Thursday
It was unlucky for journalism student Steven Dolan to have two midterms today. It is lucky for USM readers to see him coping with his ill fate by going overboard with colors.
“Today should be a gloomy day by all means,” Dolan said. “But I am fighting it and am trying to not take the world too seriously.”
He added that he has been wearing too much black lately and needed to break out of that groove. He said that his outfit could best be described as a color explosion. A hallucinogenic drug explosion at that.
Although Dolan has embraced a very eccentric style, he has not given up the practicality of a more conservative outfit. He said that he wanted to be comfortable during his midterms and wore a thick-knit sweater for this purpose.
“It makes me think about lying around the house, reading a book and drinking tea,” he said.
And with all the stresses of student life, a little digression is sometimes needed. Dolan has a couple items on his person that hearken back to a simpler time in his life and can help to make things seem not so serious.
“I just think this butterfly necklace is fun,” he added.
Monday
Anthropology student Liz Pleasant works at Private Screening, a thrift store in Fremont. So naturally she gets first pick of the clothes coming through the store.
She said that she usually looks for clothing to build a ’50s or ’60s inspired fashion.
“I really like floral patterns,” Pleasant said. “Or basically anything that has a leopard print.”
I really liked the textures that her outfit had. If one just moves from the bottom of the outfit to the top, the USM reader encounters a plethora of textures. From the blue suede shoes on up, the viewer can imagine what the material would feel like. The rip in the tights adds a frayed feeling, the coat a plush feeling and her bob hairdoo complements the rest.
(Not pictured is her bead embroidered blouse that gave a rough texture, not present in the other materials)
Pleasant said she relies on her friends for inspiration and borrows clothing to build outfits.
“This leopard coat was actually a roommates,” she said. “I was wearing it so much she just eneded up giving it to me.”
Previous Thirftstore Coverage—University Profile: Thrift Store Owner
Friday
If there is one thing that physiology student Garry Alcedo would like to tell USM readers, it’s that fashion really isn’t as hard as it may seem.
“I am in pre-med and other students usually just wear sweatpants to class; There is really no excuse for this,” he said. “Fashion doesn’t take that much time. I spent maybe 10 minutes this morning on my outfit.”
I feel that this relaxed attitude about style has translated well into a casual look that maintains an air of formality that sets Alcedo apart from his sweatpants-clad peers.
“On other fashion blogs like The Sartorialist, I like preppy looks that are youthful and yet classic,” Alcedo added. “I am still 21 years old, I don’t want to look like a grandpa.”
And although Alcedo’s style may be simple and easy, details in the clothes are not lost on him. Each item shows a certain care and thought process, that maybe not noticed on first glance, lend to the overall impression. Rolled up pantlegs and lack of socks aid the boatshoe look; relaxed pants and the sweater look sharp, yet comfortable; the large buttons and buttoned-up shirt draw attention up; plus the glasses make anyone look extra smart.
Thursday
USM is back and starting a new school year here in Seattle. I am not sure how things will develop, whether a new format for my fashion photoblogging will emerge or if I will stick to what is tried and tested. I do know, however, that I am glad to be taking photos of the styles in the U-District again.
Zai Robertson embodies USM’s transition, but does so with an air of certainty that is a reassurance to myself. His style is one of “calculated degradation,” as most of his clothes are tattered and have holes in them. His outfit is both classic and modern; It is old and yet up-to-date.
“Most of my clothes were given to me by friends and ex-girlfriends,” Robertson said. “I don’t mind that they are falling apart.”
He went on to admit that, yes, he does consider himself a hipster, but will be the first to admit that he is comfortable being called one.
“I am the average hipster,” he said. “Looking like something is easy. Part of being a hipster is denying. But I am not going to fool myself and I am getting over myself.”
It is this certainty that I found to be refreshing. When I first approached Robertson, he jokingly told me I was “confirming his narcissism,” but I thought him to be something quite different from narcissistic; He was contented.
Robertson showed content when he explained that oxygen inspires his fashion. While at first I found this somewhat lofty, he went on to explain his style as a respiration and was like breathing. This can be interpreted a number of ways, such as: his fashion is recycled, like air; his clothes look literally airy (with holes and tears); or he makes fashion look as simple and mundane as breathing. Whatever the reason for Robertson’s outfit, I found it assured me to be content and come to terms with our fashion and who we are (or what USM is) and was a breath of fresh air.
“I just think it is funny that I smoke,” he added.
