What is OSU wearing?
On an uncharacteristically warm day in February, people on the Oklahoma State University campus dressed accordingly— stepping out in shorts or even putting on a tank top, allowing their skin to soak up the sun for the first time in months. Others stuck to their usual uniform, wearing flashy jackets, monochromatic outfits or eye-catching accessories.
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A shirt that says “take risks for what you love” worn with a cross necklace and head phones next to a forest green shirt paired with a mohair beanie. A green and gray Kappa Delta hoodie is seen behind them.
Sidewalks are their runways, and their peers are the judges.
And they don’t require a special occasion to get dressed up.
People on OSU’s campus took advantage of a February false summer this week, breaking out T-shirts and tank tops as temperatures hit daily highs in the 60s and 70s.
But fashion is a year-round matter, especially on campus. Some students arrive at college with a self-patented look, while others explore campus and their sense of personal style simultaneously.
Amithyst Ahlstrom did the latter. She said she was never much of a “fashion person,” but college changed that.
“College is also just a place to just be yourself and be free,” Ahlstrom said. “And so I feel that having this freedom has allowed me to be more free with my wardrobe.”
Ahlstrom, a freshman physics major, made a Pinterest board to find inspiration for how to wear items she had in her closet. But social media isn’t the only way to discover trends and brainstorm new looks.
Campus is a catwalk for stylish outfits, thrift finds and casual couture. Here’s what walked the runway this week.
Amithyst Ahlstrom wearing a shirt that says “life is hard, get more cats” under a flannel. She made her beanie, and the boots are from Walmart.
Jackets
Despite the warm weather, jackets, hoodies and long sleeves were popular choices.
A buckled burgundy blazer paired with a collared shirt and tan boots.
She wore a blue and green striped Aerie top over a white collared shirt.
Colorful red and white jacket paired with a red hat, headphones and a Brooklyn, New York, shirt.
A graphic sweatshirt worn with a black hat and tan pants.
A Jack Daniels NASCAR jacket he bought at a farmer’s market in Kansas City for $85.
An earth-toned outfit made up of a green and brown jacket and tan pants.
Grunge
Grunge was born in Seattle, Washington, according to Vogue. Bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam pioneered the sounds of grunge, and the grunge aesthetic developed shortly after. And it stuck around.
Kennedy Skaggs, a junior strategic communications major, said she was going for an emo-grunge vibe with her Monday morning outfit, but her style isn’t limited to that.
“I'm very into street wear kind of stuff,” Skaggs said. “I’ll wear a dress every now and then on campus, but usually just baggy jeans, T-shirt, that’s my vibe.”
Kennedy Skaggs, armed with a Red Bull, wears a black graphic cropped tee over a white long sleeve. She pairs it with a leather belt.
A black top, black pants, black belt, black jewelry and black converse outfit.
A black long sleeve and Carhartt beanie accessorized with two gold chains.
A black sweater and black jeans and a plaid collar.
Color
Amid the grunge wave, color stood out. People rocked monochromatic looks or went with a simple pop of color.
For some, it was a calculated outfit. For others, the color was less intentional.
“I grabbed it out of my closet this morning, I didn’t put much thought into it,” said Chloe Muriay.
Pink on pink on pink. Even the Stanley cup.
A T-shirt graphic and a lanyard offer a bit of color to an otherwise black-on-black look.
Chloe Mariay in a pink top and skirt from TJ Maxx while carrying a leather purse.
A colorful skateboard design adds color to any outfit when attached to his backpack.
Red headphones stand out against a black shirt.
A bright orange sweatshirt stands out among the crowd of people in front of Edmon Low Library.