Reacting to my First Year "Quad Style" As A Fourth Year

I guess you could call this meta, a full circle, or just growth …. But I find it crazy that, as a fourth year, I now get to look back at my own Quad Style from three years ago and laugh at it like it was yesterday.

My opinions on this Quad Style have changed more than my own style has - and that’s saying a lot - from thinking of it as so innovative and creative in terms of my outfits, to making fun of it in a cringe way, to now looking back at it and finding it innocent and sweet. Why would I make fun of myself and my style three years ago when I know I am going to look back at my style now in three years and also find it funny and cringe? At the end of the day, I was just having a good time expressing myself, and I know I will continue to do this no matter if I’m wearing 2019 Urban Outfitters or 2022 Rick Owens.

To start off, I wanted to thank my friend Matthew Sumera, who employed me for this photoshoot in the first place. My own cringe feelings about this shoot have nothing to do with his creative direction for it; it is all about my own self-awareness.

Now that that’s covered, I’d like to continue by rating the outfits I wore during my Quad Style:

Outfit One: The Red Unif sweater + Urban Outfitters cargo pants… 5./10

I would say this is a classic Freshman year fit for me: comfy and warm, but still a bit obnoxious and loud. While I believe that cargo pants are still my vibe, and I’m not too disappointed by this sweater, I don’t exactly love this silhouette, at least on myself. I do enjoy how the white pants reflect the “bisexual lighting” in the Smart museum though.

I think what I would change about this outfit is the silhouette… I am more into baggy, oversized clothing these days, and although these pants are not exactly tight, I would be curious to see this outfit in a more oversized silhouette…

Outfit 2: Leopard print turtle neck + layered tank top + green pants: 3/10

A mess. I don’t think I’d ever wear as many patterns or colors anymore but I guess it was an experiment that .. mostly went wrong. To be honest, I would probably wear most of these items still, but on their own. I also am not the biggest fan of the green wash of these jeans.

Although I am still a layers kind of girl, I once again am disappointed about the silhouette of this outfit. I think I am no longer into high wasted pants, so that is probably putting me off the most.

Outfit 3: Unif color block shirt + denim jacket + jeans: 4/10

The light wash denim is putting me off: I don’t think I would wear this color denim anymore, and much less double denim of this light wash. I also am not the biggest fan of the fit of these jeans, as I have stated earlier, I have been more into looser fitting bottoms recently. As for the shirt, though, I still find it to be cute, and I like how the colors match my hair.

Naturally, what I would change about this outfit is the wash of the jeans to a darker shade, as well as the fit of the pants to be more loose fitting.

Outfit 4: One Direction T-Shirt layered over Harley Davidson tie dye shirt + black jeans: 7/10

I knew what I was doing with this outfit and I understood the irony of it all. I knew a One Direction shirt would be a funny thing to include into my Quad Style and I gotta say I slayed it. Still a 7/10 though just because I wouldn’t wear this anymore…. I am on my post-ironic era now I guess. Overall, however, I do like this silhouette more than the ones in the other outfits, which is why I rated it higher than the others.

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All in all, I would like to thank Matthew and MODA for letting me have this opportunity to show off my silly little outfits, and, while I don’t regret putting myself out there in this way, I do think that I have maintained some parts of my style throughout the years by reminding myself to not take anything too seriously!

Quad Style: Nini Nguyen

Hi, my name is Nini Nguyen and I’m currently a second-year from Boston, Massachusetts. I have plans to major in Public Policy with a minor in Architectural studies. I am a part of the UChivotes Core team and Inter-House Council as Co-Social Chair. I’m addicted to ice skating but I’m not the best so don’t expect me to be at the Olympics :(. If I’m not in class or doing those things listed above, I’m probably napping. Harper is the best place to nap on campus.

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Q: How did you choose your outfits for this photoshoot?

The pieces I chose are some of my favorite pieces that I’ve worn regularly throughout the last year, although they only appear whenever I decide to put in the extra bit of effort into my daily outfits. Some are combinations that I’ve worn multiple times, while others I thought of while keeping the shoot in mind. But overall, they’re pretty much the closest representation of my style throughout last year.

Q: How would you describe your style?

I don’t think my personal style can fit into any of the conventional boxes, but I generally like to play around with a lot of textures and patterns. I think I’m somewhere in the realm of diluted y2k, punk princess, with a smidge of indie. When it comes to colors, I tend to stick to black, white, green, brown, and blue, more so earthy tones. I generally like pieces with clean lines that compliment my body, mostly tight rather than baggy. Accessories are integral to my personal style, an outfit is never complete without some earrings, a bag, and shoes.

Q: Where do you usually shop?

I would say about 75% of my clothes come from thrift stores or hand-me-downs/gifts. I personally really enjoy thrifting because you never know what you’re going to find. There’s always an element of surprise when going to a thrift shop; one day you might find the perfect pair of pants or a beautiful vintage dress. Thrifting also makes me feel like the clothes are my own, as no one can really wear the same thing as you.

Q: Do you have any fashion regrets?

At one point, I had an obsession with this specific short white preppy cardigan in high school. It made me look like a middle-aged mom picking up her kid from soccer after a part-time shift at some office (Someone actually made this comment once). I would show up to school with that cardigan at least once a week. I wore it so much that one of the buttons fell off. To continue wearing it I took off all of the button, so it wouldn’t look weird. I was dedicated to wearing that cardigan until it fell apart. I’m not sure why I was so in love with that thing. Back then, I naively thought that it was the most intricate fashion venture that I could come up with. It was cringy but I regret staying closed-minded about other styles and taking no risks. I held on to what was comfortable for too long.

Q: What fashion trend do you think is timeless? And what trend do you think is overrated and should never come back?

Personally, I think the preppy trend is timeless. Plaid patterns, white button-ups, and sweater vests have been and will always be reinvented by every generation. On the other hand, I HATE biker shorts with a passion and hope they die forever. There isn’t really a way for me to explain why I don’t like them, but they just don’t look right to me. It’s hard to style formally, and overall just looks unflattering on me. On an unrelated note, I hate the word “cheugy” it's worse than any “outdated” fashion trend. It's such an ugly word.

Q: Last question. Why is fashion important to you?

For me, fashion is a way to passively express who you are. By looking at someone’s fashion, you get a sense of what type of person they may be. It’s also very fun to figure out what fits together and what doesn’t. Overall, to me, it’s a way for me to be artistic and create an identity for myself.

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All photos courtesy of Sonia Chang

Quad Style: Ife Fariyike

Ife is a fourth year Sociology and Global Studies double major also minoring in Spanish. Ife is a mentor in WYSE (Women and Youth Supporting Each Other) and is co-president of SSHMoC (Social Science and Humanities Majors of Color). In her free time, Ife mindlessly plays games on her phone while listening to one of her many curated Spotify playlists. You can find her taking a nap in literally any location at any time of day or aggressively doing Zumba like she is a middle-aged mother of three. Right now, she's trying (and failing) at learning to roller-skate, so if you see her bumbling around campus, don't say anything.

When did you start wearing less-traditional earrings?

I think it was around the summer after my 1st year. I stayed in Hyde Park that summer and went to several street festivals and block parties with friends where vendors were selling their hand-crafted earrings. I bought my first pairs at the Bantu Festival. One set is a wooden hair pik with the continent of Africa carved in the middle, and the other set is a glass encasing of the tree of life.

How do you feel when people mention your earrings?

Honestly it’s a really nice feeling! I’m not super good at receiving compliments, so sometimes I feel very caught off guard, but it makes me happy to know that other people feel compelled enough to acknowledge the things that I enjoy wearing.

What is your favorite pair?

Oof it’s hard to choose which is my favorite, but I think right now I’m really attached to the mushroom earrings that my best friend from home made for me. Wearing the mushrooms always reminds me of them. :)

Do you feel pressured to maintain a particular style (of earring)? 

Not at all! While I love wearing less-traditional earrings, I still enjoy wearing all of my simpler earrings like hoops and studs. Certain outfits call for a particular type of earring, so I don’t think I could get away with not having a standard hoop or stud. I think now if anything it’s just extremely validating to know that I can in essence wear the most absurd earrings possible and not be shunned!

What is your favorite get-ready song?

It really depends on the mood I’m in and also whatever song I have stuck in my head on a day-to-day basis, but lately I cannot stop singing “Dreaming of You” by Selena. If I had to choose an all-time favorite, Flo Milli always makes me feel like a bad bitch and really gives me a pep in my step.

What is your favorite building/spot on campus?