Wednesday
As founder of UW’s Hip Hop Student Association, Mikeskee Huang knows a thing or two about street fashion. I caught him in Red Square near the beginning of the quarter rocking some classic winter black and white. Since I was on my way to class, I asked Mikeskee if he would take the time to write a few words on what hip hop and street fashion at large mean to him.
“Fashion to me is somewhat captured by this quote… ‘Fashion is my armor in this battle for identity’.” Mikeskee explained that each article of clothing he wears represents one part of his identity. His H&M skinny jeans, for example, are there both to emphasize his “Taxi Cab” Jordan XIIs, and as a nod to his b-boy roots.
“The layered coats … are neutral colors to not take away from what I wish to emphasize (cap, shirt, sneakers).” Just goes to show that there are a lot of different ways to interpret an outfit.
Click here to read Mikeskee’s views on hip hop culture and b-boy steez, the evolution of fashion and his own personal style, as well as notes on what he wore for this image.
Wednesday
I met Camilla (33) and Ingeborg (2 1/2) on a bridge over the Århus Canal in the center of town. I first noticed Camilla from behind as she showed her daughter things in the water. She was wearing a pair of pants that she called “Hænge Røv Bukser” (or hanging ass pants). I’ve seen these pants on so many Danes since I arrived in Århus.
“I go around and look at people and the boutiques,” Camilla said of her inspiration for her outfit. She added that a lot of people are wearing a similar combination of boots and these baggy pants. The way she wore the two, aided by the darker colors, reminded me of a horse-rider’s outfit.
Camilla’s knitted top stressed the time of year and the necessity to stay warm.I have also seen a lot of Danes experimenting with ways to drape large garments around their shoulders to stay warm, but also as a fashionable item. I have seen some that look as if they have taken a rug from home and wrapped it around themselves.
I asked Camilla if she liked to dress little Ingeborg similarly. She replied that her daughter’s fashion is usually more contained than her own, but added that she thinks it is important for her child to look smart and to be comfortable.
Camilla finished by saying: “It is very hard to dress in the winter. But once it gets warmer, people are able to be more fashionable.” If this holds true, USM readers will have much to look forward to.
Friday
We at USM are greatly saddened by the shooting of Miles Allen Murphy (22)—featured last October on our website. While I wouldn’t like to speculate on the incident that occurred last night, I would like to remember Miles based on the brief encounter I had with him in Red Square.
I remember him as extremely well-mannered and nice. He came off with a bit of a swagger, but I understood this to be part of his eccentric character that led him to create such an interesting fashion for our readers. Miles was a glimpse into the past amid modernity; I described him as a “time machine.” His love of European history and language came through when he told me he had spent time studying in Linnkoping, Sweden
So, while I did not know Miles, I am greatly appreciatitive for the few minutes I had with him. Contributing to this project has afforded me the awesome oppurtunity to meet people I otherwise wouldn’t, via their fashion. Thank you to all who have taken the time to be featured on this website. Rest in peace Miles.
-Nikolaj
Link to Seattle Times article
Thursday
Dear readers,
University Street Meet would like to wish all of you the very best during the holidays. We would also like to take this oppurtunity to inform you that change is on the way! All the photographers are currently on break from school and haven’t had much chance to bring you new street fashions. But, we have been working hard, designing a new website and reconceptualizing our mission. The new site will give us more control over content, allowing us to expand into more of a magazine approach. Give us feedback as soon as the website is up and running, and let us know what you think about it.
So, from all of us here at USM, have a very merry Christmas and look forward to the New Year!
Saturday
Here is a picture to inspire our reader’s Christmas fashion. I found Julian (21) at the central train station in Copenhagen as he was on his way to Sweden and as I was heading out into the Danish countryside.
“This is total Christmas fashion,” said Julian. “I don’t have my leg warmers and my santa handbag with me, but they are part of the outfit.”
Julian shows how one can incorporate an old Christmas sweater into holiday fashions. I like how he plays with proportions, mixing an oversized sweater with skinny jeans.
Sunday
The winter weather has left a slight dusting of snow on the ground in Seattle. Anthony (23) and Andrew (22) dressed for the cold when I met them on the street.
“I’m just trying to stay warm,” said Andrew (right). “This winter try layering. I am going off of a Maxim magazine suggestion on how to jump start your winter wardrobe for under $5,000.”
“I actually recycle some of my summer stuff,” added Anthony. “I just layer it to stay warm.”
On Anthony: Keds, Cheap Monday
On Andrew: Blackbird, Banana Republic
