By Liana Satenstein

Name: Anthony DiBenedetto

Year: Junior

Major: Finance

“I do my own thing. I don’t listen to my parents when it comes to clothing,” laughs Anthony. “And they definitely don’t approve of how I wear my pants too low. When I was little, they dressed me in overalls.” Even though Anthony is still baby-faced, he is now bearded and no longer has to wear overalls or anything else he doesn’t want to.

“I was born and raised in Queens. But it was mostly music and the group that I hung out with that influenced the way I dress,” Anthony explains to me with his Queens twang. “I grew up skateboarding. That was a big influence on my clothing. I wore brands like Atticus, Macbeth and Dickies.”

No longer sporting Dickies’ shorts that droop below the waist paired with socks almost up to the knees (“I definitely would not wear that again!” Anthony tells me as he shakes his head), Anthony has cleaned up. “When I came to college, I grew up. I was opened up to a different demographic. My music taste changed, which also opened up my style.”

“So I take it you have many influences?” I ask.

“Yeah, I do. I like a whole range of people. I like Lupe Fiasco; he puts himself together well. I like Rob Dyrdek, a professional skateboarder, and Tom Delong of Blink 182.”

“And what are your favorite pieces?”

“Definitely my Nikes and my ‘fitteds.'”

“A ‘fitted’? I have absolutely no idea what that is.”

Anthony grins at me, “A ‘fitted’ is a hat. They have certain sizes. I wear them to the side or below my ears. I have about 10 hats; hats and shoes are my thing.”

“What trends do you not like?”

“I’m not really into Urban Outfitters. I’m not one to judge, but they claim they are not trying to be trendy when in reality it’s not like that.” Anthony takes a breath then continues. “I’m saying that everyone has their own. Style doesn’t represent who you really are, but it is an image. It shows how you want to convey yourself and carry yourself.” Anthony pauses. “I just like to be comfortable and confident. I don’t like to feel constricted by anything; I don’t conform. I just wear what I want according to my mood.”

“So tell me, boxers or briefs?”

“Boxers. I like to feel free. Sometimes, I even go commando.” Anthony looks up and smiles, his cheeks begging to pinched. “I do what I want.”