Fashion At BU

How Students at Boston University Set Themselves Apart from the Crowd Through Fashion

Written by Alexandria Sharpley Design by Karoline Cunico Photographed by Andrew Logue

Given a group of college students from all over the country, how would you pick out a Boston University Student? Could you? In the grand scheme of things, students at BU seem to be better dressed than the average college student. Is it the urban setting? The weather? Schedules? Regardless, something many of us quickly learned upon arriving at BU is that the norm of sweatpants everyday doesn’t apply here. I mean…we all have our days.

“My schedule makes me think about my outfits more than most,” said Riley Holcomb (COM ‘22). “Depending on the day, I could have class, work on-campus, and need to go into the city.” For Holcomb, comfort also plays a role. Her outfits have to be versatile and work in multiple settings. For Holcomb, this often looks like a good pair of jeans, a classy top or tee, and a hoodie or jacket depending on the weather and occasion. Long walks to class along Comm. Ave also make practicality a priority. She recommends good walking shoes as a requirement for any outfit.

For many students at BU, the key to building outfits is finding a balance between being cozy and looking put together. Cassie McKiernan (Questrom ‘22) finds this balance in coordinated sweatsuits. “Wearing a monochrome sweatsuit looks so much better than wearing any old pair of sweatpants and a hoodie,” McKiernan said. “Plus you get to be comfortable all day.” Being comfortable is important when you’re running around all day. In addition to classes, McKiernan keeps busy by serving as the president of her sorority and working as a Questrom Dean’s Assistant. McKiernan also swears by wearing her collection of gold rings and earrings everyday. “Accessorizing well elevates any outfit.” She also recommends buying colorful face masks that you can match with your outfits.

The weather in Boston is another factor affecting how students dress. Hot days see students in biker shorts and sunnies, while the winter forces students into their puffy coats. Investing in a good jacket and boots is a must if you plan on going outside. Doc Martens are the versatile boot of choice for many BU students, as you can wear them in any season. A good pair of sneakers are also a must for long walks along Comm. Ave. Veja sneakers and platform Converse have been popular picks recently.

As we head into the spring, it will be interesting to see how the fashion trends continue to develop on campus. With the university slowly returning to its preCOVID environment, students have more opportunities than ever to show off their personal style.