I know this is perhaps controversial, but I do miss the absolute beauty that is I-House. It’s like a giant old-timey hotel and there’s a piano in the lobby that people would play sometimes that really was just the ultimate comfort vibe. Otherwise, I really like Harper Cafe because it gets a lot of natural light and I can alternate between spending too much of my money on either a vanilla latte or a London fog.

How would you describe your personal style? 

I like to think of it as ~grandparent chic~. I really like collared shirts, baggy jeans, and lots of patterns. I’m also really into the big pants, small top aesthetic as of late. 

Where do you find style inspiration? 

In a lot of places! I don’t think there’s anyone in particular that I look up to when it comes to fashion, but if I see someone wearing something that I think is cool and would go with my style, I will probably obsessively search for it for a while.

Where do you like to shop? 

I mostly shop at thrift stores. I like that each store is unique and has its own array of clothes to choose from. On the occasion, I also buy clothes from Depop and I get most of my accessories from Etsy. I also love a good pair of American Eagle jeans because they last for so long.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

There are certainly some things I wish I wouldn’t have worn in my youth, but knowing that fashion tends to be cyclical makes me feel a lot better about most of the more cringy things. I will say, though, that the gray American Eagle hoodie and light wash skinny jeans that I wore every day of 7th grade does tend to haunt me.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time? 

I used to not put a lot of thought into what I wear. I treated wearing clothes more as an obligation as opposed to an opportunity to showcase who I am and what I am about. For a good portion of my adolescent life, that led me to having lower self-confidence and honestly made me a bit envious of other people who knew what kind of clothes made them feel the most comfortable and the most confident. Once I finally started to understand the kind of clothes I like to wear, I think I started to begrudge choosing clothes a bit less. Also, once I really settled into my style, I felt like I understood myself a bit more.

Why is fashion important to you?

For me, fashion is a form of expression, especially self-expression. I think it’s cool that we can express so many different emotions, aspects of life, and traits of ourselves just through fashion. For me, I don’t consider myself very good at expressing myself with words, so getting to show parts of who I am in a way that people can very easily see is immensely helpful for me. It’s also just so cool to see the products of people’s creative minds come to life. For the past year I’ve been stuck in an endless “America’s Next Top Model” phase and once you look past Tyra’s borderline criminal behavior, it’s lovely to see how the contestants bring hair, makeup, clothes, and scenery to life.

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All photography courtesy of Yvonne Yu, edited by Felix Gonzalez

Quad Style: Katherine Beavis

Hello everyone, I’m Katherine! I’m a third-year student in the College studying Classics and Art History with a minor in Health and Society. Apart from my studies, I’m involved in UCEMS, the University of Chicago Political Union, and the Study Abroad Student Advisory Committee. I’m also a dual citizen of the US and Canada and I collect vintage cookbooks wherever I travel!

What are you wearing (for the shoot)?

For today’s shoot, I’ve compiled three outfits. For the first one, I’m wearing my white t-shirt with a terrier on it from Cath Kidston. I’m also wearing blue jeans thrifted from a church fair rummage sale in New Hampshire (L.L.Bean), a denim jacket from J.Crew, Ox-Blood-1460-Vintage-Made-in-England Dr. Martens, earrings from the Tate in Britain, brown leather gloves from Armstrong’s Vintage in Edinburgh, and my father’s Canadian army overcoat. 

The second outfit features my red pleated skirt from J.Crew, a black top from Uniqlo, and seamed stockings from What Katie Did, a vintage shop in London. The dragon loafers, black leather gloves, and furry leather jacket are also from London. My lipstick is MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Fashion Legacy.

My final outfit is a jumpsuit and blazer from J.Crew, silk twill scarf from Liberty, snake ring from the Ilana Goor museum in Tel Aviv, earrings from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and bag from The Cambridge Satchel Company. My other ring is a gift from a family friend who’s an Egyptologist; my shoes are a memento of my time in Florence, and my scarab bracelet is from my maternal grandmother. 

How would you describe your personal style:

A bit more formal than most, I actually did not own a pair of jeans until recently. My first concern is that the things I wear fit me well, and the second is that the things I buy will last at least five years. I also have a high tolerance for “outfit pain,” and I’m willing to wear something that is slightly inconvenient. However, I like to wear my clothes, and I try to make sure my clothes don’t wear me. 

Where do you find your style inspiration?

I get a lot of my style inspiration from my mother. When I was younger, I started stealing her scarves and now I have my own collection. I absolutely love bold patterns and interesting textures. I also get some inspiration from my special field in Art History, the art of Late Imperial Rome. I also love my paternal grandmother’s style; she was in the first class of graduates at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London after WWII. She was in a number of BBC shows and in the West End doing theatre. My grandfather bought her a black fur coat that is now mine—we both look like little bears with it on! I appreciate that she took good care of it and could pass it down to me when she died; I hope to take the same care of my scarves and jewelry for my kids. 

Where do you like to shop?

I actually don’t like shopping for fun, and I typically only shop when I need something; however, I will shop wherever I travel. I like to buy staple items from different countries: leather from Italy, sweaters from Cardiff. Where I shop is informed by where I am in the world. In Italy? Dress Italian. In England? Dress English. People probably know I’m American because of my big smile (I will never be a fashion model able to keep a poker face), but I like tailoring my clothes to where I am, as a way of both showing respect to the culture and being conscious of how I present to others.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

As a child, I exclusively wore overalls, turtlenecks from Hanna Andersson, and light-up Buzz Lightyear sneakers, but I don’t regret any of that. I regret the fashion choices I made in high school, when I wore polos and shorts that were popular, but didn’t fit my body type. 

““If you’re comfortable in your own skin, you can pull off any outfit.””

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

I would say that I am not a fashionable person. In fact, I tend to be pretty oblivious to trends. I have a certain, eccentric sense of style, I would say. I just try to wear clothes that look good on me and remind me of people and places important to me. 

Why is fashion important to you?

Dress sense is important to me because it lets me set my tone for the day and week. I like the feeling of wearing a blazer while studying. It makes the everyday seem important, which it is. I plan out my outfits a week at a time, based on what I get to do that week. That is time I build in to be intentional and reflective. 

Photos courtesy of Elliot Duprey

Quad Style: Olivia Sturman

Ah hello! My name is Olivia Sturman and I’m a fourth year majoring in computer science with a focus in math and a specialization in human computer interaction (truly a boring first line and a horrible mouthful, apologies).  If you’ve seen me around campus I’m probably flailing on my skateboard, spilling coffee on myself, yelling at my computer, or all of the above. I could tell you a plethora of useless facts about myself but, instead, to be more relevant to this blog, I’ll summarize my winter aesthetic to the following:

• I have a bad habit of buying a plant every time I go to Trader Joe’s 

• I think grey days should always be accompanied by a bit of Otis Redding

• My love language is peeling fruit for someone

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How would you describe your personal style?

The best way to describe my style is somewhere on a spectrum from an archeologist who has a part time job at an art museum to a girl who consistently looks like she is dressed up for a first date. 

Romper from Buffalo Exchange (consignment store), Jacket from my roommate’s closet (we have an open closet policy and share everything ♡), Shoes are your well known basic FILAs, Big hoops from Forever21— for god knows what reason I lose big hoops all the time so I only purchase cheap ones knowing they’ll need to be replaced soon.

Where do you find style inspiration? 

I follow Vogue on instagram, is that enough?

“I honestly can’t say I really regret any of it though— everyone should go through an awkward style stage because we need to be humbled at some point. ”

Where do you like to shop?

THRIFT STORES AND CONSIGNMENT STORES. ALWAYS. It’s way more fun, affordable, and sustainable to shop in second-hand stores. I also like to sew so editing pieces I find in thrift stores are a common project of mine. 

Jeans from Brandy , Top from thrift store, Shoes from Nordstrom Rack, Hair clips from Amazon , Small hoops from the Oriental Institute (amazing place for inexpensive yet quality  jewelry!!!)

Do you have any fashion regrets? 

So many. Two in particular come to mind. 

This first was in elementary school. Everyday, 4th-6th grade (that’s 3 YEARS), I wore a Paul Frank t-shirt to school. My mom thought they were good cotton so she allowed it. Everyone else knew me as Paul Frank girl.

The second was in 7th grade. I wanted to play around with makeup so I bought some gold liquid eyeliner from Sephora and it was the only thing I would apply. I thought it was so cool for months until my sister enlightened me that it just made me look like I had chronic eye gunk. So that was the end of my adventures with makeup. 

I honestly can’t say I really regret any of it though— everyone should go through an awkward style stage because we need to be humbled at some point. 

