As Fashion Week comes to an end in New York City, it seems that the Fairfield University campus has undergone its own fashion transformation.
I remember my freshman orientation as a sea of popped collars, khaki shorts, and pearl earrings clouding my vision. I was wearing a Bob Marley t-shirt, small fitted blue vest, aviator sunglasses, Birkenstock sandals, and yes, the infamous “green skirt” that all my friends continue to taunt me about.
I wished more than anything that I had a bag to put over my head; something to blend me into the waves of conformity that were drowning my creative style.
Over the next two years, I came to terms with the constant rhythm of the preppy look that permeates our campus and began to accept parts of the “polo fabulous” tradition into my own wardrobe.
In spite of this, I still felt slightly foolish participating in a fashion style that historically has more to do with yachting and Fortune 500 companies than I care to admit.
It seemed that no one stepped out from the norm. Everywhere I turned, it was more of the same.
Sitting in the campus center the other day, however, I started to notice something different about the newest members of the Fairfield community.
A girl walked by me wearing leggings, a grey gathered mini, white pumps, and a stellar cropped vest to match.
She walked along with her friend, adorned in a cropped tweed blazer and matching guilloches.
I did a double take, having to remind myself I was still at Fairfield U.
Later that afternoon I saw a young man with a spiked, neon green Mohawk walking with friends who had several facial piercings.
I saw guys sporting an urban/prep look and flower children with flowing skirts, messy hair, grey tunics and layers of art show jewelry.
They added inspiration and color to the student population.
What was it that all of these stylish students had in common, you ask? They were all members of the class of 2010.
Although I have always noticed and very much appreciated the trendsetters among the upperclassman, there is “some kind of wonderful” with the freshmen.
They possess a beautiful fashion soul that seems to shine through each hot-pink converse shoe wearing, in touch with his softer side strutting, over-sized “hobo” bag carrying, high-waist belt adorning, curvy dress head turning, skipping in their leggings, preppy gone bad-ass individual in the class.
Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that the freshmen belong to the most socio-economically and racially diverse class in Fairfield history.
Whatever the case may be, the class of 2010 has brought a new sense of individuality to our home that the Admissions process will hopefully keep on the “do-list” for years to come.
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