As a new academic year dawns, the Penn State Fashion Society, a student organization focused on fashion and culture, has offered some tips on how freshmen can express themselves with new trends. in their new surroundings.
After observing recent trends of “oversized looks, chunky shoes and chunky boots,” Emma Garber, Community Liaison Officer for FSPS, said she was interested in seeing some “creativity” from the new class.
“I think it’s more fun for people to have their own identity in their clothes,” said Garber (junior public relations).
Within FSPS, support for individuality and “diversity” in fashion has been widespread, she said.
“I know many FSPS members have their own brands or just love creating and designing their own pieces,” said FSPS President Sage Kugler. “It’s so fun to see the talent these people have.”
Garber said she actually created her own clothing brand and promoted sustainability by using recycled materials.
“I decided to create clothing out of something called ‘lenticular prints,’ which is basically two images printed on a piece of plastic,” Garber said. “And when you turn them from side to side, they change their image.”
Kugler (higher education in art and psychology) said she loves “the rise of vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces in people’s wardrobes” as well as DIY projects, as opposed to “trendy” and “fast-paced” clothing. -fashion” that you might see on campus.
“We’ve seen ’70s styles come back lately, and it’s fun to find ’70s pieces at your local thrift store, vintage store, or even Depop,” Kugler said.
Garber said people should try to save more money at State College, especially freshmen, because there are “really good” places to “just dig.”
Gabrielle Leach, the FSPS treasurer, said it was “so much easier” to see new trends and buy clothes online. However, constantly buying these products and throwing them away has “consequences” because it creates a “larger carbon footprint”, she said.
“I think social media drives a lot of trends,” Garber said. “For people trying to develop their own personal style, they need to stick to more of the basics, like basic colors and basic patterns and things that won’t age.”
The “monochromatic” style is growing in popularity, said Leach (junior environmental research manager). Leather pants, corsets and halter tops have increased significantly, she said.
“People are going to respect your outfit if they can respect the person wearing it,” Leach said.
Garber agreed and said she owned “a million black and white t-shirts, tank tops [and] long sleeves” in “different variations” that she layers with accessories or statement pieces.
By sticking to the “basics,” people can still “get the trendy stuff” but can lean on it, Garber said. That way, “it’s not like you throw out your entire wardrobe every six months.”
“There’s nothing wrong with staying on trend, but I think it’s important to find how these pieces represent you and not the trend itself,” Kugler said.
With this advice, Garber, Kugler and Leach said they want to motivate freshmen to express themselves in unique ways.
“No matter who you are or what you look like, whatever style you decide to wear that day, it will look great if you wear it with confidence,” Leach said. “Fashion is meant to be fun and exciting, to make you feel good about yourself.”
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