The personal style of the most stylish AACC students is just that—personal.
In fact, those who dress up for class say they don’t pay much attention to the fashion trends on social media. They like what they like and they dress accordingly.
Second-year media production student Maria Bejaran said trends and social media influencers “don’t …have a role, if I’m going to be honest. I just kind of throw on whatever I want.”
No matter what they were wearing, students said their outfits are an expression of their personalities.
Environmental science student George Sines, who, on a recent warm, windy day wore green shorts from Tillys, a brown tank top and a black sweatshirt with some skeletons on it, agreed.
“I feel like bigger things like bell bottoms and baggy jeans coming into fashion are fine with me,” Sines said. “I’ll do that. But then, like, micro-trends, boo, we hate those.”
First-year graphic design studies student Lilika Farrell said her wardrobe changes the more she explores her style.
“I would say I pick and choose certain styles because I’ve been kind of exploring it for a long time,” Farrell said. “You sort of develop this intuition of what you like and don’t like and what fits into your style.”
Like Farrell, several students said their style has evolved over time.
“A good example would be in high school when I was, like, a freshman, I would wear a lot of skinny jeans and sweaters and Vans,” Bejaran said. “And now it’s like, I hate skinny jeans. I only like baggy stuff. Yeah, none of that. I wear a lot of crop tops now. I used to be so insecure about that before but now I have my belly out all the time.”
Still, Farrell said, “I don’t really like to take on a different aesthetic, every single trend cycle or something like that because, one, I can’t afford to live like that. And two, it’s not good for the planet.”
Farrell said thrift shopping and reusing clothing are good for both the planet and her budget.
While many students simply throw on whichever sweatpants and hoodies are clean every morning, others carefully curate their outfits to showcase their creativity and unique style.
“You know, it’s just school but I love dressing up as if I’m going somewhere special because, you know, it’s like, life is too short to be boring,” second-year forensic studies student Jaymee Green said. “I’d rather feel good in myself and give off this aura of, like, even if people look and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, what is she wearing?’ they’re looking.”
However, some students style their clothes by incorporating comfortable items into their outfits while still looking stylish.
First-year psychology student Samantha Lindsey, who wore a sweater and baggy pants from PacSun, a ring and black Converse sneakers, said, “I think there should be a balance.”
“I think that I shouldn’t value comfort more, because then I’m, like, oh, like, I’m wearing sweatpants every day,” Lindsey said. “[But] I’m not the type of person who is going to wear something really uncomfortable just because it looks good. So I like to balance between both of them.”
Second-year business student Kailyn Mcilree said her style is called “tomboy chic.”
“I’ve always liked dressing a little bit more on the baggier side … like dude style, but I like adding a little feminine touch with chunky jewelry,” Mcilree said.
