Jai’den Smith
Variety Editor
Fashion is a fun and expressive way to showcase individuality and style.
A college campus is a perfect place if you’re looking for creative individuals, thirsty to show off their unique styles and looks.
Jackson State University is notorious for housing hundreds of young adults looking for ways to express themselves, and fashion serves as the main outlet for their creativity.
With the cold weather moving out and warm weather gradually taking over campus, what is a better time to showcase their style and uniqueness than springtime?
Joshua Edwards, a senior journalism and media studies major from Tulsa, Okla., expressed how his fashion choices reflect his past experiences.
“Fashion is meant to be fun. I’ve been through so much and those obstacles have helped mold my style,” stated Edwards, the current Mister JSU. “From being bullied to not being able to cope with all the latest trends. My style reflects how I made the best out of bad circumstances. My self-love journey inspires my love for fashion.”
His love for fashion also comes with a few pet peeves. Edwards hates how trendy clothing can become and how clothing choices can become repetitive.
“I feel like social media has become oversaturated with the same look,” he stated. “When people wear Rick Owens, they execute them the same way. Haven’t seen much creativity with them. That goes for a lot of other brands too.”
When reflecting on his favorite season for fashion, Edwards said winter because he believes that layering provides more opportunity for creativity.
He specifically loves boots and finds many ways to incorporate them into his wardrobe.
“I’ve been a boot fan, but I’ve noticed boots have become very trendy. They’re very diverse. You can dress them up or down depending on the style of the boots. Especially Doc Martens,” he said.
Edwards said he is also a fan of another trendy piece, sunglasses because accessories are what can elevate a look.
“Sunglasses provide that perfect touch a look is needing. They don’t do too much, they do just enough. They’re a perfect way to add a pop of color too,” he stated.
Edwards’ final tip for those who wish to pursue different looks of fashion is, “Be you, and don’t be afraid to try new things.”
While Edwards stated his dislike for media fashion, Kennedy Larkins, a freshman, biology pre-medicine major, from Memphis, Tenn., is the opposite.
Larkins gains fashion inspiration from various celebrities and media outlets.
“What inspires my love for fashion is magazines and celebrities,” stated Larkins. “I follow an Instagram page Peerless Magazine and I love them! Also, Pinterest is inspiring. I grew up with Pinterest so I knew I could relate & find my style through it.”
Larkins said spring was her favorite season for fashion because of the vibrant colors and spring-specific clothing options.
“I love the colors and the accessories to show off. I can pull off a sundress with sneakers and a cute hat with sunglasses, makes a fabulous statement” Larkins said.
She is also against the excessive use of trendy fashion. She believes that just because a certain item is trending, doesn’t mean it should always be worn. She gave an example of this situation by mentioning the trend of mom jeans.
“As a girl with curves, mom jeans are not my thing and don’t shape my body right. But it may fit someone with a gorgeous and fitting figure. I buy clothes that follow my body type”, Larkins stated.
While some people use fashion as a creative outlet, others use it for a sense of happiness.
Zoe Turner, a junior psychology major from Tampa, Fla., claimed that her love for shopping causes a sense of happiness.
“If it makes me feel good to wear then I should wear it,” stated Turner. “Because if I look good, I feel good.”
She loves the freedom that fashion gives her and how it allows her to use clothes as a way to express herself.
Fashion can be expressed from the smallest choices like what shoestrings to wear to the biggest ones like what brands are popular at the time.
Regardless of the choice, it offers a way for students to express themselves in their own way.
