Conformity is not cool.
If you're new to my column, now you know. If you've read it before, you've heard this five million times.
It's not cool being just like everybody else, but sometimes it's helpful (or just nice) to know what people around you are wearing. You can't find out what your peers are wearing from Vogue or Harper's Bazaar, but you can find out what your peers are wearing by "people watching."
Really though, who actually engages in active people watching?
The answer: people like me, who write columns like this. (Basically, dorks.)
If you were asked to compile a list of the top 10 trends at U.Va., what would you put on this list? Read on to see if the people I've seen around Grounds, my friends and I all have the same ideas.
1. Your downtrodden look, frizzy hair and runny makeup aren't exactly conducive to achieving a first-rate look, so what do you do when it's raining and you don't want to look like a total slob? Galoshes -- that's what I call them. You may call them rain boots. J.Crew calls them wellies. Whatever you call them, they're a fun way to add color to a dreary, rainy-day outfit. I've seen lots of girls wear them over jeans or under jeans with the cuffs rolled up. If you want to be a little more daring, try wearing your galoshes with a skirt. If you're not a galoshes fan, there's always the ultimate rainy day fallback -- rolled up jeans with Rainbow sandals. Seriously, I would love to know just how many people at U.Va. actually own Rainbow sandals. It's insane. I can't even put Rainbows on this list, because they're so much a part of the U.Va. wardrobe it would be redundant to include them. But let me not digress...
2. Popped-collar polo shirts. Love the popped collar or hate it, you've got to admit that you've seen it. Everywhere.
3. Monogrammed/embroidered belts. They're very similar to ribbon belts but are a nice alternative. I've primarily seen them on guys, but they are by no means strictly a guy thing. Monogrammed belts have the owner's name embroidered directly on the belt, near the buckle. More rare are the belts with little metal plates on them. The monogram is engraved onto the metal plate, which is sewn onto the belt. Very unique. Embroidered belts look like they've been stitched, because, well, they have been. I think they look nice on U.Va. kids, but I also really like them on dads, since they're preppy but still classy.
4. Frilly mini skirts make me want to throw up sometimes, but I still admit to owning one. Abercrombie & Fitch went overboard on these skirts, and I feel like almost every girl I know owns one. They're nice, but in my opinion, they're going to be played out really soon.
5. North Face/Patagonia backpacks (especially in black). Need I say more?
6. Longchamp/Harve Chapelier/Lilly Pulitzer Totes are popular for hauling around those annoying books in style. Look out for the Longchamp ones with the leather handle, the two-tone Harves and the Beachy Lilly totes. A friend recently told me that Lilly stopped making the totes, so if you've wanted one for a while, don't delay!
7. Chunky Jewelry, especially necklaces in turquoise and pink, add a little spice to any black or white T-shirt. These necklaces are huge and very loud -- they definitely make a statement. Speaking of huge...
8. Oversize sunglasses in Tortoise or Black Plastic are all over the place. These glasses are so huge that they seem to hide your entire face to the point that it's difficult to recognize the you. If you're ever walking to class and no one says "hi" to you, don't feel like a complete loser! Blame it on your sunglasses ... even if you're not wearing any.
9. Seersucker everything. Headbands, belts, blazers, cropped pants, skirts ... even whole suits are worn by many students. Try pulling off a seersucker suit -- you may surprise yourself.
10. Madras shorts are very cute. They're those shorts that look like you sewed them yourself -- the ones with all the little square patches of plaid and solids and random colors that don't really match, but do. They look great with a polo shirt, but I've seen some guys pair them with a fitted (not too fitted) T-shirt. Mixing preppy with city-chic adds some surprise to your outfit, which is always welcome.
So now you know. Whether you're a curious first year, or a seasoned fourth year, hopefully this little list has enlightened or amused you. Whether you embrace individuality or tend to conform, a little seersucker (or madras or Longchamp) could never hurt.
Demetra can be reached at fashion@cavalierdaily.com
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