The current controversy within the fashion world over the authenticity of using a stylist to express personal fashion has left smart, college women rolling their eyes. Though stars remind everyone that their best friend is Rachel Zoe, Los Angeles celebrity stylist, the high-end fashion culture declares stylists to be on the clearance rack.
Students have long been dressing themselves (although they usually don’t have a choice in the matter), which puts stylish college students ahead of the curve. Any fashion genius and originality seen on campus can be attributed to the owner, making the pieces in the ensemble that much more valuable.
Lindsay Lohan, who was unavailable for comment, currently cannot get enough of short, sequined dresses. That doesn’t mean University students should too.
University senior Cameo Davis steers clear of outrageous fashion and instead opts for simple classics when dressing up.
On campus, Davis wears classic light-wash, bootcut Citizen of Humanity Jeans and a long sleeve, heather-gray Express sweater. A shiny, black hardware-heavy GUESS bag sits neatly over her shoulder. Only when questioned about her tiny pearl earrings does she laugh, put her hand up to her ear, remembering the pair, and admit they cost $2 from claire’s accessories. Only a small, silver nose-ring stud adorns her face.
“There is not much inspiration here,” Davis said. “Most of the time I am wearing ‘Go Ducks’ sweats.”
Although Davis acknowledged that her jeans can tend toward pricey, she feels the cost is worth it.
After all the loops fashion has thrown, it turns out the most universally successful trends for the average fashion consumer (read: those not being styled for the red carpet) are straight-lined pieces intended to allow physical movement.
University sophomore Andrea Welsh, donning leopard-print ballet flats from Buffalo Exchange, decorated with a giant red rose, Seven For All Mankind Jeans and a cream bebe jacket with a brown sash tied around the waist, achieves both function and style with her classy collaboration.
“That is where I find my joy (in dressing),” Welsh said. “From mixing expensive pieces with thrift store finds.”
In a far cry from Lohan’s sequins, Welsh said her style icons Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn had modest styles that also contrasted with the overtly sexy, stylized outfits of their time.
Theresé Long, who sells shoes at Miss Meers on Fifth Street in Eugene wears black-and-white, polka-dot heels and dark, boot cut jeans and also has a comfortable, polished style.
“Girls are basing their outfits around shoes, rather than buying shoes to match the outfit,” Long said. Girls buy heels to pair with outfits because they have enough versatility to wear throughout a busy day of classes, work and going to the bars, Long said.
No matter how often fashion magazines declare bootcut jeans dead, busy, stylish girls still cannot get enough of them. On the other hand, this spring’s cropped skinny jeans look sleek with printed round-toe heels.
“It is hard because in Oregon you have to adjust your style with the weather,” Welsh said. “But I like to present myself in a certain light; it makes me perform better. Clothes show others your mood.”
Nothing could be sexier than knowing that you look good, even if it means leaving the sequins at home.