Dress from Urban, Boots from Blondo (this brand is water proof I highly recommend for Chicago) , Jacket thing from my mom’s closet, Jewelry from some boutique in Amsterdam, Socks from my grandma 

“You should wear what makes you feel confident and accentuates your personality! Not necessarily the things that other people like wearing. ”

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

My parents are professors and they value intellect over all else. Thus, when I was young, I felt a strong amount of guilt for having interest in more traditional feminine things because I thought it would detract from ~proving my worthiness through academic skill~. I didn’t wear pink or dresses because they were too girly and I didn’t dare put on a bikini because I was scared to show any skin. Throughout middle school and high school I found more comfort in being feminine but still had no idea or interest on how to hone an aesthetic. I kind of just followed what everyone else wore. Finally, in my first year of college, I met (my now roommate) Antonia in French class. This woman wore some WILD outfits but I absolutely loved all of them. When I finally asked her how she puts them together she explained, “In high school, to get out of my comfort zone, I would just put on something I liked but was fashionably questionable and run out the door before I could change. Eventually you learn to own it.” So that’s what I started doing. When I think back, I believe 4th grade me actually had a lot of merit to how she dressed because she always felt comfortable and happy in her Paul Frank shirts. You should wear what makes you feel confident and accentuates your personality! Not necessarily the things that other people like wearing. 

Why is fashion important to you?

What I choose to wear in the morning really reflects what I want out of the day. Sometimes I want to be seen! Sometimes I just want to be mobile! Everyone goes about fashion in a different way and I think that’s absolutely brilliant.  The only “right answer” to fashion is that you’re wearing something you feel happy in. For me, makeup is hard but putting on jewelry is not and is my way of feeling a tad fancier/more put together. I wear FILAs not because they are a trend but because the soles actually have excellent grip and I have a weird affinity for climbing things. Also, I have super flat feet and my knees get messed up if the soles of my shoes are too thin (stupidly enough it’s a health thing). So reader, if you see some style that you think is cool then I encourage you to just wear it! Confidence baby, it will make your outfit go from a 5 to a 10. 

“The only “right answer” to fashion is that you’re wearing something you feel happy in”

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All images courtesy of Jeremy Lindenfeld

Quad Style: Tasnim Khan

Hey, my name is Tasnim Khan and I’m a first year looking to major in Astrophysics. I’m part of UChicago Cheer and SASA. In my free time I like to read webtoons and eat lots and lots of food. I collect a lot of makeup and skincare and recently I’ve started to watch a lot of nail art videos.

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 How would you describe your personal style?

I don’t really think I have just one style. Instead, I just like to make sure all the pieces of an outfit come together to present an image. I like being comfortable, so if something isn’t comfy I won’t wear it. It’s a bit bold and edgy sometimes, but I think it’s casual enough to be appealing to the general public. 

The first outfit is something I would wear when I’m feeling bold. I’m wearing a black long sleeved backless crop top, an orange camo cropped puffer jacket, a pleated skirt with metal accents from Dolls Kill and big white platform sneakers. I like wearing black a lot because it seems like it matches everything, and I added the puffer for a pop of color.

Where do you find style inspiration? 

I spend a lot of time on instagram, and so if I see someone wearing something I like and I think would look good on me, I keep it in mind the next time I go shopping. I also pay attention to what people wear in a lot of the movies and shows I watch. I really like the makeup and fashion they used in the show Euphoria, and I was thinking I would do some casual Euphoria makeup eventually.

The second fit is something I would wear when I’m feeling casual. I’m wearing an oversized checkerboard pattern long sleeve T-shirt with maroon corduroy pants.

What trends or ideas in fashion are currently exciting you?

I really like accessorizing and glittery makeup. I have a big collection of earrings, ranging from cupid to pom poms to origami crane earrings. I like big lashes and dewy skin, and I especially love platform shoes. Most of my shoes are platform, and I like how they make me taller and the big shoe effect makes me feel like a Bratz doll. 

Where do you like to shop?

I shop at the usual places like Zara, Uniqlo, H&M, etc but a lot of my clothing is also from online. Brands don’t really matter to me, and I like shopping during sales.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

Originally, I never really cared about what I wore, but in middle school I really got into makeup and beauty. I began wearing makeup in 7th grade and haven’t stopped since. I wasn’t allowed to wear revealing clothing because I grew up in a muslim family so I had a phase in high school where I would wear crop tops and shorts under my hoodie and sweats and change in school. I’ve always dressed a bit girly, but in college, I began to buy many more clothes that wear oversized or flowy because I liked how they didn’t show a body line. My style has gotten more modest than it was in highschool, and I like wearing big clothes and turtlenecks because they’re comfortable. Most of my pants are now baggy because I like how big pants look on me. I also started wearing big shoes so then everything would be oversized. It makes me feel like a big bear and bears are cute.

The third outfit is what I wear when I’m with family or when I’m just feeling more like a woman and less like a teenage girl. I’m wearing a black button up shirt with a midi plaid skirt. For accessories, I’m wearing some metal chains and scissor earrings. 

Do you have any fashion regrets? 

In high school I used to wear crop tops with high waisted skinny jeans all the time and thought it was a fresh fit. Blocky brows, thick winged eyeliner and clumpy mascara was also something I thought was super cute but in reality I think I just looked like a racoon. 

“When I have an outfit on, I feel like a better and improved version of myself, and I’m able to get over social anxieties”

Why is fashion important to you?

I feel like fashion is a way to differentiate from others. While looks aren’t everything, they are a big part of how people perceive you and so you might as well go all out and wear what you like. I like taking my time in the morning to get ready, and while most people might think spending 1.5 hours to get ready is overkill, it’s like a ritual for me. If I don’t dress up, I feel like I’m not prepared to tackle the rest of the day and everything feels off. When I have an outfit on, I feel like a better and improved version of myself, and I’m able to get over social anxieties. I also like when people compliment me and my outfits and it honestly makes my day.

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Photos Courtesy of Christine Park

Quad Style: Jasmine Lu

I’m Jasmine, a first-year PhD student. I’m studying computer science, and researching human-computer interactions. I’m into art- I paint and enjoy digital drawing- film, and literature (I’ve recently been exploring more sci-fi)!

What are you wearing for this shoot?

For the first outfit, I wore this vintage Victoria’s Secret green, patterned shirt, which is super big on me- I have this habit of buying oversized shirts, especially if they have a beautiful pattern on them. Under it, I wore a grey turtleneck and a pair of white jeans. I also wore a pair of blue eye-shaped earrings.

The second outfit, I wore a Qipao which is a traditional Chinese dress, but with a modern take on it. I got it from China, from a family friend that has her own clothing line-I think it’s amazing and I was so excited to wear it for this shoot. I wore my chunky black snow boots with it, accessorised with these clear earrings that have my name engraved in Chinese on them.

My third outfit is this beautiful gold sparkly dress that I got from a vintage store in Chicago, that I intended to wear for New Year’s. The earrings are these gold men, and they’re swimming, and they connect across your ear right at their midsection- they’re hilarious. I also wore my favourite sparkly boots with this gorgeous pattern on them, that I got from a small boutique in France.

My last outfit was a pair of tan utility pants off ASOS, paired with this patchwork sweater. The sweater is from shopfleemarket who repurposes old fabrics and creates really cool pieces. I paired this with my go-to boots and triangular mirror earrings that I laser-cut the Mc Escher design onto.

You seem to pay attention to your accessories, especially your earrings. Where do you find those?

My earrings are mostly thrifted- some places just curate really good selections. There was a place near Duke, where I did my undergraduate studies, where they just had bins of different bits and parts of earrings and you could just put them together to make yourself some earrings.

I also make a lot of my earrings. The blue eye earrings, the ones with my name and the mirror triangles, I laser-cut those myself! I feel like when it comes to earrings, and accessories in general, it’ super easy to make your own, or fix them. Especially for UChicago students- we have access to the Hack Arts Lab and they have a laser cutter that you can use whenever you want! You just have to reserve the laser cutter, and they have people that can help you use it.

Where do you tend to shop for your outfits?

Almost all of my outfits and statement pieces are all thrifted. I’m super cheap when it comes to clothing- I don’t like to spend more than fifty dollars on a piece. Thrift stores I like here are, especially, Village Discount, Goodwill and some others. But also there’s a lot of vintage stores, and they curate their collections more before reselling them. You can usually find really good stuff at places like Lost Girl’s Vintage, around West Town, which is where I got the gold swimmer earrings. Then there’s North Avenue Collective, which is also around there, but closer to Wicker Park- there’s so many! There’s also this place called STORE. Revolving Curation, that I found on Instagram, and they just have a revolving cycle of different vendors who either make their own clothes or collect and curate. One vendor I really like is Cloina, who I actually met when I went there- her stuff is repurposed and very ethical in how it’s made.

