For some students, the most daunting thing about starting a new school year is figuring out where their classes are, making new friends or adjusting to dorm life. But for others, something far more concerning looms: “What am I going to wear?”
For students with an eye for fashion, the first day was a chance to make an impression. They shared the details behind their outfits and offered advice for students looking to expand their style.
Ashley Lee
Ashley Lee poses in her Gyaru-inspired look | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Gyaru guru Ashley Lee, a sophomore biology major, put on a show in her signature Japanese street-style look. Decked out from head to toe, from tooth gems to knee-high boots, Lee said she takes inspiration from her mother, who was a Gyaru in the 2000s. However, her favorite part of her look is not her clothing—it’s another art form.
“My makeup is always my favorite part of my outfit, but a close second would be my belt,” Lee said.
Her belt is no simple honorable mention—it’s adorned with a skull-and-bones design and gold detailing straight from Japan.
To someone who wants to experiment more with their style, Lee said to “just be yourself.”
“Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment because we all start somewhere,” Lee said.
Sarah Berry
Sarah Berry poses in her fall aesthetic look | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Sophomore Sarah Berry, a political science major, opted for a pink, fall-inspired look. Her pink-and-white striped sweater complemented her light-wash jeans and matched her pink tote bag.
As it is her favorite color, it’s no surprise that the highlight of her outfit is “[her] sweater…it’s pink.”
For someone who wants to get more into fashion, Berry recommends Pinterest.
“That’s where I look for every single one of my outfits,” Berry said.
Stephen Davies and Sophiya Roka
Stephen Davies poses with Sophiya Roka on the first day of class | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Sophomores Stephen Davies, a political science major, and Sophiya Roka, a marketing and global supply chain major, went for two different looks, yet both stood out in their own way. Davies went for a clean, “hard” camo look, while Roka chose an all-out Y2K vibe.
While Roka “loves accessorizing” her outfits, Davies prefers to focus on coordinating his pieces.
“I just like how the tie comes together with the pants,” Davies said.
Both Davies and Roka offered advice to those who want to experiment more with their style this year.
“Don't care about what anybody else is wearing or what anybody else thinks,” Roka said. “Just wear what you want to.”
Davies recommends “start[ing] with the basics.”
“Get your essentials down, and then just go from there,” Davies said.
Lai Miller and Olivia Harrigan
Olivia Harrigan and Lei Miller show off their first day outfits | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Lai Miller, a sophomore social work and psychology major, and Olivia Harrigan, a sophomore exercise science major, were stunting in the dining hall so hard they may have caused some students to choke on their food.
Harrigan opted for a “traditional school look” with her collared, striped button-up and skirt, while Miller chose an outfit that “gives office, school-girl.”
According to Harrigan, her shirt is what makes her outfit, and she got it from TJ Maxx.
“I got such a good deal on it,” Harrigan said. “The brown and the blue…my favorite colors.”
Similar to Harrigan, Miller also favors her top.
“The shirt is from Shein, you know, cute on a budget,” Miller said. “I just feel like it ties the look all together.”
When someone is shopping to elevate their style, Harrigan recommends not only buying name-brand pieces.
“Venture out and try other stores…you can get great deals and cute outfits,” Harrigan said. “You have to put stuff together; don't just buy expensive clothes.”
Khalil Crumes
Khalil Crumes stuns in his layered look in the dining hall | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Khalil Crumes, a senior accounting and criminal justice major and president of the Student Government Association, certainly stood out on the first day, showing off his layered look.
His graphic, thermal long-sleeve shirt with a tucked jersey layered over it made for one of the day's more experimental outfits. The shirt’s pinkish-orange detailing complemented his jeans, while his shoes and matching bag completed the look.
“My outfit is very street-style,” Crumes said. “I always love to switch it up a little bit, like with this little off-the-shoulder moment.”
Sometimes, outfits come together in unique ways—and for Crumes, his outfit was determined by his dirty laundry.
“I really wanted to wear my pink pants because they were the only pair of pants that weren't in the laundry pile today,” Crumes said.
At least we know he washes his clothes.
Asiya Amin
Asiya Amin poses in her colorful Spring-inspired look | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Asiya Amin, a senior social work major, chose a colorful “summer spring vibe” for the first day.
