Every college campus has a dress code nobody wrote down. At Eastern, it’s hoodies, sneakers and team gear. Look closer, though, and there might be a cropped jacket that used to be something else, a belt that pulls an outfit together, or socks chosen on purpose.
Ask four of the campus’ most fashionable students to describe their style, and four versions of “it depends” will be the response. Junior music major Jordy Justice calls her taste “literally anything,” hopping between Y2K, streetwear, vintage-alt and cutesy K-pop. Senior music major Stefan “Stef” Williams said indie, though he likes to tap into different genres and eras. Sophomore nursing major Jennyna Joseph mixes feminine and ’90s looks depending on the day. “No matter what I end up wearing, I always feel like me,” she said. First-year Neila Hamilton, a double major in marketing and musical theatre, keeps it simple: purple, in every shade.
Their inspiration is just as varied. Justice scrolls TikTok and Pinterest and watches K-pop idols like CORTIS and KATSEYE, then takes pieces and makes them her own. Williams’ fashion education began with Disney Channel’s Austin Moon, whom he tried to dress like as a kid. These days he looks to social media creators, soccer players and Pinterest. Joseph’s muse was closer to home: her mother, “an icon” of perfect color combinations and pointed-toe heels. “If you are going to feel like a bum,” her mother told her, “At least don’t let the world see you looking like a bum.” Hamilton’s answer is the shortest: “Purple inspired my fashion!”
Secondhand shopping unites most of them. Justice sticks to Goodwill and 2Ave and swears by the Goodwill bins and outlet store. Williams treats a thrift find as a starting point, cropping, cutting, dyeing or bleaching it. “The imperfections in a piece to me add more personality,” he said. Joseph and Hamilton both shop SHEIN, though Jennyna follows one rule wherever she goes: buy with purpose, nothing she won’t wear more than once.
Accessories finish the job. Justice keeps to belts, bags and light jewelry. Williams said even sock color can turn a good outfit into a great one. Hamilton’s purple bracelets and hoop earrings “complete the overall look.” For Joseph, an outfit feels incomplete without them.
As for the campus overall, the students agree the baseline is casual. Justice calls it “pretty calm or basic,” with plenty of athletic wear and only a small group taking fashion seriously. Hamilton finds it “very diverse,” though she sees plenty of leggings and sweatpants. Joseph notes that a few students are unafraid to stand out. Williams is the optimist. He said the scene grows more creative each year as Eastern draws students from around the world.
Their advice fits together. Justice said to take risks and go thrifting. Williams said, “Dress who YOU are.” Joseph said fashion should be “fun, unique and yours.” Hamilton said to wear what makes you feel like YOU.
So, the next time someone in a hand-bleached jacket or a perfectly matched pair of socks passes by, don’t assume they’re trying to impress others. They’re just being themselves.