Where do you find your style inspiration?

I feel like I don’t really try to emulate a particular person or style- it’s a lot of what just feels right. That, of course, comes from visual inspiration that you just collect in your mind. But, I feel like a lot it, for me, is finding a particular pattern or texture that I like and putting together an outfit around that. I do like flexing on my Chines-ness, with items like my Qipao or just like different shirts that have very typically Chinese embroidery.

What would you say fashion means to you?

Oh boy. It’s definitely something to make you feel good, to make you feel like your own person. You wake up and choose your outfit and choose the energy that you want to give off for that day, the energy you feel within yourself, like, “This is me for today!” I feel like that makes it important- like a part of self-care.

I’m also very much about the repurpose and reuse economy. There’s so much cool stuff out there that it seems somewhat silly that we just buy what brands put out. Especially since a lot of these vintage items are super unique and really well-made! When you buy from such stores, you have this memory associated with the piece you bought. Usually you meet the people that are selling at these small stores, and sometimes you can get the story behind some of the pieces. It’s more meaningful than just mainstream shopping.

You chose to do most of this photoshoot your own apartment. How do you incorporate aesthetics in other aspects of your life?

The energy you give off, and the energy that you create in your home- you just want it to be good energy! You want it to be reflective of you. Collecting small things that bring me joy and putting them around the house helps me do that. My style is a little chaotic, just like my living space. lots of bright colours, interesting textures. I definitely try to include interesting pieces and mould the area around that piece in my home, like I do in my outfits.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

Fashion regrets! I feel like everybody has to have some. The one thing that comes to mind is Abercrombie and Fitch everything, Hollister everything from junior high. Those super tiny stretchy t-shirts- they were soft, I guess, but you had Abercrombie written across your chest. I don’t really like branded clothing like that, anymore, so that was a regret.

Photos courtesy of Fatou Ndoye

Quad Style: Yolanda Dong

Hi, I’m Yolanda, currently a third year in the college pursuing a double major in Psychology and Visual Arts. I participate in MODA as a designer for the show, an assistant beauty editor for the magazine, and a blog member. My hobbies and interests include mixed media art, karaoke, photoshoots, skiing and snowboarding, traveling, and playing with my pomeranian BAO.

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How would you describe your personal style?

I love things that are complicated — my style too. I like to wear excessive amount of accessories — hats, sunglasses, earrings, necklace, belts, etc. — that adds on to the complexity and completeness of the look. The main color schemes are black, white, and grey while I like how colors of the accessories pop here and there. I would say that my style is also futuristic, and eccentric at times.

I had three looks for the shoot. The first was a clash of leather, denim, and fur, featuring a heavy silver chained crossbody wallet. The inner top piece is from Marine Serre, the glasses were from a collab of Fendi and Gentle Monster, and the wallet on chain is from Kara

Where do you find style inspiration?

My style always change perhaps because people like different things at different points of time. My inspiration mainly comes from Instagram and other social media platforms. I like being exposed to and learn new brands that bloggers tag in their posts. But mostly my style depends on my mood that day — what kind of look I’m feeling that day.

“My style always change perhaps because people like different things at different points of time. ”

Where do you like to shop?

I used to shop a lot in malls with my mom in middle school and high school. Nowadays I like to shop mostly online since it gets pretty cold in Chicago winters. I especially like concept shops and buyer collection stores such as ESSENSE, Opening Ceremony, 10 Corso Como, and Dover Street Market that offer wide variety of selections and creative, immersive user experiences both online and offline. It feels like buying unique concepts and aesthetics and not the clothes themselves.

The second look was a shirt with a leather corset for the top and snakeskin printed faux leather skirt for the bottom, matched with a hat from Misbhv and crystal hand bag from Alexander Wang

The third look had a corset top from Dion Lee and matching blazer and bottom shorts, matched with a vintage Prada Hobo bag and sunglasses from Celine. The platform boots I am wearing throughout the shoot is from Prada. The other pieces were from independent designers brands from Chinese and American online shops.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

I really liked to wear hairbands everyday in middle school and that has kind of become my signature look that time. In retrospect, it seems kind of naive but I guess that was how I was feeling at the time.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

Fashion has definitely grown from my interest to a career path that I want to pursue in the future. I used to only pay attention to different designer brands and what celebrities wear. Now, I focus on how my outfits or styles would have conversations in particular situations and surroundings and I also try designing different makeup looks to match the style of the day. It usually take me 1.5-2 hrs to prepare my outfit and makeup and hair so I’ve definitely come to put more care and effort into fashion nowadays.

Why is fashion important to you?

Fashion is definitely a part of building my self image. It’s like a resume or an introduction of myself to others so it’s important for me to have a particular fashion style, be bold, and not to fear catching others’ attention.

“It’s like a resume or an introduction of myself to others so it’s important for me to have a particular fashion style, be bold, and not to fear catching others’ attention. ”

In your opinion, are there notable differences in style and fashion between China and here in the States?

It would be hard to say the distinctive differences in styles between China and the US because even within each country, there are different trends and styles. I would say that with the increasing mingling of cultures and easy access to information online, the boarders are blurred. Overall, I think there is a more free, comfort, and athletic vibe in the States compared to China. Very rarely would older generations in China think that it’s ok to wear leggings out.

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Photos courtesy of Elliot Duprey.

Quad Style: Chase Leito

Hi my name is Chase Leito, I’m a second year majoring in Sociology and minoring in Inequality, Social Problems, and Change. I am currently the President of the African and Caribbean Student Association and I love to sing jazz music, dance to anything from bachata to ballet, and I love exploring parts of the city, especially Bronzeville and Wicker Park.

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How would you describe your personal style?

I would describe my style as streetwear or classic chic with a little bit of hipster and artsy looks in the mix.

For this shoot I am wearing clothes that I got from different retail stores, accessories I got as a gift, or clothes that I thrifted. For the first look I am wearing a golden chain I got for Christmas, plaid pants I got from Forever 21 last year, a classic black turtleneck from H&M, and a golden bracelet with gold hoops I received as gifts

Where do you find style inspiration?

I find my style inspiration from different singers that have had a huge impact on my life as well as queer celebrities or models I follow on social media. My biggest influencers have been Troye Sivan, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Ben J Pierce because all of them exhibit similar aesthetics that I really like and they’ve helped me shape my own fashion sense growing up. Additionally, they were all amazing queer identifying people to look up to when I was growing up and figuring out what my identity as a gay man meant for me and how I wanted to express that. Besides those three, most of my style inspiration comes from black and queer people I follow on social media.

Where do you like to shop?

I used to love shopping at H&M but recently I have gotten more into thrifting clothes, which is how I got my Air Force Ones. I also shop at ASOS, Urban Outfitters, Shein, Buffalo Exchange, and other stores I find in Chicago like Crossroads or Encore Resale.

For my second outfit I am wearing a golden cross necklace that I got from my mother, a forest green sweater from H&M, blue jeans, and a white sherpa bomber jacket from Urban Outfitters.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

How could I? A king never makes fashion mistakes

“If I look good, then I feel good, I’m not as distracted, and I have a better day.

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What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

Fashion has been a way for me to express myself, display what I think is important, remind me of who I am, and make me feel confident. My relationship with fashion has changed in that it’s become more diversified and I place more of my confidence and mood in what I wear. If I look good, then I feel good, I’m not as distracted, and I have a better day.

For the final outfit I wore one of my favorite black hats, a floral button down shirt and royal blue pants from H&M.

“[Fashion is] such a creative way to express who you are and what makes up your identity. The accessories I wear have huge significance attached to them and remind me of where I come from and who I am. I use my clothes and accessories to display who I am and what is important to me.”

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Shot by Grace Peguese at The Smart Museum of Art, to see more of her work, check out her portfolio here.

Quad Style: Ayomikun Idowu

Hello! My name is Ayomikun Idowu. I am a fourth year in the College majoring in Public Policy and Geography. I work as a program assistant for the Pozen Human Rights Lab and am a senior advisor for ACSA.

For my first outfit I am wearing a top from Asos, the pants were thrifted, shoes from a website called urbanog, and earrings from Nordstrom

How would you describe your personal style?

I would describe my style as comfortable. I don't think I have like a specific thing that I wear but I just like to buy clothes that make me feel super comfortable, confident and sexy. So you know sometimes I'm feeling very monotone and want to wear all black, other times I'm feeling very colorful, other times I'm feeling classy. I really don't like to box myself into a specific style. You know when it comes to fashion the only rule is to look good so I just wear whatever I feel makes look hot.

