What fashion is hot on campus right now

The ultimate guide to step up your fashion A-game!

Could you tell me something more fun than dressing up for classes and being photographed by IGNITE? Taking inspiration from the work of fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, IGNITE is bringing back a street-style series featuring students who are rocking some seriously cool looks on campus.

Everyday outfits are shaping fashion trends, which means that those classmates who look like fashion influencers in class are the ones influencing fashion altogether. We went around campus to check what outfits your peers are rocking — this is what we got:

What are people wearing?

Let’s talk about what you might have noticed on campus in the past weeks. Transitioning from summer to fall brings a shift in fashion, leaving behind the brat summer and european boy aesthetic to the cozy fall vibe.

Yes, I am talking about the grandma aesthetic, so get ready to dust out your cardigans and vintage outfits. But don’t forget about the trends that are still mainstream and won’t be gone in the near future. I am referring to baggy clothes — which you might be wearing right now. These staple items go with everything, and they combine practical elements with modern fashion.

Futuristic fashion look combined with baggy style — *Pictures by Iren Minka*.

Streetwear style showing star pants, chunky goth boots and anime shirt

Nikk Hans, a second-year business management student, is a vision of this baggy style, with oversized pieces, metallic accessories and the popular futuristic shades, as seen on his Instagram @nikk_x_hxns.

Hands-on with Hans is Nazzy Chatter, a first-year general arts and science student, taking street fashion to a turn. Chatter is a fan of streetwear, she mixes different fashion subcultures to come up with her outfits, which are a fusion of goth, artistic and feminine styles. Influenced by TikTok fashion and media gothic moments such as “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the new “Goth Revival” movement as stated by Vogue, is making heads turn with dark outfits, platform shoes and leather over leather.

Unique fashion trends

Maximalism style inspiration — *Pictures by Iren Minka*.

A more distinctive style is maximalism and overlaying. Stephany Lamy is an enthusiast of such style, she likes to mix and match patterns, accessories and colours that feel good with her outfits.

“The key to maximalism is to not care that much and play around with your outfits,” Lamy said.

On the other side of this trend, we have the minimalistic look and a variation of it being the Japanese street style as implemented by Owen Lisle, a final-year student in the fashion creative advertisement program.

Lisle is as much influenced by “Japanese style” as by 90’s fashion. Taking inspiration from celebrities like Jacob Elordi, who implement the classic 90’s look. Much of his style consists of items from Uniqlo, the iconic jorts and flowy clothes.

The Y2K thrift fever

90's supermodel look using baggy jeans, lace top and big y2k bag — *Picture by Iren Minka*.

Over the past few years, Y2K fashion, known for its low-rise bottoms, baby tees, trucker hats and cargo pants, has had a comeback.

Third-year advertising and marketing student, Amani Ashanti, is a Y2K fan herself. She believes in timeless vintage pieces rather than fast-paced trends. Ashanti describes her style as alternative experimental brutalism with soft aspects that merge with the 2000’s aesthetic. Find her on Instagram as @theeimaniashanti for Y2K fashion inspo.

Ashanti gets most of her outfits from thrift stores, where she spots rare finds. Thrift stores and apps like Depop have become the main channels for shopping for unique and vintage pieces, as promoted by influencers and sustainable advocates on TikTok through the hashtag #ThriftHauls.

Influenced or personalized

Y2K fashion trend with butterfly dress, chunky fur boots and rave makeup inspired look — *Picture by Iren Minka*.

Even though there are constant emerging fashion trends, some fashionistas prefer to follow their own rules. Like Alice, a student in the marketing program, who declares she is “her own inspiration.”

Alice says she is a “hodgepodge of different styles,” combining Y2K and rave fashion to create her own designs. Like Alice, many people prefer to be de-influenced by media and trends to explore a more creative and artistic style that does not play by the norms. Follow her on social media for more unique outfits, @sappho.xd.

Rocket man movie paparazzi — *Via GIPHY*.

Fashion encompasses a large spectrum of styles, trends and aesthetics that can be confusing for someone new to this world. To make it easy for you, remember that there is always inspiration to take from day-to-day people who are defining the main trends seen in the streets: baggy style, maximalism and layering, Y2K fashion, thrift mania and modern goth.

Trends may come and go, but always try to show your personal style and express yourself through fashion. Dress up when going to class! Who knows… you might end up featured in the next street-style series.

Feature image courtesy of Tamara Bellis via Unsplash.

Needing more fashion inspo? Check out this fashion forecast for transitioning from summer to fall!