International Love

Throughout my year here I noticed several different things about the fashion on campus here compared to my campus back in the UK.

I thought I would share my findings. Some aspects of campus style took some getting used to - namely not wearing heels and dresses every time I went to bars - but I adapted and learned to love the laid-back style that the UIUC campus embraces.


1. Backpacks

One thing I noticed when heading to class the first day was the ubiquitous use of backpacks as the bag of choice - for boys and girls. Feeling slightly out of place with my Longchamp shoulder bag, I looked around a sea of brightly colored and patterned backpacks (see above, Vera Bradley).
And honestly, I didn't hate them. It's an absolute rarity to see college girls in the UK wear backpacks but I fell in love with the trend here.


2. Sperrys

Otherwise known as boat shoes, I noticed an equal amount of girls and guys wearing these. Almost all of my American girl friends had a pair of Sperrys in their closet. Comfy, casual and stylish, I almost bought a pair before thinking: would I wear them in the UK? Answer: probably not.


3. Rain boots

Known as 'wellies' in the UK (short for wellington boot), the main reason for people to wear these in the UK is either country walking, or during festival season because, yes, British weather never fails to supply music festivals with endless rain and turn them into mud baths. On campus here though, the slightest drop of rain is a good enough excuse to bring them out, teamed with leggings and a big hoodie or crew neck sweater. I saw plenty of patterned rain boots too - not everyone stuck to the Hunter-esque plain boot. Good job I already had some with me - admittedly bought for Leeds music festival in 2009.


4. TOMS

I love TOMS. If I had enough room I would bring a pair home in my suitcase... but I don't. Luckily enough though they are sold in the UK. These were all over campus, and I didn't object. The shoe comes in every color or pattern you can imagine, and they're so comfy (I have tried many a pair on during the course of the year). I also love the philanthropy behind the brand: if you buy a pair of TOMS, a pair of shoes will then be donated to a child in need - it's the TOMS One for One motto. They'll take on in the UK soon enough.


5. Wristlets

A lot of girls I met had a wristlet, or several - simpler than a handbag and easier to carry around. Loved this trend (see above, Vera Bradley). On my campus in the UK though it's handbags all the way.


6. Going out style

In one word: lax. Heels, short skirts, fake tan... nowhere to be seen. For a night out I would find myself wearing jeans, a cute top, leather jacket, and flats or boots. Et voila. My feet are so used to not wearing heels now (and being able to dance all night) that I dread having to wear them again every night next year. For the whole two semesters I was here, I wore heels no more than five times - and strictly on special occasions.


7. University pride

I have rarely seen people on my campus in the UK wearing t-shirts or hoodies with the name of our university on it - unless they are foreign. Here, though, is a different story. Pride is EVERYWHERE. You'll see countless people wearing University of Illinois t-shirts/ hoodies/ sweatpants. I own about five t-shirts myself, and am thinking of buying a sweater before I leave. I love how it's just the norm here. I wear my t-shirts all the time - like the one above that I cut into a tank - and I will continue to do so on return to the UK.

8. Class etiquette

There were a small portion of girls who dressed up for class, but I went with the flow and found myself going for a chilled combo: flip-flops (weather permitting), leggings, a hoodie, and yes, a handbag (just because I didn't want to invest in a backpack). More common than hoodies though were black North Face fleece jackets. I can't even count how many people I saw swearing one. As common as Sperrys were, all around campus you would see people wearing North Faces.


Overall findings...

• I found that campus fashion in the UK is more try hard and quirky. Yes, there are a lot of people that wear sweats and chilled clothes to class, but an equal amount put real thought into their outfit and go to class more dressed up, only semi-casual
• Less girls wear sweats to class in the UK; yet less girls wear UGGs to class here
• I enjoy being able to feel my feet after a night out, therefore love wearing flats to the bar. Heels are great but only once in a while
• I think that I prefer campus style here in Illinois. There is no pressure to impress with clothes - anything goes. The chilled look is always the go-to look. After living in a sorority house with over 50 girls, I saw different styles and outfits everyday but they weren't exhuming that "I tried super hard today" vibe that I sometimes get from my campus in the UK, and I liked it.

- A.T.