By Lauren Gunsel
Many University students have done it at some point or another. You may be doing it right now. What is it? Wearing an article of clothing, or possibly a pair of shoes that qualifies as a bonafide fashion fad, which comes and goes as fast as you can say UGG. It doesn’t take too long to think of a trend that has plagued the University’s students. Where do fashion trends go when they die? There are some students that think judgment day is here for some of the styles people are rocking on campus.
According to students surveyed, topping the list of styles that need to go away include: fake tans, guys with overly waxed eyebrows, the “hedgehog” spiked hair look, UGGs, flip-flops and Von Dutch hats. Styles that are currently appreciated include: long hair on guys, blazers, vintage clothes and jeans. Students love to hate the 80s styles that have somehow found their way to today’s fashion.
Aside from their studies, the University’s student body seems to focus a lot on image. Whether they desire to conform to a certain “look” or they want to attempt originality-a novel idea, eye-catching fashion statements are ever present on campus.
“I have succumbed to almost every trend, especially designer jeans or any trend I have liked,” Ana Hirsbrunner, a senior, said. “But for school, I don’t think you should look like you are going clubbing.”
Along with the daytime clubbing look, apparently the “gangster look” is out, as well.
“Baggy, unicolor, gangster clothing needs to go,” as one University freshman specified, “Along with those white t-shirts that go down to the knees that look ridiculous.”
Jermaine Spradly, a senior English major, said, “I would like for guys to stop wearing button ups with white Air-Force Ones and pink shirts.”
Some people justify succumbing to trends, citing comfort and functionality. Many people blame their liking to clothes such as Juicy velour sweat suits or UGGs boots, due to comfort. Spradley also dislikes snow boots, especially in the summer.
“They are ridiculous because they are not practical and cause smelly feet,” Spradley said.
Erica Schultz, a senior journalism major, confesses that she loves her UGGs, despite the fact that many students express their distaste.
“I love them because they are so comfy, not because they are the latest trend,” Schultz said.
Maybe if UGGs felt more like Stilettos, which were often mentioned as continuously en vogue at the University, more students may have opted to leave them behind with last winter’s trends. Other fads which students recognize as “native to Hofstra” include: Sorority and Fraternity black windbreakers (who wears windbreakers anymore?), pajama pants, Seven jeans, BMWs, shorts skirts with UGGs, the “Jesus piece,” or gold crosses and designer labels.
“I’m so sick of the ‘You’re-not-cool-unless-you-have-a _______ (fill in blank with expensive designer – i.e. Louis Vuitton)-bag-attitude,'” Christina Sobeski, a junior, said.
Katie Cubisino, a senior speech communications major, said, “It is one thing if you actually have style to begin with, but it really bothers me that people think they have fashion sense just because they own a bag with designer initials on it.”
If high-end designer labels are out, and vintage style is in, this means you can dress “hip” for a lot less. However, this requires looking beyond Roosevelt Field Mall. Some vintage stores to check out in NYC: Alice Underground (Broadway between Broome & Prince), Screaming Mimi’s which is located at 382 Lafayette St., Metropolis, which is located at 43 Third Ave. between 9th and 10th streets, or the flea market on 6th Avenue between 24th and 26th streets on the weekend.
If funds are short this season, one can even trade old clothes at shops like Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn. They buy based on season, condition, demand and inventory levels.
“Affordability is one of the major advantages of buying vintage and second hand,” sales representative Beth Moon said. “People find clothes and accessories in here that are in-style now, since designers tend to replicate retro styles.”
Many styles for females have turned from trashy to classy. The Britney-esque low rider jeans and belly-baring shirts are giving way to more lady-like styles for women. The preppy looks that are popular for guys have meshed with grungy, more edgy style to make for an eclectic combination of fashion options.
Junior marketing major Leighann Farrelly is tired of spiked hair and clothing with the “A/X” symbol for guys and ruffle skirts with sneakers and mesh shirts on girls.
“The most horrible fashion trend in the last year is Von Dutch because it became responsible for fooling people into thinking they were fashion front-runners,” Farrelly said.
Although she fell victim to the fad of wearing T-shirts with phrases and quotes on them, she admits to following the fads.
“I won’t lie, I still like the shirts that are witty or insightful, but I am sad to say they are no longer hip and stylish. I think the next big trend will be monochromatic outfits,” Farrelly said.
There are always the styles that capture our heart and we have trouble letting go.
On this, Farrelly said, “I wish off-the-shoulder shirts could be popular forever, they are sexy.”
Blazers, nice jeans, sweaters, Velcro, tattoos, flip-flops, beards, bellbottoms, vintage styles, bright colors and originality are trends that people feel should be eternal.
“I’ve come to realize that no matter how hard I try to be original, there is always going to be someone somewhere that has the same stuff as me, and that’s ok because it is not always what you wear, but how you wear it,” senior Patrick Balzer said.
Some fashion forecasts that students made included: the return of flannel, plaid “granny pants” (instead of low-rise), fashions from the 20s, walking canes, fedora hats, hair extensions, trousers, ties with collarless shirts, cardigans, pearls and skirts over tights.
“Trends usually hit the city first. If they aren’t too outlandish they make it to Long Island, or at least a toned-down adaptation will be seen on campus,” Balzer said.
A few trends still flooding campus actually made it through the survey unscathed. Such styles include: Highlights, Kangol-style hats, athletic sweatbands, studded belts, Pumas, throw-back jerseys, Livestrong bracelets even though some expressed opposition to those who wear them just to follow suit, pins, plastic jewelry and Lacoste gear.
While some treat fashion as a sacred form of expression, others may use it as a status symbol. Still, there are those who shy away from it completely. There is no doubt that students are conscious of image.
Love them or hate them, the fashionistas and metrosexuals strut the Unispan with their designer bags and expensive jeans; and even at freezing temperatures, jocks wear flip flops and sorority girls wear windbreakers. As the categorizing goes on, University students sporting blazers and vintage gear are playing it cool, attempting to render individuality through retro gear. To curb any further stereotypes that may have already formulated here on campus, originality is always appreciated although unfortunately not recognized as often as it should be. Fashion signifies eras in time, characterizing change and progress in our culture.