Embracing their inner prep, Rice students have been spotted all over campus sporting the collars and sweaters trend. Will Rice freshman Genevieve Tariton and Hanszen sophomore Vishnu Kumar were just two of the many students spotted wearing this layered combination in light of the chilly weather. Though both wear dress shirts underneath their relatively fitted V-neck sweaters, Tariton and Kumar demonstrated two very different looks.
By wearing a black sweater, Tariton allows the lovely stripes of her multi-colored shirt to really pop in her outfit. Similarly colored but of a decidedly different pattern, Tariton's slip-ons are a nice touch to her outfit, as they allow for visual repetition without being too matchy-matchy. She successfully gives her look a more casual feel by wearing cuffed skinny jeans and letting the edges of her shirt sleeve and bottom peak out. Kumar, on the other hand, has created a more formal look by tucking his lightly-colored dress shirt into soft brown corduroys. The lavender collar and light grey sweater combination creates an understated look that works well with the brown tones that dominate the rest of his outfit. Excepting the lavender dress shirt underneath, Kumar's very classic take on the trend bears strong resemblance to earlier forms of this trend.
In the 1920s, American men started wearing casual open-collared white shirts with V-neck sweaters, and later with crewneck sweaters as well. The 1950s saw a resurgence of this look, as preppy fashion began to dominate the collegiate fashion scene among Ivy League universities. However, the sweater and collar combination truly hit mainstream fashion in 1980s, as a clean-cut look for male and female preps alike. Stars of the time, like Michael Jackson, contributed to the development of the sweaters and collars trend by switching out the classic white dress shirts for eclectically patterned button-downs. The preppy collar and sweater has become a mainstay in American fashion since then, reincarnating every time in a slightly different form.
This season, it has become trendy for women to wear chunky knit sweaters with innocent-looking Peter Pan collared blouses or elaborate detachable collars decorated with jewels or studs. In men's fashion, we've seen a continuation of the fitted look, with an emphasis on neutral combinations and the addition of quirky bow ties.
Trends on Campus: Leopard Print in Different Dosages
Ruby Gee | September 14, 2011
Leopard print is a tricky trend to rock. Though the animal print undeniably holds a connotation of boldness and sexiness, it also can scream tacky-trophy-wife-who-is-trying-too-hard when worn incorrectly. Martel College freshman Meredith McGrath (pictured to the right) has the right idea though.
When in doubt, wear this loud print in smaller amounts, through scarves and detailing on accessories. Notice how McGrath has nicely balanced out her outfit for Houston's fall weather by topping off her white shorts with a sheer and light scarf.
Leopard print itself is a rather controversial classic; each year though, the fashion world seems to emphasize a new way to wear the spotty print. This season, this animal print has been reincarnated in the forms of faded leopard print denim, leopard printed detailing on accesories and long, flowy leopard print maxi dresses. Gone are the days of brightly colored leopard print tops and short babydoll dresses that mix leopard print with darkly colored lace.
According to Christian Blake of the science blog Quantum Biologist, the leopard print trend first gained traction in the US in the 1940s, when pin-up models started wearing the traditionally-masculine print as playful political statement on sexual empowerment. In the 1960s, hippies used this animal print to epitomize their adoption of the free love philosophy. At the same time, rock n' rollers started wearing animal print to express a sense of hypersexualized androgyny. Since then, leopard print has tumbled in and out of popularity with straight women and gay men in the Western fashion world, with its controversial historical connotations in tow.
At Rice, female students have been embracing this trend with considerably more enthusiasm than their male counterparts. Usually spotted in its customary brown shade, leopard print has been seen around campus in the guise of leopard printed flats and leopard print lined totes. As florals continue to be stowed away for the impending winter season, a prediction for this trend is that it will gain increasing visibility as students look for more ways to spice up their fall neutrals.