My second outfit I am wearing a top from a brand called Monki (bought on Asos), the belt and jeans were thrifted, shoes from target, and earrings from girlpops (a store on amazon)

Where do you find style inspiration?

This is a hard one because I find inspiration from everywhere. I am an avid user of social media so a lot of times I'll just go on Instagram and scroll through my newsfeed and I'll see all these girls or guys dressed however and I think to myself like I want what they are wearing. For example, recently I saw a girl wearing a corset top and became obsessed with finding corsets. So social media influences me a lot. I am also influenced by my friends who have great style. Shoutout to Fatima, Fikayo, Layla, and Adanna. If they are wearing something I like, I’ll try and buy something similar. My sisters too. Like my little sister did Euphoria makeup before it was cool so she is a huge makeup inspiration. My mom is also the bougiest person ever so I am trying to get more statement pieces to resemble her. But even if I am on the street I’ll say to someone “omg I love what you are wearing, where did you get it?” In general, if I see you and I like what you are wearing or the way you look i’ll try to include that in my style. Recently, I have been really into Pat Mcgrath and Alexa Demie.

Where do you like to shop?

Unfortunately, its really hard to find brands that carry my size. Most stores don’t carry over 10 which really limits me. But I like H&M, Asos, Prettylittlething, Aerie, Urban Outfitters. I have also been eyeing new brands like House of CB and Jaded London. When I’m with my mom I always go shopping with her so she can buy me nicer pieces. But my favorite place to shop is the thrift store. You can find some amazing vintage pieces that would normally go for hundreds. My friend once found a Moncler jacket at a thrift store in Lincoln Park. It’s so satisfying. For makeup my favorite brands are Nars, Colourpop, Glossier, and Nyx. It’s funny-I shop cheap for clothes but not for makeup.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

Elementary school/middle school is a fail for me. But I feel it is that way for everyone. I remember when I used to wear ballet flats. My feet could not handle that, it was so uncomfortable.

My last outfit includes a sweater from H&M, the shirt was thrifted, and earrings I bought at a house sale.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

I always love looking at old photos myself because I get to see how my fashion style has changed. In high school I was really into the 70s so a lot of my fashion was inspired by Donna Summer and Chaka Khan. I really tried to emulate them, like I had a huge afro and would wear bright eyeshadow with crazy lipstick colors. It was so fun. As I got into college I started to calm down on my style. I was really into the whole Mura Masa, London aesthetic. Now I just do whatever I want.

Why is fashion important to you?

Fashion is the way that I get to express myself. I get to show the way I feel on the inside to the outside world. I see the way I dress as an extension of myself. I always tell my mom school makes me sad but makeup and clothes make me happy. Fashion is important because it makes me feel good.

“I always tell my mom school makes me sad but makeup and clothes make me happy. Fashion is important because it makes me feel good.”

All images courtesy of Grace Peguese, See more of her work here.

Quad Style: Laura Sandino

I'm Laura—an undecided first year from Miami with bleached hair you can see from across campus. I enjoy experimenting with different fashion styles, and when I get bored I love playing with new hair colors.

This outfit is centered around the white pants that I got from Urban that just pop under the blue light. I decided to pair them with one of my favorite sweaters to spice up the fit!

How would you describe your personal style?

My LA friends like to say I’m a “hesh,” “big shirt, big pants” girl. The hesh aesthetic comes from skate culture; its an edgy, yet laid back style of dressing. I think I provide a good mix between dressing hesh and edgy at the same time, as I switch between my Vans and Doc Martens fairly often. I also tend to go for the androgynous look, and my outfits usually reflect a more masculine vibe, as I am always wearing baggy pants and loose fitting clothes.

Where do you find style inspiration?

I find inspiration through the art and the environment around me. My style is greatly influenced by my friends and idols; they provide some of the biggest inspirations when I get in style rut. My high school experience revolved around a clothing brand that I created with my friends, which helped me dig deeper into clothing design and discover different styles and inspirations. There are many artist and celebrities that I look up when it comes to fashion, some include: Matty Healy, Harry Styles and Enya Umanzor (@enjajaja). 

I thrifted this cheetah print crop top in Goodwill, and i’m layering it under a tank top I stole from my best friend, which is actually from an awesome tattoo shop in Miami. I decided to pair this with these pale green jeans from Urban Outfitters and a red puffer jacket, making this outfit my color block dream.

This is a denim on denim look that I love. I decided to pair it with my stripped color-block Unif shirt that I bought off Depop. To give it na edge, I threw on my very beat up Doc Marten Jadon boots, this is a classic Laura outfit.

Where do you like to shop?

I have to say I have been an Urban Outfitters girl for while. I am trying, however, to reduce my fast fashion intake and have started buying more vintage items from Depop or thrift stores.

I’m wearing One Direction merch ( a very underground band, I don’t know if you’ve heard of them ) on top of a vintage Harvey davidson tie dye long sleeve that I got from Depop. This shirt is a signature piece in my wardrobe that I wear too often.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

I have been through many different styles in my life that haven’t really worked for me (going out in full Justice outfits in middle school), so even though I am still trying to secure a personal style, I know every fashion mishap i have had has helped me grow!

““I love fashion and would not be the same person I am today without my appreciation for it”.”

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

My relationship with fashion has pretty much remained consistent in the sense that I have always had a deep appreciation for it and have always found it very inspiring. This mostly started out at the beginning of high school, when I began experimenting with different styles and fashion perspectives. My high school career was great for my formation of my own style as I was very influenced by the environment around me. I love fashion and would not be the same person I am today without my appreciation for it.

Why is fashion important to you?

Fashion is one of the only ways (other than my hair) that i get to experiment with my appearance. I enjoy putting together outfits that make me feel confident and happy and that draw in people’s attention. Moreover, I like to play around with the ways I am perceived by people. I view fashion as a means of communicating without words and can be something I can simply have fun with.

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All photos are courtesy of Yvonne Yu.

Quad Style: Nehir Sahinoglu

Hello hello! I am Nehir Sahinoglu from Istanbul, Turkey. I am a second year economics and psychology double major (hopefully). I am in The Chicago Maroon Marketing Team and in Women in Business, and I am the new social chair of the Turkish Student Association (so look out for fun events to come!). I like cooking, but I like eating more. I enjoy discovering new, aesthetically pleasing places, so I love traveling and getting to know new cultures and mixing those with mine. I like appreciating and creating art, and I do pottery and ceramics. Oh and also, I love fashion, and I try to play with it in my own style. 

How would you describe your personal style?

This is a tough question because I don’t really have a control over my style. In fact, it kind of controls me. I feel like my style genuinely reflects my personality. My style responds to my feelings, taking them as a starting point and branching out from them. My style is spontaneous and crazy: I like to match seemingly unrelated colors, patterns, and silhouettes and to create a cohesiveness from them. I sometimes really like dressing up as a 16 year old boy, that’s why my closet is full of my dad’s jackets, shirts, etc. When I feel like being “girly” I make sure to add a little something of my own to the classic feminine style. That sometimes happens to be my dad’s old ties as belts, or vintage sunglasses or  accessories. In general, I go simple with tops and leave the emphasis on my pants and shoes. I really like to mix and match the vintage and the futuristic style. I think that’s one way to have control over time. 

I’m wearing Marc Jacobs pants with a Zara turtleneck. The jacket that I’m wearing is my dad’s old jacket. My boots are from Massimo Dutti. My belt is from a vintage store in Galata, Istanbul. I bought my ring from an antique jewelry store in Grand Bazaar, Istanbul.

 Where do you find style inspiration?

I honestly feel like I get inspired from everything. If I really like a piece of clothing, my outfit idea forms around it. If I feel in a certain way, let’s say boring, I try to spice up my day by wearing more fun clothes. I look at Vogue, Man Repeller (Leandra Medine Cohen), whowhatwear and many other pages. If I were to name a person, I would say that Alessandro Michele really inspires me. I not only appreciate his sense of fashion but also his aesthetics in general. He has a different creative eye. 

Where do you like to shop?

This one is also hard because I shop everywhere. I would say Zara, AndOtherStories, Urban Outfitters, Uniqlo, and Asos are my classic, safe to-gos. Other than that, I love vintage shops because I always find more unique pieces with character at those. My favorite is to shop from little boutiques that only exist in one or two places. I feel like this is a more common thing in Europe. For shoes, I can’t choose my favorite brand but I can say that I started to develop this obsession over Coach boots.

