n i s i y Gloss

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GLOW!

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student highlight: Winda Wanikpun Senior Winda Wankipun’s style has been influenced by her hometown of Bangkok, Thailand, her many travels, and her time at Hamilton. Growing up in Bangkok, Winda had to adjust her personal style to the humidity. She explains that the weather there “means no jeans, no heavy jackets, and definitely no sneakers.” Instead, she tends to choose lighter pieces with flowy silhouettes and more breathable fabrics like linen and cotton. At first, Winda found it difficult to mesh her breezy Bangkok style with her style abroad. However, Winda realized “you don’t have to show much skin at all to look good in an outfit.” This led to her appreciation of pieces other than denim cutoffs and helped her discover her obsession with trousers. As for her style evolution at Hamilton, Winda feels like the more she has grown into herself, the more expressive she has become with her clothes. Specifically, Winda said that being a part of such a small community has pushed her to refine her sense of individuality. Although constantly changing with her personal growth, Winda’s current style falls somewhere along the lines of comfy chic; perfect for lounging, studying, and keeping warm at Hamilton. To maintain a comfortable look without sacrificing style, Winda incorporates tailored yet functional pieces into her outfits, like a pair of well-fitting jeans or simple sneakers. While shopping, Winda always looks for timeless staples like these that withstand changing trends. She stressed that comfort is of the utmost importance to her when it comes to her style. Unsurprisingly, Winda just couldn’t live without her Rolla’s jeans. Ever since she bought them, she hasn’t been able to take them off because of their perfect combination of straight-leg and stretch, and great structure and wash.

Also, Rolla’s Jeans is an ethical brand, which is something that’s extremely important to Winda as well. Speaking of ethics, Winda has been trying to avoid fast-fashion stores and stick to more sustainable brands. Some of her favorite sustainable brands include Reformation (who can say no to their gorgeous prints?!) and Everlane (specifically their denim). In addition to these newer brands, Winda has also been dedicating more time to thrifting. She has found some unique pieces while hunting for fun vintage items, including a seven dollar suede blazer. If she’s searching for more discounts, Winda often looks at online secondhand retailers like Thredup and The Real Real. Both sites have vintage designer clothing at good prices.

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written by Danie Edwards

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models: Winda Wanikpun stylists: Alex Walen beauty: Mahi Ghia photographers: Maddie Lawson layout: Andrea Hayman

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In addition to finding uncommon pieces at thrift stores, Winda personalizes her style in other ways, like adding classic, yet sophisticated jewelry as a finishing touch. For such a small item, Winda believes that jewelry can bring a lot of personality to an outfit that needs a little umph, even if it’s just simple gold hoops. Winda also swears by finding a good tailor. We all have old jeans or blouses at the back of our closet that we bought but never wore, and Winda eventually realized that tailors can fix this problem. Once she found a tailor that worked for her, she started sporting pieces that she never thought she would wear again. Winda looks to a lot of different people (and objects) including influencers, artists, friends, and even furniture for more style inspiration. Her fashion icons include individuals with unique personal styles that embody what Winda herself loves about fashion. Some of her favorite icons include Jenny aka wearilive who works a lot with fun colors and patterns, Allegra Shaw who has great tips on accessorizing, and Arden Rose. Most importantly though, Winda draws most of her inspiration from Alex Chung, or in Winda’s words, “the queen of making a plain white t-shirt and jeans look chic.” Although Instagram is a great source for finding stylish influencers and outfit ideas, Winda can often just look to her friends who embody their different cultures and backgrounds through their style. Finally, as far as the furniture goes, sometimes Winda just has the urge to “emanate the energy of a vintage turquoise velvet sofa” through her clothing.

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written by Eric Miller

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Before sitting down to interview him, I had no previous contact with Wade Steely. Contrary to what I had hoped, I was given very little in the way of background on the man, a senior from Larchmont, NY, majoring in Economics and French here at Hamilton College. With a name that sounded more at home in a Marvel movie, I half expected someone with an inflated ego and equally loud style to match.

This was not the Wade Steely I met. Wearing a blue Harrington jacket, a vintage color-block blue sweater, light wash jeans, and white Diadora court shoes, his style is comfortable but conscious, reserved but expressive. It is an outward appearance that is as honest and confident as he is with himself. This is not a coincidence, but a reflection of his own journey of self-realization and actualization.

For Wade, this process has manifested itself most evidently in his personal style, which he describes as “not too flashy, not too intimidating.” His philosophy comes from a place of self-awareness and understanding. “For me,” he says, “it’s not so much about what you wear, but rather how you wear it. It’s about confidence and being true to myself. I don’t try to present myself as something I’m not.” He sources much of his wardrobe from thrifting, as sustainability plays a major role in his decision-making. When I ask him about his favorite places to shop online, he seems to be at a loss. “I don’t do too much online shopping,” he responds. “Whatever I don’t thrift, I take from my family. I have a twin brother, and honestly, I take a lot of his clothes.” However, he credits most of his vintage aesthetic to his father. “My dad has a lot of old shirts,” he continues, “like, sometimes I’ll help myself to his wardrobe and borrow anything he’s forgotten about.”

He laughs as he claims responsibility for this petty theft.

Some of his favorite clothes, though, have been acquired throughout his life at Hamilton. He points out to me that the t-shirt he is wearing under his sweater comes from the Harvest initiative, a goods-recovery program at the College that diverts leftover food from Commons and McEwen to food pantries in the Central New York area. “I love getting free shirts,” he says, “they just tend to find me.”

For Wade, embracing the free merchandise that comes with virtually every on-campus event and activity adds a new dimension to his style. By incorporating student-designed apparel into his outfits, he keeps an active record of his involvement in the Hamilton community. He considers his engagement with the Hamilton community to be an integral driver in the development of his sense of style and self.

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Coming from Westchester County, a suburban area that is not typically bracketed with expressive fashion or creativity, despite its proximity to the cultural hub of New York City, Wade did not grow up in an environment that placed much emphasis on individual style. Arriving at Hamilton, therefore, was a breath of fresh air for him. “Although Hamilton struggles with diversity,” he explains to me, “it is less homogeneous than where I’m from, and seeing people at Hamilton follow more unconventional trends has helped inspire me to become more expressive.” However, for most people, making the transition to any college is still a daunting experiment in acceptance, both internally and externally. This was no different for Wade, who attributes his evolution during his college years to finding out what he wanted to do, without succumbing to judgment or the pressure to follow norms set by friend groups.

He has patiently established his place on campus over the past three-and-a-half years through trial and error, giving a fair chance to any activity that intrigues him. As a senior, he now feels most at home in an eclectic variety of organizations. He describes it as “a bunch of odd things,” including the Hamilto ok n Marathon Canoe team, his band “Grime Time,” the WHCL E-board, and the Delta Chi fraternity. He finds that being in Grime Time affords him a high degree of self-expression not only through music, but also through his fashion choices: “What you wear when you’re on stage is a more conscious effort for me,” he tells me.

Looking back on his earlier self at Hamilton, he laments his initial fear of pursuing what interested him. “I’ve realized there’s so much going on here and so many ways to get involved, and I sometimes regret not taking advantage of all the resources that were available to me all this time.”

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model: Wade Steeley stylist: Naomi Berger beauty: Piper Williams photographer: Brenne Hoeven layout: Grace Halligan

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