“I love colorful colors and ruffles and whimsy,” Amin said. “Right now, I'm wearing an Easter-style cardigan, a purple undertop, a tutu and some jeans.”
Amin encourages students to experiment with their style: “Don’t be afraid to be bold.”
“Don't be afraid of colors, expand your jewelry closet and accessorize,” Amin said. “A lot of people have this perception that you need a time and place to be fashionable. You really don't. Literally, go out, even if it's just for class.”
Jazz Slaughter
Jazz Slaughter shows off her grunge-inspired outfit | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Jazz Slaughter, a junior social and behavioral sciences major, showed up as an “eccentric grunge baddie” on the first day of class.
“These are my favorite shoes ever,” Slaughter said. “I got them last year. My mom bought them for me, and I wear them like every day now.”
Slaughter encourages students to “express themselves through fashion.”
“Try stuff without worrying about what someone else is gonna say, without worrying about if it is an aesthetic that's trending or if it is something that other people are gonna hate on,” Slaughter said. “Just wear what you want to wear.”
Alex Fry
Alex Fry poses in his first-day outfit | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Alex Fry, a senior economics and finance major, has a more casual approach to choosing his outfits for class.
“I kind of just put the clothes on and it kind of works out,” Fry said. “[My outfit] is a little studious…a little performative.”
His first-day outfit differs from his usual attire, as Fry typically avoids collared shirts.
“I got this shirt from my friend who thrifted it. I was like, ‘I’ll buy that from you,’” Fry said. “He definitely charged more than it should have been.”
As for those who want to get out of their comfort zone with fashion this year, Fry reminds students that sometimes that it might not always look the best, but you have to start somewhere.
“Just try new things,” Fry said. “Sometimes it's gonna look kind of bad, but you just have to give it a shot.”
Amara McCowan
Amara McCowan poses in her detailed first day outfit | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Adorned in accessories, Amara McCowan, a junior psychology major, chose an alternative look. She wore an off-the-shoulder graphic tee, dark-wash shorts, fishnets, knee-high boots and an amalgamation of accessories.
“I love lots of layers,” McCowan said. “I love being more bottom-heavy in outfits, so I tend to layer down there.”
Her top certainly stood out, with its stripes and worn, graphic details.
“It's such a unique shirt, and I got it at this vintage shop that I really love that I volunteer at,” McCowan said.
To find your unique style, McCowan said to “figure out what you actually like and not what other people like.”
Nick Epstein
Nick Epstein poses on the green during the first day of class | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Nick Epstein, a sophomore biochemistry major, went for a cool, casual look with a collared shirt and graphic jeans. One noticeable theme: brown.
“My favorite color is brown…I just really like wearing brown,” Epstein said.
His favorite part? His Goodfellow tee.
“It’s light, breathable,” Epstein said.
Dressing is not about pleasing others, but about yourself, according to Epstein.
“Don’t dress to impress, dress to make yourself feel good,” Epstein said. “Don't be scared of other people thinking negatively about you. When you love what you wear, it makes you feel good.”
Josh Polanco and Dakota Harrison
Josh Polanco and Dakota Harrison show off their first day fits | Photo by Lianna Cruz | The Setonian
Sophomores Josh Polanco, a finance major, and Dakota Harrison, a digital media and advertising major, didn’t shy away from color.
Polanco sported a bright green GV Gallery zip-up, camo shorts and colorful Nikes to pull the fit together, while Harrison opted for a quiet yet fashionable collared long-sleeve, denim pants and a pair of LX Old Skool 36 Vans.
Harrison described his outfit as “clean,” “organized” and “authentic to [him]self.” In contrast, Polanco called his “very loud and concrete.”
While their outfits varied in style, their favorite aspect of each outfit did not.
“[My favorite part] is my underwear…I went Skims on my drawers,” Harrison said. “Shoutout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”
Polanco agreed, making sure to announce that “[he] went ‘preme on the drawers.”
“Supreme boxers, to be exact,” Polanco said.
And that’s the beauty about first day fashion—sometimes, outfits are about more than what meets the eye…literally.
Lakyn Austin is the Managing Editor of The Setonian. She can be reached at lakyn.austin@student.shu.edu.