I’m wearing Vakkorama (a store in Istanbul) pants with a Zara crop top. My jacket is from Topshop (rip). My boots are Doc Martens. Again, I got 2 of my rings and my earrings from an antique jewelry store in Karakoy, Istanbul. The ring that im wearing on my middle finger is actually a nail pitting.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

I don’t think anyone can have fashion regrets because fashion is all about trying and seeing what you like better. Just like everyone has a unique personality, they also have special styles. In this sense, my one fashion regret would be limiting myself in the past. I used to dress up to impress others rather than making myself feel confident and good in my clothes. When I got rid of this fear, that’s when I started to experiment with my style.

I used to dress up to impress others rather than making myself feel confident and good in my clothes. When I got rid of this fear, that’s when I started to experiment with my style.  

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

Of course it did! Honestly, I wouldn’t say that I had a “style” 4 years ago. I just wore what I thought was popular at the time, which didn’t help me reflect or explain myself through clothes. I can’t say that I have the best style or whatever, but at least now I know that fashion is my daily form of art that I express myself with. Dressing up is what takes me out of bed and gives me the enthusiasm to go through the day. 

I can’t say that I have the best style or whatever, but at least now I know that fashion is my daily form of art that I express myself with. Dressing up is what takes me out of bed and gives me the enthusiasm to go through the day. 

How does the style or culture of fashion in Turkey compare to that in the US/Chicago?

I feel like the sense of fashion in Turkey is more European than the US. In Turkey, at least from what I have observed, people put more effort and emphasis on little details that complete the look. Something very little like a jewelry or belt can really elevate the outfit. In Istanbul, I feel like people put looks over functionality, and dress not to just spend the day but also to look as they feel or want. One bad thing that I can say about Turkey is that people fear more from the others’ judgements, so I think the US better provides the chance to express and discover yourself via fashion. 

Why is fashion important to you?

I feel like when my personality started to settle, I didn’t realize this until my style changed. I truly think that fashion helps me to understand who I have become. I sometimes have a really hard time connecting with myself, but fashion offers me the way out! 

I truly think that fashion helps me to understand who I have become. I sometimes have a really hard time connecting with myself, but fashion offers me the way out! 

Photographs courtesy of Maddie Parrish.

Quad Style: Elizabeth Winkler

My name is Elizabeth Winkler. I’m a second-year English major and I need to start cross-stitching again. Though this is, perhaps, predictable, most of my RSOs are word-oriented: I write for MODA’s Blog and Magazine, the Viewpoints section of the Maroon (as well as being on the paper’s copy-editing team), am on the staff of Sliced Bread, and just joined the Ultimate Frisbee team! When I’m not bemoaning the lack of hikable nature close to campus, I can usually be found in one of Chicago’s coffee shops (I’m on the hunt for the city’s best scone) or a vintage market. 

How would you describe your personal style?

Definitely vintage-inspired. Deliberate, playful, original, confident.

I’m in love with this vintage top (sweater? shirt? both?) from the Randolph Street Vintage Market and bag from the Chicago Vintage Clothing and Jewelry show in Andersonville a few weeks ago. The necklace was my grandmother's, the earrings are from somewhere in NYC’s Koreatown, vintage corduroys and belt from 10 Ft. Single by Stella Dallas, bralette from Victoria’s Secret, and a pair of vintage shoes by John Fluevog from the Rummage Room, my local thrift store.

Where do you find style inspiration?

I knew you were going to ask this question, but it’s still a hard one to answer. A lot of my inspiration comes from the clothes themselves – that’s part of the reason I love vintage so much. Each piece has its own life, its own story, and shopping in vintage and thrift stores is a quest for something that speaks to me, that I can’t walk away from; there’s definitely a romance to it. I credit my grandmother with setting me on this path – I used to spend hours in her attic trying on clothes she’d saved from every decade of the 1900s, growing into dresses and out of shoes, waiting for the day when I could get my ears pierced and try on her earrings. Beyond that, I’m always inspired by people who challenge any preconceived notions I might have about fashion, be that in the places they shop, the colors and patterns they combine, or the unique and interesting looks they create.

“Each piece has its own life, its own story, and shopping in vintage and thrift stores is a quest for the one that speaks to me”

I’m wearing Zara faux-leather pants, a vintage cropped blazer from No Relation Vintage in NYC, Forever 21 top, my grandmother’s earrings and jaguar pin, Doc Martens Leona boots, and an amazing silver purse that was also my grandmother’s.

Where do you like to shop?

I find most of my favorite pieces at vintage, thrift, and second-hand stores, but I’ve been known to spend hours in Forever 21 or Zara finding one piece that I love and that will last me more than one season – buying “fast fashion” doesn’t have to mean subscribing to that industry’s traditional waste cycle. Oh, and if you’re ever in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, hop off the subway at Bedford Street and go to 10 Ft. Single by Stella Dallas. It’s a vintage store and it’s amazing and yes that is in fact its name.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

No regrets because it all added up to the person I am now, but there are some things I did in the past that I wouldn’t do today. Case in point: slip-on Merrills.

“ There’s an incredible beauty to the fact that the only restriction on our clothing choices is imagination ”

This dress was my grandmother’s (petticoat!), and I’ve combined it with a leather jacket my mom found in Vermont, a necklace from Earth Girl Designs in the Adirondacks (you can see the silhouette of several ADK mountains against the sunrise/sunset), earrings from a vintage store in Lincoln Park, and another pair of vintage Fluevogs from the Rummage Room.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

Until I was 12 or so I didn’t take much of an interest in where I shopped, and I really cared about other people’s opinions of what I wore and how I looked. By the time I left middle school, though, I had decided that the only opinion of my wardrobe that mattered was my own, and had started to gain confidence in my body. I became a very recognizable figure at my high school, pushing the “polo and kilt” uniform to be more than just an unappealing shirt and a miniskirt, and refusing to subscribe to the leggings-and-sweatshirt norm on free-dress days. I have always been thrifty with money, even with something I love as much as clothes, so I am very deliberate about what I buy – if I don’t love it, it doesn’t come home with me.

Why is fashion important to you?

It makes me happy. That’s the simple answer. There’s an incredible beauty to the fact that the only restriction on our clothing choices is imagination – mine, yours, a  designer’s, a thrift store curator’s. I have fun with clothes, often in ways that break fashion norms, and, I hope, remind those I interact with that social restrictions only matter as much as you let them. I am a firm believer that a great outfit is anything worn with confidence. That, I think, is one of the most important aspects of fashion: it pushes you to embrace risk, to trust yourself, to become more decisive, and to grow not only in self-acceptance, but in self-love.

“That, I think, is one of the most important aspects of fashion: it pushes you to embrace risk, to trust yourself, to become more decisive, and to grow not only in self-acceptance, but in self-love.”

All photos courtesy of Grace Peguese, to see more of her work, check out her portfolio here.

Quad Style: Miles Harrison

Hey, my name is Miles I am a second year in the college and I am currently undecided as to what major I wish to pursue. I do a lot of work with UChicago Student Action and  The Environmental Justice Task Force. Perhaps unsurprisingly,many of my hobbies revolve around design; I am an avid lover of architecture, landscape design, jewelry design, haute horology, automotive design, and of course fashion.

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I absolutely adore this pink sweater I happened upon in a thrift shop in Pilsen. It perfectly embodies my 2000s it girl dreams and I feel like Paris Hilton when i’m wearing it. I tend to pair this top either with a cute pair of shorts, or light wash jeans like the ones you see me wearing.

How would you describe your personal style?

I always aim to bring my fantasy world into being through my style: I want people to want to be glamorous but also unique in everything they do, whether that’s going to the grocery store, hopping on a flight, going to dinner, or even doing laundry. So my personal style is all about bringing hallmarks of bygone eras of elegance back into the spotlight while also incorporating the best elements and ideas of modern fashion.

Where do you find style inspiration?

My style inspiration comes from all parts of my life. I appreciate the architectural form of clothing items thanks to my interest in home and garden design, I am inspired to create well put-together looks by the seemingly effortless blend of low and high style embodied in the late Lady Diana, and for the past several years I have been deeply touched by the androgynous, carefree, and multi-faceted approach to dressing promoted by Alessandro Michele at Gucci.

I am wearing a Vintage Escada Pea Coat in the most fantastic shade of yellow. I love to wear this piece with tiny shorts because passersby often think I’m not wearing pants and its hilarious. This piece is an important part of my wardrobe because its one of the only pieces I own that covers my entire body therefore creating a bright, happy monotone look, even though for the shoot I added a black belt .

Where do you like to shop?

I shop almost exclusively at vintage consignment shops and second-hand stores for my more unique pieces because it not only means I often get to wear clothes that nobody else is wearing, but also because it means beautiful garments get a second life. I get basics from places like Ralph Lauren, EverLane, and Patagonia.

