Famous fashion designer Alexander McQueen once said, “fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.” Fashion has always been used as a way of expression. It is constantly changing, and the role that fashion plays in femininity is different for every woman.
One of the best places to see fashion’s role in femininity is on a college campus. Fashion is always evolving, and with those popular trends, right now cowboy boots are in.
“ I love love love cowboy boots and the old western cowgirl style. Some of my favorite fashion tips are the sandwich method where your shoes and your top are the same colors to bring some cohesiveness to your outfit. I also love the half tuck into the bra to give a basic shirt some dimension,” said Ava Kate McGeough
McGeough, who is an apparels and textiles major said that her favorite project at UA so far has been designer research; “it’s where you get assigned 6 designers from all over the world and you have to find out their style and diffusion lines and their runway pictures.”
Fashion might seem easy, or senseless to outsiders, but a lot goes into it. And here at UA the apparel and textiles department does a phenomenal job of allowing fashion to be an outlet for students.
“The most challenging aspect of being an apparel and textiles major is definitely grasping the concept of the fashion world. People assume that it’s such an easy major and that you won’t get a real job after graduation but the work that goes into fashion is insane. The levels in fashion retailing alone aren’t even fully explained to us because they change so much. One of the hardest parts of the major is dealing with the backlash from other majors,” said McGeough.
Inevitably most people will have a fashion disaster in their lifetime.
“Omg my biggest fashion disaster was for a full year I only wore sweatshirts, lululemon leggings and my hair pulled slick back into a high ponytail, I kid you not every single day I wore that,” said Ava Kate McGeough.
In addition to the apparel and textiles department, fashion plays a part in everyone’s life.
Most students thought that fashion did play a role in femininity, depending on the person.
“I feel like fashion does play a role in femininity. When I put on a cute outfit and style it with cute accessories and shoes I feel confident. Though I feel confident when I put a cute fashionable outfit on, I don’t feel like it’s an everyday necessity to feel feminine. When I’m going out I do like to dress up and put myself together, but it’s only for certain occasions,” said Deanna Lacey.
Fashion is personal when it comes to femininity. “I believe fashion plays a role in femininity depending on the person. I personally show my femininity through my fashion choices but know that many others do not,” said Emma Korby. Some use fashion to show off more of their feminine side. “Yes fashion plays a role in femininity, what you wear can indicate how feminine you are,” said Natalia Gonzales.
In addition to fashion playing a role in femininity, most people’s sense of fashion will change over time, even over a short period of time.
“Fashion has drastically changed with age, I used to put Justice on a pedestal and think it was the greatest clothing of all time. I now take back all the comments my younger self said about Justice because in my opinion it was horrendous… now I prefer neutrals and basics that can be worn differently and my views on fashion have changed so much as I’ve matured and grown up,” said Deanna Lacey.
Does fashion play a role in femininity?
“I feel like fashion does play a role in femininity. When I put on a cute outfit and style it with cute accessories and shoes I feel confident. Though I feel confident when I put a cute fashionable outfit on, I don’t feel like it’s an everyday necessity to feel feminine. When I’m going out I do like to dress up and put myself together, but it’s only for certain occasions.”-Deanna Lacey
“I believe fashion plays a role in femininity depending on the person. I personally show my femininity through my fashion choices but know that many others do not.”-Emma Korby
“Yes fashion plays a role in femininity, what you wear can indicate how feminine you are.”-Natalia Gonzales
What does fashion mean to you?
“Fashion to me is a way of expressing myself in my clothing and accessories.”-Deanna Lacey
“Fashion to me is a hobby and a way of expression. I have created a hobby out of it by keeping up with what’s new and trying to put my own spin on it.”-Emma Korby
“Fashion to me is clothing/accessories that are currently trending or were trending at some point.”- Natalia Gonzales
Has your mindset of fashion changed with age?
