adies, do you have
your metallics?
Men, how do your legs look? Good enough for your new mini-skirt?
Did you know grunge has gone bye-bye?
(We mourn the loss).
But it seems most University of Arizona students still enjoy the sloppiness that defined grunge.
One glance at the Mall and one can conclude that UA fashion consists of the ever reliable T-shirts and shorts.
"I don't put much effort into it," "I wear what's clean," "Someone gave me this shirt." These are but a sampling of the type of comments recently offered up when a nonscientific sampling of students were asked about their approach to fashion and style.
Even when Wildcat reporters stopped women in pretty outfits, or men with an actual shirt (not a T-shirt) on, they said, "Today is a fluke, I usually wear a T-shirt and shorts."
"I don't just throw on a T-shirt and shorts," said Lauren Scherr, merchandising and consumer studies senior. The MCS major offers classes in wholesale and retail marketing of products to the consumer. The major is geared towards students who hope to someday work in the fashion industry.
"I try to go out in what's most current, and flattering," Scherr said.
Scherr can be considered a student fashion expert, if only because she was one person who told our reporters she puts effort into dressing each day.
"Silver metallics are popular in many forms," Scherr said. She added that last season's pinstripes and velvet are popular as well.
Men in skirts, you ask?
"Yes," said Scherr. "Cross-gender dressing is popular." According to Scherr, Designer Anna Sui has shown a men's line of skirts on the runway.
And grunge? That plaid, mismatched Salvation-Army-inspired fashion trend that originated in Seattle and was epitomized by members of such bands as Pearl Jam and Nirvana simply is gone, according to Scherr.
Ellen Goldsberry, director of the Southwestern Retail Center in Family and Consumer Resources, proclaims that long baby doll dresses in soft feminine fabricsare especially stylish for women this season.
Where are students shopping? Upon observation, nobody seems to be buying the new styles off the rack at places like Express and Structure. Jeanette Lee, manager at Tucson Mall's Express, said knee socks and the tailored look are very big. Structure manager, Melissa Cohen, also states that "corduroys are hot-sellers." Dark fall colors and sweaters are also in.
Hot is right! Problem is, these fall styles do not go over well in Arizona where it is summer most of the year.
n a Tucson 102 degree Monday when you have to run six blocks from your car to class in three
minutes, corduroys would definitely not be so "hot."
Students know what they need in this scorching desert heat when they feel like a flame-broiled Whopper. All one needs is a baggy white T-shirt, and some old (or new), shorts. Comfort seems to be the top priority on everyone's list.
Personal style is also important. Students don't follow any one style in particular, Goldsberry said. She added that people dress according to their individual style.
Kristin Ehernberger, general biology sophomore said, "I just wear what feels right."
There is a flexibility that hasn't always existed, Goldsberry said, referring to the cashmere sweater every girl had to have in the '50s. Think back to high school, and those sought after Guess Jeans, those Swatches, and those Hard Rock Cafe T-shirts. Were those really so important?
Clothes come from varied sources according to UA students. Rich Cornish, a political science senior, says he borrows or takes all of his clothes.
"My shirt was my brother's, and the shorts belonged to my Dad," Cornish said. Although he stated that he has no discretionary income for newer clothing, he did have pricey sandals on his feet.
"These were a gift," he said.
Students claim there is just no time in their schedules to think about fashion. And even well-dressed students proclaim that they do not to care about such trivial matters.
"There are so many things more important in life than fashion," said Jolyn Reuter, dance sophomore.
Trevor Laing, computer engineering junior, was seen sporting a smart, plaid shirt nicely coordinated with off-white, denim shorts. Yet, he said he doesn't put much effort into what he wears because "everything in my wardrobe goes to
gether." Kind of like Garanimal-like, isn't it?
Laing was the only student who mentioned quality as a top priority when he shops for clothing. He says he likes hiking boots because they are durable. Laing also mentioned that the clothing he has seen in popular stores like Structure and the Gap seem to be "cheap" in quality.
Price and comfort reigned as the two deciding factors that dictate what students throw on their bodies every morning.
Budget-balancing, bargain-minded individuals make Buffalo Exchange their primary spot for fashion grazing.
"Buffalo Exchange definitely!" said Jasmine Koh, journalism junior.
"I only go to the mall if there are sales," she said.
Vintage Dresses with new sweaters, long dresses, thermal T-shirts, vests, and boots are selling big this fall, said Carrie Peterson, a buyer for Buffalo Exchange.
Peterson added, there is a back to basics look, muted colors, smaller prints, "a less wild look than normal."
Many students interviewed stated that they enjoy shopping at the Gap. "I like the Gap," said Reuter, the dance sophomore. Comfort is important for Reuter because of her major.
The Gap epitomizes the basic look with their easy-to-coordinate, simple clothing lines each season. The Gap might be especially attractive to students because their clothing is marketed to suggest practicality for busy people.
However, Cornish, the sandal guy, does not agree with popular opinion on the Gap. Given a choice of retailers, he would "definitely not choose the Gap."
Scherr prefers shopping at home in Los Angeles at places like Nordstrom and I. Magnun. In Tucson, she finds that she can shop "piece by piece" at department stores like Dillard's
"Fashion forward" is the look Scherr strives for. She achieves this look by taking one expensive piece of clothing and mixing it with several other less expensive items. This is a way, Scherr suggests, to imitate a designer look without spending the money. She feels that people in Arizona are very conservative and basic.
Scherr said, a "natural look" in clothing is increasingly popular. Goldsberry said the "green scene" shows ecological dressing, including natural vegetable dyes, and clothes manufactured in a way kinder to the environment.
Fashion ideas are particular to the person and how much effort they wish to put into shopping. Students get their fashion ideas from other people and what they see on the sale racks. Hawkins said, "If I see something on someone else it would make me more interested in (trying) it."
Everybody has their own take on the T-shirt- and-shorts look, whether to add beaded necklaces, stringy cut-offs, or tuck- your-shirt-in-and-wear-a-belt, the look is yours. Designer looks show up in various ways, said Goldsberry, they are our source for many ideas. Students latch onto variations particularly with accessories.
Women may not have their metallic pants, but what about all that new silver jewelry. Men may not have any designer- original skirts, but you are tying your shirts around your waist aren't you?
And please, please, please, say good-bye to grunge.
Amanda Hunt and Elizabeth Hill, both journalism majors, were stolen from the Wildcat News Desk for this assignment.