Do you have any fashion regrets? 

I wouldn’t say I have any regrets, but certainly as I look back at the many evolutions of my style over the years, there are certain moments and looks that I would’ve modified knowing what I know now.

I am wearing these colorful shorts I got from Dolls Kill, I love this piece because the seemingly random assortment of pastel colors which reflect my glam-girl hot mess aesthetic. The top is vintage Emilio Pucci, its the only tank top that I own and I love it because before I found it I would never have considered buying a sleeveless piece of clothing. In terms of accessories, I am wearing my Chanel J12, a pink bracelet, a Cartier Love bracelet in white gold, and most importantly my arsenal of chains which I play with nervously in all of life's awkward moments. I also have this absolutely delightful early 2000s phone that was a collab between Motorola and Kimora Lee Simmon’s Baby Phat label, can you tell pink is my favorite color?

“ I often dress for how I see the world in my mind and not in its reality. I think without fashion, life would be very hopeless in a sense”

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

I can say without hesitation and without exaggeration that fashion, and more broadly design, is everything to me and is central to my life. The ability to change my identity and my perception of myself every day (and perhaps even change how other people see me), or even twice in a day is so freeing, especially in the sense that I often dress for how I see the world in my mind and not in its reality. I think without fashion, life would be very hopeless in a sense. I think I have had this relationship with fashion since I was a small child, but only in the past 5 years have I actually been deeply aware of this connection and dependence.

Why is fashion important to you?

Fashion is important to me because in a world that is often restrictive, prescriptive, assumptive, and accidental, I get to make the very conscious wardrobe decisions I make every day and rebel against society’s assumptions about me or its restrictive ideas about what I should do and how I should act. Fashion is a small but essential form of rebellion for many people including myself.

“Fashion is a small but essential form of rebellion for many people including myself.”

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Images courtesy of Jaire Byers, to see more of his work, check out his portfolio here.

Quad Style: Lauren Torian

Hi! I’m Lauren Torian. I’m a 4th year majoring in Music, Anthropology, and Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies. I music direct for Voices and sometimes for University Theatre, but I perform with other groups outside UChicago. I work at Ex Lib so hit me up for your triple-shot red eye. If I’m not working, I’m probably watching some Gordon Ramsey show.

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This summer, Lauren traveled to Paris, the fashion capitol of the world, to study European Civilizations and French. Photos Taken at the L’Orangerie Museum.

How would you describe your personal style?

Clean. Casual. Feminin(e). An every day outfit for me is monochrome black with some statement/color piece, whether its my jacket, my shoes, my blouse. When I have more bold days, it usually involves menswear or club wear. I have broad shoulders and instead of hiding them, I play into it, so I wear a lot of oversized blazers.

Where do you find style inspiration?

When I can, I try to aim for a balance between sophistication and comfort. If something’s not comfortable, I can’t wear it, so I typically stray away from red-carpet or runway looks. I feel my best when I feel powerful so I look to a lot of powerful femmes: Janelle Monet’s performance outfits, Beyonce’s casual wear, Olivia Pope (pre-season 5), Jessie J, Issa Rae. The next stage of my fashion development is incorporating lingerie, inspired by Rihanna!

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

I used to not care at all about my clothing because I never had money to buy newer clothes or buy pieces that weren’t compatible with every other part of my wardrobe. There was a point where I decided to dress really simply with the few good pieces that I had. I realized that the way I dressed had the possibility to make me feel better about myself, to bring me past my neutral state of being. What I wear on any given day reflects what I need from my clothes that day; sometimes, it’s a bit of comfort, sometimes, it’s a whole lot of confidence, sometimes, it’s a splash of color on a grey day.

“What I wear on any given day reflects what I need from my clothes that day; sometimes, it’s a bit of comfort, sometimes, it’s a whole lot of confidence, sometimes, it’s a splash of color on a grey day.”

Both pants and blazer are from Forever 21. These are my favorite pair of pants because I’m 5’10” and it’s hard to find palazzo pants in my size that are also long enough to allow me to wear heels as well. Wearing this with a printed blazer, I feel super powerful.

Do you have any fashion regrets? 

Oh god, I loved knee-length jean skirts, stretchy tube tops, and my purple, square glasses when I was in middle school. Also every time I wore jeans under a mini skirt. All my bright, printed sweatshirts from Hot Topic. Good Lord. 

 What does fashion mean to you on a global definition?

Fashion is one of those fields of art that has both physical utility and social meaning. It’s a reflection of who you were when you bought it and who you are when you wear it today. It reflects who you are in the spaces you inhabit, or that one part of you that choose to show off. Fashion to me is a microcosmic reflection of who I am and how I happen to feel that day!

“Fashion to me is a microcosmic reflection of who I am and how I happen to feel that day!”

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All photos courtesy of Brinda Rao.

Quad Style: Cecília Resende Santos

Meet Cecília Resende Santos, a fourth-year Art History major focusing on 20th century architecture and urbanism. On campus, she's a part of Kitchen Sink. 

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“Fashion is a daily, non-consequential way of experimenting with aesthetic preferences and, if you will, projected versions of oneself.”

For this look, I am wearing a Worthington wool coat (thrifted), a Zara Basic ribbed mock neck long-sleeve shirt, a black lace top passed down from my mom (probably custom-made) and Uniqlo wool cropped wide-leg trousers.

How would you describe your personal style?

I came to think of my style as prioritizing shape–the geometry of the clothes and its relationship to the body–wearing often mono- or dichromatic outfits and primary colors. I almost never wear patterns. However, I have recently started thinking about texture, which can be very rich and appealing combined with form, for example, the pairing of a ribbed shirt with ribbed trousers, the embroidery-like texture of the top I inherited from my mom, or just the thickness of a fabric. Eventually, I want to find a way to reincorporate more color and patterns. And I tend to dress more put-together than I actually am.

Where do you find style inspiration? 

I gather fashion inspiration in a variety of ways, none of which are particularly intentional or conscious. I like looking at people on the street, observing people I know, and artists and professionals I admire, as well as occasionally going through Instagram and labels I know. The latter two often have very specific, well-defined and self-aware style, and it is interesting to observe them as statements and micro-verses from which to abstract principles and take inspiration. Ads in fashion and art magazines are also a source.

These earrings were maed by my stepmother’s mother, São Paulo-based jewelry designer Lia Barrella. 

Where do you like to shop?

Recently, I have mostly been shopping in thrift stores. Some of my favorite items come from thrift shops in Chicago and other cities. I tend to shop when I am traveling, as I walk in the city and perhaps to take something from a place (the black flowy trousers, for example, are from a thrift store in Brussels). Other favorites come from my mom or were made by my great-aunts–they are singular items made with great craft. But I have shopped for basics at Uniqlo, Everlane, sometimes Zara, and places with petite sizes.

I'm black ribbed flowy wide-leg trousers (thrifted), a Uniqlo white mock neck short-sleeve shirt and Miu Miu shoes (thrifted).

Do you have any fashion regrets? 

I wouldn’t wear much of the stuff I wore as recently as my first year of college, but I don’t really have regrets. I understand that my relationship to fashion, my taste and my self-perception have changed, and fashion choices reflect that.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

My relationship to fashion has changed dramatically over time. Until I was maybe 14, I didn’t care at all about fashion–almost to the point of condemning it. Most schools in Brazil require uniforms, so this wasn’t a big part of the day-to-day in any case. After that, in high school, as uniforms were no longer required, my attitude to fashion began to change. I became mostly concerned with wearing something composed, but neutral, making no statements. It was only in the end of high school and in college, when I moved out of my parent’s house in early 2014, that I started experimenting with outfits and developing some sense of personal style.

In the past two years my style has stabilized somewhat to its current version, but what is interesting and entertaining about fashion is the possibility of experimenting, making new combinations with the items I already own, and rediscovering preferences (or challenging them) when looking through magazines or thrift-shopping.

Why is fashion important to you?

Fashion is a daily, non-consequential way of experimenting with aesthetic preferences and, if you will, projected versions of oneself. For me, the considered thoughtlessness of it is part of a healthy diet of creativity, intellectuality, and amusement. And it has a real relationship with one’s self-confidence and perception of one’s own image – which I think can be harmful at times, but at other times can be very useful.

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All images courtesy of Angela Fung. Check out more of her photography here.

Quad Style: Keira Li

Meet Keira, a 4th year Art History major from China. She plans to study architecture after college, and her dream is to design a palace complex for dogs!

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How would you describe your personal style?