“Fashion has drastically changed with age, I used to put Justice on a pedestal and think it was the greatest clothing of all time. I now take back all the comments my younger self said about Justice because in my opinion it was horrendous… now I prefer neutrals and basics that can be worn differently and my views on fashion have changed so much as I’ve matured and grown up.”-Deanna Lacey
“My mindset with fashion has evolved greatly over the years primarily with my focus. As years have gone by I have found more passion for fashion.”-Emma Korby
“My mindset of fashion has changed over time as I have had changing opinions on what I think is fashionable as I have gotten older.”-Natalia Gonzales
What are some of your favorite fashion trends?
“Honestly, one of my favorite fashion trends is sneakers to dress down a cute outfit (which is still so cute), sneakers keep me comfortable while still expressing myself and being cute and I think that’s an important fashion focus. Comfy > uncomfortable.”-Deanna Lacey
“Some of my favorite fashion trends have to do with the ones that are effortless. I am loving the slick back trend right now as well as the slouchy shirts.”-Emma Korby
“Some of my favorite fashion trends currently are skirts, accessorizing with jewelry, and sneakers.”- Natalia Gonzalez
What is campus fashion to you?
“Campus fashion to me is comfy/casual. Athletic clothing is the epitome of campus fashion and I’m here for it. I’ll see other girls outfits and how athletic shorts and leggings are styled with comfy sneakers and I absolutely love it. It’s important to be comfortable in your classes and walks around campus and I love seeing athletic clothing styled so well and casually while still looking super cute.”-Deanna Lacey
“Campus fashion to me is not my form of expression. My fashion in my day to day on campus shows comfort with minimal style.”-Emma Korby
“Campus fashion to me means wearing things that are currently cute, trendy, and comfy to class.”-Natalia Gonzales
What do you see yourself wearing in 5 years?
“Personally, I see myself styling scrubs in the next 5 years. I am planning to work in the medical field and have the greatest desire to be comfortable while working, and there are so many cute ways to style scrubs (cute sneakers, under scrubs, sweatshirts, accessories, etc.). Overall fashion plays a huge role in femininity, it is not necessary, but it empowers people and allows them to express themselves. My style choices reflect cute and comfortable, because if I’m not comfortable I’m not going to enjoy my outfit!”-Deanna Lacey
“In 5 years based on previous trends with my fashion choices I see myself wearing what is trending in that time. Although I see myself keeping up with the trends I wonder if my busy life will get in the way.”-Emma Korby
“In 5 years I can see myself wearing business clothes to work and casual clothes anywhere else.”-Natalia Gonzales
How does fashion play a role in femininity to you?
“I would say that I express my femininity through my clothes by wearing things that make me feel confident. There’s some sort of feeling when wearing a dress or a skirt that makes me feel so woman. I like wearing like big pants and tiny shirts and it just makes me feel so woman and like powerful. Like when I’m wearing the right outfit I start to walk like I’m on a catwalk.”-Ava Kate McGeough
What has been your favorite project?
“my favorite project at UA so far has been designer research, it’s where you get assigned 6 designers from all over the world and you have to find out their style and diffusion lines and their runway pictures.”-Ava Kate McGeough
What is the most challenging aspect of fashion/design?
“The most challenging aspect of being an apparel and textiles major is definitely grasping the concept of the fashion world. People assume that it’s such an easy major and that you won’t get a real job after graduation but the work that goes into fashion is insane. The levels in fashion retailing alone aren’t even fully explained to us because they change so much. One of the hardest parts of the major is dealing with the backlash from other majors.”-Ava Kate McGeough
What are some of your favorite fashion trends/tips?
“I love love love cowboy boots and the old western cowgirl style. Some of my favorite fashion tips are the sandwich method where your shoes and your top are the same colors to bring some cohesiveness to your outfit. I also love the half tuck into the bra to give a basic shirt some dimension.”-Ava Kate McGeough
What’s your biggest fashion disaster?
“OMG my biggest fashion disaster was for a full year I only wore sweatshirts lululemon leggings and my hair pulled slick back into a high pony tail, I kid you not every single day I wore that.”-Ava Kate McGeough
