In recent years, the fashion world has exploded digitally, expanding from name brand designers and mainstream trends to include neatly categorized niche aesthetics. To provide further insight, members of UT’s newly founded Fashion for Students share advice from their own fashion journeys and explain how they achieve their personal aesthetics.
Hengzhi Zhang
Management information systems junior Hengzhi Zhang, president of FFS, said throughout middle school and part of high school, his style reflected the interests of the people around him. His senior year of high school, he began exploring his own fashion interests, including what he describes as “hypebeast business casual.”
Tip #1
In the summer, or in a Texas October, the heat can make it hard to add complexity to an outfit. To achieve the dimensional look usually accomplished by layering different pieces, Zhang recommends amping up the accessories, including rings, watches and especially sunglasses.
“In summer, (accessories) are one of the only ways you can express yourself,” Zhang said.
Tip #2
Students looking for local sources of inspiration can turn to the Guad Vintage Market outside of Leopard Lounge and Pavement which is immediately north of campus and is easily accessible for students. Zhang said he found their selection to be curated, but still affordable.
“Those are the best source of clothing that you can find within a 10 mile radius,” Zhang said.
To achieve “hypebeast business casual”
Zhang’s signature outfit includes an oversized black short-sleeve Prada button-down, light, wide-fitting pants from Zara and, most importantly, shoes that tie everything together: soles to match the color of the pants, black stripes to call back to the black shirt.
Mia-Katherine Tucker
Marketing sophomore and vice president of FFS Mia-Katherine Tucker also began exploring her fashion interests later in high school and into college.
“Nowadays I’m trying to grow when it comes to learning more about brands, putting pieces together and learning about the history of different styles,” Tucker said.
Tip #1
Tucker said Pinterest can help students find specific styles with hundreds of “similar” pins to gain more inspiration. The platform can help students search for pieces they already own and see it styled in different ways.
“If you’re struggling to narrow down the type of clothing you’re trying to buy for your style, make a Pinterest board for it,” Tucker said.
To achieve “skater girl streetwear”
Tucker, a non-skater, said she achieves her “skater girl streetwear” look with a customizable combination of neutral tones in the form of her go-to cargo pants paired with a dainty crop top, Nike Dunks and sunglasses strictly used as a headband.
Sarah Coffey
Government junior Sarah Coffey, FFS’s social lead, said she’s undergone several style transformations since she first became interested in fashion. She went from shopping for neon pieces at Forever 21 and Zumiez to her more thrifty, timeless current clothing.
Tip #1
Coffey recommends checking out the abundant curated vending pop-ups surrounding campus, including those at local venue Spider House Ballroom and online forums like Goodwill’s bidding feature.
Tip #2
Additionally, Coffey, an online shopping veteran, suggested searching for specific pieces not in modern terms for aesthetics, but in terms of qualities and patterns as an older owner might list them online. For example, “picnic patterned bloomer shorts” in place of “coquette aesthetic.”
To achieve “2010s Bella Thorne”
Coffey’s Lower East Side-inspired aesthetic can be achieved with some of her favorite pieces: secondhand primary colors, chunky yellow Kill Bill shoes and leftover black pieces from a high school “emo” phase.