Mostly streetwear/vintage. I wear a lot of black, and I don’t like clothes that are too colorful or extremely feminine. Usually when I run out of ideas for outfits I put on my favorite combination— black turtleneck sweater and jeans (aka the Steve Jobs look).

I'm wearing a white t-shirt from JNBY, Leather jacket from Genuine People, velvet pants from Genuine People, boots from Unif.

Where do you find style inspiration? 

’90s Hong Kong movies, my mom’s closet and Instagram!

Where do you like to shop?

I’m a fan of Vetements and Acne Studios. However, they are way too expensive for me to actually afford anything from them. In reality, most of my favorite pieces are from Unif, Opening Ceremony and Genuine People (those are still not cheap, but occasionally affordable). For bags and accessories, Building Block has a great collection of minimalist designs.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

Yes. I once bought a black hoodie from Anti Social Social Club. The first time I wore it I came across two random people wearing the exact same hoodie. Absolutely didn’t like that!

I'm wearing a sweatshirt from Sandro, skirt from Aritzia, boots from Unif.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

I think that ultimately, our relationship to what we wear boils down to our relationship to our body. There was a time when I believed that the only way I could look fashionable was by wearing size 00/XXS clothes. I’ve always been naturally skinny, but during that time I somehow got super obsessed with getting the body shape of a runway model. Now when I look back it seemed ridiculous and I honestly didn’t look great because I lacked confidence in myself. Instead of changing ourselves to conform to a certain type of beauty standard or fashion style, it is more important to appreciate our individuality and choose clothing that best suits that. To look nice and confident we have to first accept and become comfortable in our own bodies.

Why is fashion important to you?

Because I care about how I look and I have to wear clothes!

“I think that ultimately, our relationship to what we wear boils down to our relationship to our body... To look nice and confident we have to first accept and become comfortable in our own bodies.”

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All images courtesy of Julia Attie. To view more of her photography, click here.

Quad Style: Sam Royall

Meet Sam, a third year Computer Science and Philosophy double major. He spends most of his time on campus doing things related to music, fashion, and technology.

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For this shoot, I’m wearing a Ralph Lauren Double-R L Western Jacket, a Steven Alan trench, an AMI wool sweater and a pair of AMI wool trousers, a Fred Perry polo, a Martine Rose tee, a pair of Maison Margiela sneakers, and a pair of Air Force 1s.

What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

I started getting into fashion when I was younger through watching movies. I wanted to look like the characters I liked in film, and because of that I was initially much more into traditional menswear. This got me into the big designers in men’s formalwear, but I’ve definitely moved away from that. As I became more interested in fashion, I learned about brands like CDG, Acne, JW Anderson, Needles, Maison Margiela, Thom Browne, Gucci, etc., and started following them closely. However, I’ve recently developed a new-found love for brands I’ve always worn but never really thought of as very “fashionable.”

“I think people can get caught up in fashion and feel like they always need to wear ‘fashionable’ brands, but there’s really nothing cooler than the classics.”

I think people can get caught up in fashion and feel like they always need to wear “fashionable” brands, but there’s really nothing cooler than the classics. Brands like Carhartt WIP, and ubiquitous brands like Nike, Levis, The North Face, and Patagonia, are staples in their own rights, but I like to think of them as just as important, although in different sense, to my style as the brands I listed earlier. Because of this, I like to throw together clothes that represent each of these periods in my life and really enjoy wearing things that might not generally be seen as going together.

Where do you like to shop?

I love going to stores around Chicago, like Notre and random places in Wicker Park, but I tend to buy must of my stuff from online retailers or specific brands’ e-stores. It’s just too easy to find stuff on sale to justify spending money at actual clothing stores. I tend to just look around when I go shopping around the city. I love seeing and trying on clothes even if I’m not planning on buying.

Where do you find style inspiration?

I mainly just keep up to date with brands and their look-books. It’s always cool to see the editorials released by stores I like, and browse Instagram sometimes to see what kind of stuff people I follow are wearing. Also, looking around when I walk Downtown or around campus is big. Seeing how people decide to dress (even if not consciously) is a big inspiration for me.

“Seeing how people decide to dress (even if not consciously) is a big inspiration for me.”

Why is fashion important to you?

This might be an idealistic view, but I think that just by how you dress, you can tell people a lot about yourself. The way people are perceived has a lot to do with how they present themselves. I think fashion is a really big part of that. I’m not worried about being judged. On the contrary, I like that people, just by seeing me walk around, can learn something about me – my interests, what I think looks good, and maybe even something about my personality. In that sense, I think the way you dress is really important, and I think it is a lot of fun to feel like you’re expressing yourself through the way you choose to dress.

How would you describe your personal style?

I like to throw together random pieces of clothing, which might be seen as coming from different “styles.” I might wear pants and shoes that would tend to go with more formal outfits with a graphic tee or hoodie that might be considered more on the streetwear side of things. I like putting things like a colorful Patagonia puffer or North Face jacket with something that is more traditionally seen as fashionable. I think this shows that I like “clothes” as a blanket term rather than fashion itself, which might imply that I want to stick only to brands that are considered fashionable.

At the end of the day, I just like to make outfits out of things I like that look good together. (I always try to throw some color in, even if it is overcast and freezing outside, like it generally is.)

Do you have any fashion regrets?

Everyone has worn a wack outfit before. But I tend to think that style is a gradual process that can’t be reached unless a certain amount of experimentation has been done. That being said, you’re going to mess up if you’re doing it right. So I don’t really regret any of the fashion choices I’ve made.

“I tend to think that style is a gradual process that can’t be reached unless a certain amount of experimentation has been done.”

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All images courtesy of Kyle Lee. To view more of his photography, check out his Instagram account @jooksingkyle.

Quad Style: Alexis Kim

Meet Alexis Kim, a third year Public Policy major from Watchung, New Jersey. She's the Marketing Head of Women in Business and is currently interning downtown at a tech incubator. In her free time, she likes to cook Korean food, watch French movies, and eat Jeni's ice cream with her friends!

How would you describe your style?

Clean-cut, comfortable, and feminine. My closet is filled mostly with basic pieces that I can wear in many different combinations.

What's your go-to outfit?

Right now, a t-shirt, flared jeans, sneakers, and my black duster coat.

What does fashion mean to you?

Whatever you'd like it to! For me, it's always been about authenticity and feeling good in my own skin.

Who or what are your style inspirations?

Liu Wen and Jeanne Damas. They're both very natural but elegant at the same time. My mom has also always been an inspiration. She taught me that my style is for myself, not to impress others.

What is your favorite current trend?

Slip dresses. They're loose fitting but still flattering. I wear mine with a white t-shirt underneath.

What are your favorite places to shop?

I really like Rag & Bone and Zadig & Voltaire. My favorite jeans right now are from Paige. I also have a handful of my mom's old sweaters and dresses that I love!

“[my mom] taught me that my style is for myself, not to impress others.”

And lastly, what's the most important part of any look?

The way you carry yourself. And your smile!

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Photos courtesy of Rebecca Cho. To see more of Rebecca's work, click here!

Quad Style: Kira Ke

Can you introduce yourself to our readers? (e.g. name, year, majors + minors, RSOs + hobbies)
Hello! My name is Kira. I come from Canada and study Political Science at the College - now in my fourth year. I love reading, drawing, and being outdoors. This quarter I’m helping produce a book evaluating the effectiveness of U.S. counterterrorism strategies abroad. On campus I help run a foreign-policy RSO called MPOST.

What are you wearing (for this shoot)?
Here I’m repping some Canadian brands – coat and beige shirt from Oak + Fort and pants from Aritzia. Earrings and socks are probably from Amazon and dress is from COS. Beanie is from a street vender in Japan.

How would you describe your style?
I like simple clothes that fit well and feel nice. Block colours, muted tones, good material, and some interesting design motif do it for me. But my everyday clothes at UChicago are more just whatever I can throw together before I’m late to class.

What does fashion mean to you?
It’s a fun way for me to change the way I look.

Who or what are your style inspirations?
I’m trying to emulate Beyoncé’s earring game from Don’t Hurt Yourself. Otherwise, I’m inspired by the people I pass by in daily life, my city, my sister, and K-pop.

What is your favorite current trend?
I’m really digging that cropped, fringe jeans look right now but it’s getting too chilly. So I’m going to go with turtlenecks. Is it current? I don’t know. But what I do know is that they shield me from the wind. Haters be hating but my neck is warm and snug.

What are your favorite places to shop?
My sister’s closet but I don’t spend money there

And lastly, most important part of any look?
Personality

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All images courtesy of Angela Liu. Check out her photography portfolio here.