Quad Style: Sima Shah
Hi! I’m Sima, a fourth-year majoring in Economics and Philosophy. On campus, I work at Harper Café and am a Senior Interviewer for Admissions. This past spring (when these photos were taken), I was abroad in Paris with the Humanities program, learning about art and philosophy, and on the hunt for the best ice cream in the city.
I’m wearing a beige Zara sweater, H&M leather jacket, and H&M wedges.
How would you describe your personal style?
Comfortable and nostalgic. I generally gravitate towards pieces that feel good and evoke a memory. I found this romper at a Zara and loved the toucan on the back—it’s a welcome splash of color and reminds me of some of the things my mother likes to wear; she loves botany and birds, and wears a lot of those types of patterns. The romper is my favorite thing in my closet right now—loose-fitting and comfortable with a timeless seersucker print.
Where do you find style inspiration?
Pretty much from whomever is around me! I love observing street style when I am in a new city, and the street style in Paris was exceptional. I’ve really liked the coat trends in Paris, especially the colorful leather jackets, bomber jackets, and camel coats.
Where do you like to shop?
Zara, Madewell, thrift shops, and my mom’s closet!
Do you have any fashion regrets?
I don’t have any specific regrets, but I would regret any time I took myself too seriously and overthought my fashion choices, rather than having fun with them.
“And while it’s important to take fashion seriously, it’s valuable to remember that fashion can be understood in a fun, lighthearted way, too.”
What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?
Absolutely. Growing up, my access to my sisters' and mother's closets was reason enough to never shop; my closet consisted heavily of cool hand-me-downs and I didn't have a problem with that. It was only after I moved for high school and college that I started shopping for myself. I've begun to understand my clothing as more than just a necessity, but also a new means of expression, and a way to nod to my cultural and personal past.
I’m wearing a blue and white seersucker romper from Zara, and the same H&M wedges.
Why is fashion important to you?
I ultimately like fashion because I find it fun. It’s fun to seek out new street-style inspiration, to read up on style hacks, and to experiment with new patterns. And while it's important to take fashion seriously (as a means of expression, an affirmation of confidence, and a way to highlight your identity) it’s valuable to remember that fashion can be understood in a fun, lighthearted way, too.
All images courtesy of Talha Yousaf
