Tweet

Young adults across the nation are breaking fashion norms, using clothing to express themselves and show their true personalities. According to The New York Times, young professionals are dressing less professionally and breaking clothing policies. In an article titled, “Who Wears Crop Tops to the Office?” young employees are said to be dressing less professionally and are going against office policies, dressing to put their personalities on display. 

Various fashion tastes are represented throughout Grand View, some dress to express their personality or to feel the most comfortable. Ethan Overton, a junior studying Theology and Theater Arts, is known around GV for his fashion choices. He expresses himself through his clothing by wearing jeans, t-shirts, and cowboy boots most days, but he can often be found wearing a suit, at least one day a week. Overton said he believes clothes are a way for people to express themselves and influence their attitude for the day. 

“I wear suits because I feel like at least one day a week I need a pick me up. If I look good then I feel good type of day,” Overton said. 

Overton also sees fashion as a tool to view other people’s personalities. 

“I’m interested in fashion in a sense that I like seeing how others use fashion to express themselves,” Overton said.  

Arianna Bernal, a first-year student at GV said she enjoys the freedom to wear whatever she wants. Now that she is in college, she wears whatever she is feeling for that day. She has two unique styles, ‘western’ and ‘sportwear.’ For example, when she dresses ‘western,’ she wears jeans and boots and when she dresses comfier, she wears leggings and a t-shirt. She feels that fashion has helped her connect with others because outfits reflect people’s personalities.  Bernal did not always have the freedom growing up to express her personality through her clothing choices. 

“I grew up going to a Catholic school where we had to wear a uniform and we couldn’t get to know a person and what they like fashion-wise because it was always a polo and khakis,” Bernal said.  

At GV, students can dress however they want for class. There is no policy or guidelines for students’ outfit choices. Although there are no policies, there are fashion trends between specific majors or departments that students have noticed.

“Theater kids tend to be more expressive with their fashion and clothing,” Overton said. “They have found a way to be expressive in the theater and most of the time that is done with clothing.” 

Although many students try to express their personalities through their outfit choices, others across campus think comfort is the most important thing when choosing an outfit. Bernal thinks that with having to walk across campus for classes it is important to dress comfortably, and she has noticed many other students do too. 

“Most everyone wears joggers, sweatpants, leggings, and just comfy clothes,” Bernal said.

Although Bernal dresses comfortably most of the time, she dresses up on special occasions. She usually makes her outfit adhere to the event she is attending. On the days she has dressed up, Bernal feels that she gets noticed by peers on campus more. 

“People notice you more when you dress up. I get more compliments when I dress up,” Bernal said. 

With a new university president, some changes are being made to current policies. There are changes being made to the GV staff dress code policy. Staff are now required to dress more professionally, and additional requirements will be added to the current policy. Bernal is glad there is not a student policy being added because she says restrictions would mean people cannot express themselves. 

“I think if GV were to do a dress policy or code for students I think that would take a lot of how students express themselves away,” Bernal said.

As the colder months approach, students must also consider the weather with their outfit choices now. The climate in Iowa requires a variety of clothing. Some students have begun wearing coats, long pants, and winter accessories such as mittens and a hat. Whether students dress for comfort or to show their unique personalities, various fashion trends are represented well throughout campus.