Last week, it got pretty warm on campus. The new and improved weather had us acting like we didn’t know it was still below 60 degrees. People were wearing no coats or big boots — not even hats or gloves.
I loved the warmer weather, though I tried to stay conscious of the fact that it was still breezy and wasn’t as warm as I wanted it to be in my head. During this kind of weather, where it is slightly warm but the sun isn’t quite out and the wind is whipping, I have some practical outfit staples. My fleece-lined leggings, a hat or beanie, scarf, fingerless gloves and leg warmers are my biggest wardrobe essentials.
I mean, a good pair of jeans or leggings is pleasant too, but fleece-lined leggings can be incredibly helpful for students and staff who want to wear shorts, skirts or dresses in this weather. They keep your legs warm while still being practical. A hat or beanie can be warm for really any weather. A hat of some sort can help keep your hair neat (or give you “hat head”) and keep your ears warm from the wind passing through. Scarves, fingerless gloves and leg warmers are also very helpful for similar reasons. All of these things can add to your outfit and keep you appropriately warm throughout this transition into spring.
During some downtime on the warm(ish) day of Thursday, Feb. 19, I walked around the Henderson Campus Center and asked students the question of the week: “What are you wearing and why?”
Rae Queen, ’29, wore a very cool, intricately designed quarter-zip sweater.
“I’m wearing the sweater because I thrifted it recently,” Queen said. “I really like the colors.”
I totally agree with them. The blue, red, orange and purple colors in the design are really eye-catching. You know that feeling when you see a piece of clothing and think, “Wow, I know exactly who would look so cool in this?” Well, that sweater fits Queen so well. Their deep red hair, style and cute bangs fit together. In just this short interaction, I can tell they have a good sense of fashion.
Kylie Kolenc, ’29, just like Queen, also seemed to have a great sense of style and fashion. Kolenc wore a vintage purple shirt, baggy blue jeans and a simple pendant necklace. The shirt Kolenc wore is a shirt I would definitely pull off the rack myself. The simplicity of style yet intricate design on the shirt makes me want to borrow that shirt and “lose it.” ( Just kidding!) Kolenc said she stole the top from her mom.
“I don’t know really where it came from because it’s old,” Kolenc said. “But
it’s awesome, and it’s purple, and it matches my hair and my shoes.”
You heard it here first, folks: some of the best clothes are from your mom’s closet. Kolenc’s shirt — or I guess her mom’s shirt — takes me back a few years and puts a spin on vintage wear. Queen and Kolenc walking into the campus center was a sight to see; their two contrasting styles complemented their personalities and features.
Maddie Menke, ’26, wore an outfit I rate five out of five stars because if you know me, you know I love a good monocolor outfit.
“I’m wearing a pair of brown Tasman Uggs, some cream waffle pants and a kind of creamish sweater with my sorority letters on it, and then I’m wearing another off-white puffer vest,” Menke said.
Menke did an outstanding job at complementing the different silhouettes of the clothing pieces and balancing the weather with fashion.
When I asked Menke why she chose to wear that outfit, she said, “I like the warm weather, and I don’t have to wear a jacket on top — just the vest is nice, and I like the colors together.”
The puffer vest was a very practical and good option for the weather we were having. I don’t own a puffer vest. If I did, I think it would be a silhouette I would struggle to style, with it being so long and boxy occasionally. But Menke did an impressive job at styling her outfit and staying appropriate to the weather outside.
I believe that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the warmer weather. I can tell by the outfits I saw. The three people I talked to for the paper this week had great style and were a great example of wearing what you want and dressing for warmer weather here on campus. I’m really impressed with the durability of Allegheny students and their perseverance to disregard the still cooler weather. Make sure you remember some of my staples of clothing that could keep you from getting a cold or worse!
